O.C.T. lower Youghiogheny River August 7 and 8

[bambam]

This post will be long, sorry.

There has been a lot of chatter flying around regarding this trip in my little Internet world. I like the enthusiasm. My role here is simply to coordinate the river trip on the lower Yough.

There are other paddling opportunities on other sections of this wonderful river as well as on other rivers in the area. Spinoff trips are invited, just please coordinate them yourselves.

The lower Youghiogheny River, the Yock, starts in Ohiopyle, PA, just below the waterfall and runs, ... , well I'm not sure how many miles as I'm having Internet hiccups at the moment but I think it's around six miles. If you take time to look away from the rapids then you might notice you are passing through a beautiful hardwood forest gorge.

Opinions vary. I consider it to be a solid class III big water run. When I say "big water" here I mean it's not a tight technical creek. It's a river with nice waves and yes, some holes to avoid. I know of one spot that is dangerous, "Dimple". If worried about that there is a line to the right that can be bumpy but it avoids the hazard plus there is an easy portage on the right.

My personal skill level criterion for moving up to the lower Yough was to feel comfy on the North Branch Potomac at Bloomington.

At this point I don't know if I'll be in a hard boat or a raft. I feel sure we'll have some hard boaters along who would be happy to help with lines.

Permits are required to paddle this run and the fees are small, as in well under $10 per day. More on that later.

For planning purposes I'll throw out a meet time of 11:00 in Ohiopyle on Saturday and 10:00 on Sunday. This is not cast in stone.


There is some advantage to purchasing permits en masse. We save some money but more importantly we get to paddle together.

Express an interest, we'll have a good time.

Cheers,

Ken Dubel

[Peter L]

I will be there both days paddling my Shredder (if I find a partner) or my duckie.

[bambam]

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There are other paddling opportunities on other sections of this wonderful river as well as on other rivers in the area. Spinoff trips are invited, just please coordinate them yourselves.

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Apologies, I didn't mean for that to sound as harsh as it may have. I'm happy to act as a resource regarding other streams in the area but I'm not all that familiar. I've run the middle Yough, the section above the falls, once. It's a pleasant float and, ... dang it, I keep getting server errors at American Whitewater or I'd add a link. The Casselman conflues (I SO wish that was a word) with the Yough not far above the falls. It's a little easier than the lower Yough but is quite low. The middle Yough on the other hand is part of the dam release and so should have decent flow.

Lodging ideas are scattered. Sorry. To be fair, we are all coming off (I pray) a pandemic so trusted systems and trusted minds are scattered too. Please have a look at Abbie's post regarding camping, below.

So far I have heard from around ten people for the lower Yough trip(s).

I'm easy to find at kendubel@gmail.com. I will have a busy work week ahead so don't expect quick replies during daytime working hours.

The permit process for the lower Yough is not a big deal. Hang in there, we will work it out.

Cheers,

Ken

[martha james]

I'm coming but don't plan on paddling the lower ( but would loveto raft). I'll paddle the middle if there is someone to lead it as I have never done it.

[Bill Capp]

I plan on joining the Lower Yough trip on Saturday, probably not Sunday.

[Jenny]

I'm in for the lower Yough on Sat. See you then.

[Peter L]

I be there both days, still need a Shredder Partner both days

[bambam]

At present we have around eight hard boaters and about as many again in inflatables.

Ken

[Barb]

Count Lee and I in for the lower. Thanks, Ken.

[Alicia]

Looking forward to it!
Happy to help with some lines for folks new to the river.

aj

[Paddle Daddy]

Count me in for Saturday.

[masonmairead]

Hi Ken,

I'll be there and would love to join the lower trip on Saturday 8/7. Thank you for organizing!

[bambam]

Lee, Barb, Alicia, Patrick, and Mason noted.

Mason, dunno if we've met. Please feel welcomed. Are you familiar with the run? Please reply here or do the private message thing.

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I was surprised that the Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) released as much water as they did last weekend. They are generous in providing whitewater when they can.

Cheers,

Ken

[bambam]

Thursday evening update.

Yikes, we're already up to around twenty hard boats and around ten inflatable boaters. Perhaps I should rephrase that, ten boaters in inflatables. This is turning into a party!

Yes, I plan to purchase blocks of river permits in the next few days. [Edit: Apparently the bus tokens are now part of the river permit thing. We'll work it out.] [No longer true: You will need to purchase bus tickets ($4, I think) when you get there.]

The meeting times suggested at the beginning of this thread are making some sense at this point so let's go with them. Meet at 11:00 on Saturday and 10:00 on Sunday. I realize this is later than some might like but it makes it easier for folks wanting to drive up on Saturday morning plus it tends to put us behind the crowds.

I am developing an email list. Anyone lurking needs to sing out to be on that list.

Cheers,

Ken

[paddlin_bill]

I agreed to lead a middle trip on Saturday, but I would love to be able to raft the lower on Sunday if there is space someplace.