TRAIL REPORT FOR A PORTION OF SECTION 3 OF THE ALLEGHENY TRAIL   

               Between Gilden Hollow (MP 26.84) and MP 32.57 on Buckley Mtn. the trail is fairly clear of brush and blowdowns.  However, the addition of a new gate near the old gate near the top of the mountain at MP 28.44, may cause confusion based upon the description in the guidebook.  You must pass through the first gate, but not the second gate before you turn Left off of the gravel road.  

              At MP 32.57, the trail leaves a woods road in a fork, and ascends the ridgeline.  There are 15-year old clear cuts along each of the forks, but the Allegheny Trail between the forks is well timbered.  From MP 32.57 to MP 34.34 the trail follows the main ridgeline, but there are several blowdowns there, which combined with the fading blazes, may cause you to miss the trail at a few locations.  The descent into Beaver Creek gorge (MPs 34.34-35.04) is rough going with blowdowns, numerous switchbacks, overhanging brush, and sloughing tread.  Take your time to avoid accidentally following a deer trail or the original route of the old Buckley Mtn. Trail.  The trees in the vicinity of the bridge (MP 35.44) have grown enough to provide nice cover for a pleasant campsite near the bridge.  There is a nice hole of water in Beaver Creek just 300 yards or so downstream of the bridge.  Even in low flow periods the bedrock water hole is waist deep.  The ascent southward out of Beaver Creek is also a bit rough due to sloughing tread and overhanging great laurel, but it is relatively short, perhaps ¾ mile.

            At MP 37.64, the guidebook mistakenly identifies USFS Road #748 as Chicken House Run Road.  At MP 38.05 is where the trail almost reaches Chicken House Run Road, which becomes the North Boundary Road identified in the guidebook.  There are a very few, easily negotiable blowdowns between MP 38.05 and Beaver Creek Campground (MP 41.41), with a little encroachment of white pine branches between the Park North Entrance Road (MP 39.31) and the campground.  Be careful at MP 40.11 where the ALT leaves Laurel Ridge Trail when you are traveling N-S.  Faded blazes here may cause you to miss the Left turn.

SECTION 3 UPDATE, DECEMBER 2008

By Doug Wood

 In summer 2007 and March 2008, clearing was performed in the Beaver Creek Gorge Area and Watoga State Park between N-S MPs 30.84 and 41.11.  Some carsonite directional signs were placed between MPs 30.84 and 34.34.  Blazes were sparse at this time, except in Watoga State Park.

             During Wild Foods Weekend in November 2008, attendees worked on the Allegheny Trail atop Meadow Creek Mountain between milepoints 55.08 and 58.57.  The trail was cleared of some of its blowdowns, brushed, and blazed, so the markings are very clear at the moment.  Someone has been removing blowdowns via ATV on this portion of the trail, and this anonymous effort has kept the route open for easy walking.  North of MP 55.08, volunteer workers noted very few visible blazes, so pay close attention if you are traveling between Bear Branch and the top of Meadow Creek Mountain.  If you are traveling north on the mountain, watch carefully for the turn to the left off of Meadow Creek Mountain Trail.  A cell tower has been constructed in recent years at MP 56.53, where U.S. Forest Service Road no. 888 ends on the ridgeline of Meadow Creek Mountain.  This is not noted in the current issue of the trail guide since the tower was constructed after the guide was printed.  A vista eastward to Lake Sherwood now exists at approximate MP 55.60.  It is a magnificent view of a portion of the lake nestled between wooded mountains with white pine dominating the lakeshore and a variety of oaks and hickories on the slopes and ridgetops.  The mix of red, yellow, and green hues in late October and early November is awesome.