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A Walk Along the Yough
By Producer, Kelly Meinhart

hile I'm generally one who enjoys finding the beauty in the small things, or in seeking the beautiful in unexpected places, the Youghiogheny River and the lands of the Ohiopyle State Park, through which it runs, are a destination that makes finding natural beauty and peace of mind an easy expedition.

utumn is the perfect time to visit the beautiful countryside of the Laurel Highlands in Western Pennsylvania, and the "Yough" is just one of the highlights. The park area resides primarily in Fayette County, and covers approximately 19,052 acres. Visitors to the park can enjoy the river from the safety of a 27mile stretch of trail that follows along the river. This trail is part of a larger trails system, the 70-mile long Youghiogheny River Trail, which is also part of the Great Allegheny Passage, a 152-mile trail linking Cumberland, MD with Pittsburgh, PA.

he Yough itself provides visitors with breathtaking views, waterfalls, ravines, and some of the best white-water rafting in the Eastern U.S. However, only experienced boaters should attempt the Yough, as the Class III and IV rapids make it a dangerous river to paddle. So, if you're interested, be sure to use extreme caution and review safety information about hazards to avoid -- or go with a guide.

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had the pleasure of "Walkin' the Yough" to take in the beautiful scenery and the fall foliage. I had been to the Laurel Highlands area and Ohiopyle State Park before, but this was my first adventure on the Yough trail. One of my first thoughts was how happy everyone was. Along the trail we met up with a variety of folks; walking their dogs, riding their bikes, backpacking - and every single person had a smile on their face, and not a care in the world. The Yough has that affect on you. The intensity and force of this natural wonder pulls your spirit into the water and takes over your senses, until you can't help but feel peaceful. As I sat on the shore overlooking the Ohiopyle Falls I felt as though I had left the world behind and began a new one at the Yough.

arther down river we visited the breathtaking Cucumber Falls and ravine. My friend and I sat on a huge tree that had fallen over at the bottom of the ravine and simply sat - -watching the water stream over the cliff. Studying our environment, we couldn't help but admire the unique geology of the ravine, and imagined what it must've been like so many years ago when the ravine began to form. Water has so many unique functions, characteristics, and creates some of nature's most unique landscapes.

here's much more to explore in the Ohiopyle State Park and along the Yough, so if you haven't been to the glorious Laurel Highlands area, take a trip - while the leaves are still in their full splendor!

A Thought of the Yough
By Nick Pinizzotto
Director, Western PA Conservancy's Watershed Assistance Center

iking along the Yough River in Ohio Pyle State Park is an uplifting experience, particularly during the the peak fall foliage season. One of Commonwealth's most beautiful river corridors, the Yough reminds us of what is so wonderful about Pennsylvania and it's waterways. She is an extremely
powerful river that gets her strength from hundreds of tributaries reaching across the Laurel Highlands, some of the state's most breathtaking country. She attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year such as kayakers, rafters, hikers, bikers and fly fishermen, many of which travel from other states. Despite her power and beauty, many of these tributaries are still scarred by coal mining, and many others suffer from more recent abuses such as increased development, accellerated erosion and excessive sediment loads. Perhaps that's what I love most about the Yough. She shows us how far we've come with regard to improving our waterways, but still reminds us of how far we have to go.

s wonderful as the Yough is though, in my mind, it is no more important than even the smallest of tributaries. A watershed is much more than the river it forms; it's an entire community of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, each relying on various resources within it to survive. By continuing to work together, improving damaged resources while protecting those that are intact, we will make a difference. We have accomplished exciting things in Pennsylvania, but ultimately, it is up to all of us as
individuals to steward our environment, whether it be by recycling, shoveling limestone, conducting a meeting or educating our communities, everyone has a significant role to play. It all starts with the person in the mirror.

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Fay-West On-line
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Youghiogheny River Sojourn
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
American Whitewater
Rails to Trails Conservancy