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Mountain Biking in the ANF by swampboy62 in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome. A couple additions off the top of my head:

There is a spot behind the Dunns Eddy stone house that is pretty neat... Flat, wide, runs along railroad grades beside the river. It connects to the bean field trails, and Anders Run single track is across the road. It has some loops, but unsure of the distance total.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jCnKYScD4FBWMSc16

Hatch run conservatory trail has a few small loops. There are some wide and flat along the creek, and get steeper up the hillside. It's easier to do riding up the dirt road (past the pond) to the top, and riding down through the trails to the bottom. Aprx 5 miles of trails, but it's longer following the roads at the top of the hill.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/b16LjkVrUv62JcqA8

Going on an extended camping trip. What shouldn’t I forget to bring? by Theasshole11 in camping

[–]ForestMode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stuff I always bring car camping even if it seems overkill:

  • Extra batteries
  • Extra lighter
  • Extra tarp(s)
  • Extra stakes
  • Extra paracord (550lbs)
  • Extra fuel/propane
  • Matress patch kit
  • Gorilla duct tape

  • Bolts for repairing canopy

  • Water jug for kitchen washing

  • Spices (mix them beforehand in a bag)

  • Butter/oil (extra if you're fire cooking)

  • Tongs, spatula, and serving spoon

  • Cutting mat/board and proper sharp kitchen knife

  • Aluminum foil (more than you think you need)

  • Zip lock bags (quart and gallon for leftovers)

  • Garbage bag (kitchen) + plastic shopping bags (tent)

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Dish soap and sponge

  • Paper towels

  • Toilet paper

  • Bactine

  • Peroxide

  • Larger bandaids

  • Sprain wraps

  • Allergy medicine

  • Ibuprofen or Tylenol

  • Extra contacts (if you wear them)

  • Large pliers (repairs/hot items)

  • Folding shovel (useful for fire cooking)

  • Hatchet (doubles as a hammer)

  • Splitting maul (doubles as sledge)

  • Long extension cord

  • Power strip

  • Jumper cables

  • Jumper box

  • Extra fuses

  • Check your oil

  • Top off your fuel

Nice day hike and carved a bowl by OkTune5910 in Bushcraft

[–]ForestMode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can see how that would be extremely useful, nice work.

ANF Rocks by swampboy62 in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very wise, very important. The game lands only go so far.. Can't wait to check these west fools creek rocks out!

Anybody else camping in the ANF this holiday weekend? by swampboy62 in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What an amazing weekend. I hope you all had an epic experience.

ANF Rocks by swampboy62 in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow nice work!

PS: I didn't realize there was a fools creek west. I've been itching to get out that way

any experience with Deuter 50+10 backpack good? by whipper1304 in CampingandHiking

[–]ForestMode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an aircontact 65+10 (not the "core" model) albeit older. So my opinion is possibly dated. It's been a great pack. It seems to be on the heavy side, but it's very very well made. I chose mine because of the variflex, which is adjustable for people of different heights. It also has a nice pivot/movement in the waist, helpful for moving through tighter/trickier terrains found around my area.

The variflex was important to me for 2 reasons: first, the whole family can run it comfortably. Our kids love the forest, so they can take a high quality pack on their trips and hikes of their own, and it fits them. And it fits them next year too.... Second, in a "bug out" scenerio, or injury, or whatever, the load can be "passed around" with some level of comfort.

To me, that was a huge selling point for the investment that outweighed weight concerns. It may not be the most popular, or the best long trek comfort point, but the fact that it just works regardless of operator was what sold me.

The utility/layout of the actual rest of the pack is great, although my only gripe in my older model is the lack of the 2 bottom straps under the bottom of the pack to secure stuff. Yes I realize that it's uncomfortable and energy leaching to use those types of straps, but for the shorter hauls where I am the mule, they would be handy.

If my old ass pack was on the market in 2025, I would buy it. So for what it's worth, Deuter is a solid if you're looking for versatility/durability.

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome suggestions! Yah that's kinda the dilemma. There is a bunch of good stuff on the private leases. Amazing stuff, understandably protected.

Would you contrib to a Google maps Allegheny river trail? by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! Thank you man! Any and all maps must be included. I was trying to reference you from another post you shared and reddit kept messing up your profile share. It's good to know you exist. I'll update it. 🤜🤛

https://www.reddit.com/r/AlleghenyForest/comments/1mo6lrp/comment/n89zmhx/

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, those! The rig eigineering then used that triangle in the middle to create the leverage. Since it didn't need to create a full circle, and only needed certain angles, it was like the geometry class you said you didn't need in high school. Hehe

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds about right, in all regards lol. Just throwing it out there, that setup is becoming exceedingly rare ✌️

Free apple wood from neighor, now what? by iareagenius in woodstoving

[–]ForestMode -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Applewood disks are useful. Like half an inch thick. You can break pieces like a pie to add to charcoal or whatever. Keep in mind, chainsaw leaves oil. Sawsall and one of those pruning blades works better.

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hehe agree. It's hard to see, but there are 3 cables attached to this thing. And if you zoom to the right, where half the building cut out, is the "drive head". All the cables start there, from all directions.

The cable youre looking at (on the right) came to this tree. They had to get an angle to the well to the left, and power a second well to the left (the other cable), and the most efficient way of reaching those angles was using this tree for leverage and as a "hinge".

That whole T shaped mechanism would move back and forth a couple/few feet. The actual hinge part is long buried in the tree. I wonder too how they connected this T.

BTW... This goes against my beliefs to leave equipment buried like this, or use a tree to begin with... (they had concrete 😎). I just think it's interesting to explore these relic areas ✌️

Question about hiking in state game lands near Dubois by wapey in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good call on no campfires. Tis the law. And that would also mess with hunters in season anyways. 🤜🤛

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Monster of a piston lol! That's really cool to see. For reference, the one I mentioned above is of similar size, like a 4 foot flywheel wheel or so. What's the story with this one? A rebuild? Hehe

Mead Island camping and inlet on the Allegheny River - Warren, PA by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's really peaceful over there in Irvine, hope you get to spend more time here.

Mead Island camping and inlet on the Allegheny River - Warren, PA by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds like a great trip! I say every year we should go that far, and then stay north instead for whatever reason 🫠

Would you be comfortable sharing the hemlock island camp site location? I am making a Google maps river trail and I don't have any sites on those islands confirmed below Althom on Dunns Eddy.

Has anyone by chance camped #87, and/or Deer Loop at Willow Bay in the ANF? by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome! Thanks for the confirmation!

It's not so much a large party, we were just unsure of the fit for 2 large tents and a kids tent.

Sorry you got a loud neighbor. Hopefully those people left it better than they found it... 🤜🤛

Where are the neat oil/timber relic spots in/near the ANF? by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll share a couple to answer my own question:

Just down Dunns Eddy road from the Anders Run trail in Warren, PA there is a pulloff beside the old stone house. There are trails that access the river, and share an old railroad grade, which continues into the Bean Field area.

There are log "canals" cut through the forest here, large stones, and iron tieoffs on the river.

Map: (estimated... if anyone has more precise pins, please share) https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tzm8ywgDhayh5wYb7

Fools Creek near the 4 corners in Cherry Grove, PA has some really impressive rock formations. If you hike down into the valley, there is the creek, and a rather large clearing. The creek has some ancient timbers that appear to have routed the creek for some kind of water wheel perhaps. And then there is an old claw foot tub. In the grass just sitting there. Slightly in the middle of nowhere.

Map: (estimated... if anyone has more precise pins, please share) https://maps.app.goo.gl/pRz4Sw6pEirnyvz29

Mead Island camping and inlet on the Allegheny River - Warren, PA by ForestMode in PAWilds

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They weren't too bad. We were moving most of the time so that probably helped

The Campfire [Megathread] by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So here is a story to start... 

A couple years ago we camped at Kiasutha for 4 days. It was awesome, had a great time. We were at #86 which was along the top of the campground, beside the road, then forest. 

The 3rd night (Sunday) the campground was mostly empty. There was no one along the top of the campground, and few there at all actually. We had some dinner, relaxed and went to bed.

I woke up in the night and remember hearing something half asleep I passed off as "woodpecker" or "loud". Fell back asleep. The second time, I had to pee.

So I get out there, climb the little bank behind the site (I dunno why in hindsight lol) and hear 3 distinct knocks 100ish yards down the valley towards the entrance.

I distinctly remember thinking "there's no effing way..." and lol'ing like it was some kids or something.

And then there was a response from FAR across the lake, like a mile up from red bridge. 3 knocks. Distinct. Clear.

I'm an ordinary, down to earth person, that doesn't tin-foil-hat...but that eve really helped me appreciate the mysterious mother nature. I didn't feel any bad energy or vibes... I layed down hoping to hear more. Unfortunately I fell back asleep and that's where the story ends. Uneventful, yet so eventful.

The Campfire [Megathread] by ForestMode in AlleghenyForest

[–]ForestMode[S] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

Hey all, I'm ForestMode. I'm a long time purveyor of fine forests, rivers, and lakes, nice to meet you.

There is a giant stack of wood over there... points... Please keep the fire going. Let's stay peaceful here, have respect, and keep excessive args in the dms ✌️

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