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2 triplogs
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Oct 05 2022
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 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Twin Lakes TrailNorth Allegheny, PA
Twin Lakes Trail
North Allegheny, PA
Hiking avatar Oct 05 2022
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking8.03 Miles 642 AEG
Hiking8.03 Miles   3 Hrs   41 Mns   2.18 mph
642 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Mill Creek Trail
Partners none no partners
2nd hike of the trip to camp. 7 years ago we went up to the Twin Lakes area looking for this trail and couldn't find it. This time I made a track from Route Editor and found it. the hike started on the Black Cherry loop, which then connects to the Twin Lakes Trail. Twin Lakes is 16 miles one way and it doesn't appear that there are any trailheads along the way in the middle. We took Twin Lakes to its junction with the Mill Creek Trail, which I had hiked most of this past July. We hiked to my turnaround point from July, then then hiked another section of Twin Lakes to the west until it reached a road. I was hoping for an area I could park one day, but had no luck.

the start of the hike was in heavy pines, so it was so dark that i needed a flash to get a decent picture, even at 10am on a clear day. the Mill Creek Trail and western part of the Twin Peaks trail had the most color, which looked much nicer since it was lit up by the clear skies and sun.

The beginning of the Twin Peaks trail isn't marked all that well. It crosses some old dirt roads and the junctions are very easy to miss, which we did. fortunately on the way back I figured it out and ended up hiking the entirety of the actual trail along that segment. that wasn't bad since it made the hike out and back less monotonous. Once we got back to the Black Cherry Loop, we hiked the rest of that loop and took the road back to the car.

Dmitri said his legs were getting sore at the end since by that point he had done 15 miles in 2 days, but he made it through and did well. He had the old man walk for a bit getting out of the car, but was fine the next day. Nice to get a real fall hike in, complete with lots of color and chilly temps.
_____________________
 
Jul 21 2022
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Mill Creek TrailNorth Allegheny, PA
Mill Creek Trail
North Allegheny, PA
Hiking avatar Jul 21 2022
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking10.20 Miles 793 AEG
Hiking10.20 Miles   4 Hrs   48 Mns   2.13 mph
793 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Made a trip back to PA to visit friends and family, and also to get work done on the deer hunting camp that’s been in my family for the last 72 years. It was bought on 2 acres of land by my grandfather, my great uncle (his brother-in-law) and their friend in 1950. Over the decades it passed down a generation to my mother and uncles. The last 30 years only one uncle took care of it and six years ago he died unexpectedly. It took my family 5 years to decide what to do with it. I was given the offer to have it gifted to me and buy out a cousin’s small share. The good thing about the 5 year wait was that it gave me the opportunity to pay off my house to take this on. The bad thing about the 5 year wait was having to clear the lot from the overgrowth and clean up the inside of the camp.

After 3 days straight of getting things in order, I was ready for a hike nearby. I decided on the Mill Creek Trail, which was right next to the Brush Hollow loops that my family and I did back in 2013. The Brush Hollow loops then were rather overgrown with high grass, making the hiking not the most pleasant. This time I lucked out and more maintenance had been done. After about a mile, the ferns were a little taller for a bit, but then the trail became very easy to follow and to hike. For the most part it’s level, with moderate ups and downs. Lots of greens, ferns, tall trees and shade. I got just over 5 miles in and turned around. I found a trailhead nearby at Twin Lakes that connects to this trail so I can hike to where I left off someday. The temperature was pretty cool, in the lower 70s the entire time. Didn’t need much water and barely broke a sweat. Saw one deer on my way back.

One the way back to camp, I stopped in Ridgway to have lunch at the Brew Bank, a new microbrewery that used to the main bank in Ridgway way back when. The old bank vault is now a cooler to store their beer. The food I ordered was easily the best meal I’ve ever had in Ridgway in 50 years, and the beers weren’t bad either.
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average hiking speed 2.15 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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