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Enlow to Groveton 11.0 miles Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level II-III 22/33 Tiny
(29/48) C/B Topographic Maps: Oakdale, Ambridge County Maps: Allegheny Description: Montour Run is one of the best Allegheny County trips we have found. The gorge deserves a B for scenery, but industry and trash at the beginning and end of the trip make it a C overall. When the creek has enough water to be runnable, it flows continuously, with almost no pools. There are small calm spots along the sides, but few eddies worthy of the name. It is narrow, often too narrow to turn a 17‑foot canoe around, and usually less than 3 feet deep. [Checked 1996] Difficulties: Trees down, a pipeline crossing, overhanging branches, and all the usual small-stream hazards. One Class III rapid should be scouted. It is about 0.5 miles below the Beaver Grade Road bridge (the first high bridge after Wickes) and shortly after the railroad crosses the creek from the right bank to the left bank. As the river makes a sharp left-hand bend, a concrete slab dams the river. At the level given above, it could be run on the left by making a left turn through some overhanging shrubbery followed immediately by a tight right turn to put the boat sideways in the hydraulic that slopes down the dam face. This could get too big to handle if the creek has much more water. Shuttle: A Pittsburgh map will help. Put in at any of three bridges in Enlow for the 11 mile trip or at the Wickes parking lot (at the Montour exit from the Parkway) for the 7 mile trip. Take out in Groveton at the Firemans Park next to the State Route 51 bridge; it is on the right side of the river. Shuttle via State Routes 60 and Interstate 79. Gauges: Scott Station. No information. Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is tiny, it should normally be runnable only after a heavy rain or during spring snowmelt. |
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