A. Echo to
State Route 28/66 8.5 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
I-II 20/30 Tiny
(20/33) A-B/B
estimate
Topographic Maps: Rural Valley, Mosgrove
County Maps: Armstrong
Description: Echo to Oscar is flowing water with many trees down. From Oscar to Pine Furnace the volume picks up and the creek runs mostly along the base of a cliff and through stands of hemlock. [Reported 1999]
Note: There are two Pine Creeks (or more) in Armstrong County. This one is in the middle of the county.
Difficulties: There is a steady drop of 30 feet per mile for 2 miles of the section between Oscar and Pine Furnace. At high water levels this section is continuous standing waves with obstacles for maneuvering.
Shuttle: To reach the take-out from Echo, go west on State Route 1028 to Oscar. Turn right on State Route 1035 and follow to State Route 28/66. Turn left and follow 28/66 to the Creek. The take-out is across the road from the tavern by the bridge.
Gauges: None.
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.
B. State Route
28/66 3.0 miles
to Allegheny River
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
II-III 39/100 Tiny(38/63) B/B
Mosgrove
Topographic Maps: Mosgrove
County Maps: Armstrong
Description: This small stream starts and ends with flat but fast moving water. Most of the river consists of long continuous Class II and III rapids. The river meanders with high current from shore to shore in a narrow, wooded valley. The only eddies are small and along the shore or behind bends in the river. The rapids are mostly submerged rocks with holes and rows of standing waves, with a few exposed rocks or ledges. [Reported 1996]
Difficulties: About 100 yards above the fourth bridge, a single sloping ledge (4 to 5 feet high) crosses the entire river and forms a major hydraulic across the current. This may be runnable, but is significantly more difficult than anything else on this section. Scout and/or carry on the right.
Shuttle: Head north from the put-in on State Route 28/66. Turn left/west at the first road onto State Route 1034. It will cross the river twice on the way to the Allegheny River at Mosgrove.
Gauge: Two streamside gauges were observed during this run. The first bridge on the shuttle from State Route 28/66 had six cut stone blocks exposed. The water level was also bank full under the State Route 28/66 put-in bridge.
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.