A. Armburst to Yukon 11.3 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
B-I 5/7 Tiny C/C
Topographic Maps: Mount
Pleasant, Smithton
County Maps: Westmoreland
Description: This stream has been cleaned up a little since earlier reports, however it is still trashy along the riverbanks and some mine oxide is still evident. It is an easy run for novices. The scenery is mostly railroads, backyards and old mining remains. This part of the creek is not prone to falling trees. [Reported 1994]
Difficulties: None
Shuttle: To reach the put-in, leave the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) at Exit 75 (New Stanton). Go north on State Route 119 to Youngwood. Turn right/east on State Route 2010. Follow State Route 2010 for about 2.0 miles to State Route 819. Turn left/north on State Route 810 and follow for 0.2 miles to the bridge at Armburst. To reach the take‑out, return to State Route 119 in Youngwood. Turn left/south and follow he signs for Interstate 70 westbound. Leave Interstate 70 at exit 53 for Yukon. In Yukon, turn right/north on Spring Street (State Route 3010) and go 7 or 8 blocks to the “T” intersection at the end of town. Turn a sharp right/east and go a block to the take‑out bridge.
Gauge: None. If the water is okay at the Yukon Bridge, the section is runnable.
Normal Wet Period: Through April.
B. Yukon to Youghiogheny River 12.0 miles
Class Grad Size (Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III 13/33 Small (165/275) C/C
mouth
of creek
Topographic Maps: Smithton, Donora, McKeesport
County Maps: Allegheny, Westmoreland
Description: The water is very polluted with both mine acid and human pollution. Garbage and debris decorate the banks, bridge piers and downed trees. The first 3 miles are generally flat and flowing Class I. The river then drops over several small ledges and enters a deep gorge. In the gorge there are more ledges and hydraulics with chutes and rocks of Class III difficulty, some of them undercut. The chutes over some of the ledges can be identified by the piles of suds. [Reported 1993]
Difficulties: The vertical shore line of the gorge allows very few eddies, and makes for difficult scouting. About 1 mile downstream from the Mill Grove bridge three rusting steel cables drop off the right bank and slant diagonally into the main current.
Shuttle: To reach the put-in, go to the north edge of Yukon and put in at the bridge. To reach the take‑out, leave Yukon, heading southeast on State Route 3010. Go a short distance and take Interstate 70 west for about 2.0 miles. Take the exit 51 for State Route 31 west towards West Newton. Cross the Youghiogheny and turn right/north on Collinsburg Road. Proceed north along the river for about a mile, to where Collinsburg Road crosses the railroad tracks. At this point you are across the Youghiogheny from the mouth of Sewickley Creek.
Gauges: None.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.