Lots of rain means a lot of water, especially in the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle.
When I visited Fern Cliff Peninsula on July 1, I was astonished at the river’s height and roar. The site is downstream of two dams — Deep Creek and Confluence — yet the river made walls of water just above the falls.
Here’s what it looked like on July 1 after a very wet June.
Trees that had been on islands stood alone, fighting the river’s relentless pull.
And this Joe-pye weed and a patch of grass are all that’s left of a ledge.
Despite the high water, rubber-raft whitewater trips were operating just below the falls.
You couldn’t pay me to ride these waves.
(photos by Kate St. John)
Cucumber Falls is a gorgeous waterfalls and they’re kayaking on the water slides. I’ve never seen this much water in July before. It’s worth the trip.
Go on a raft trip! We’ve used Wilderness Voyaguers for 20 years and are impressed with their commitment to safety (and having a good time :). When the water is high they bring in bigger boats and put a guide in each boat. It’s quite a ride at high water a thrill that you don’t see too often. For folks who don’t know the Ferncliff Peninsula there are fossil ferns in the rocks exposed by the river waters. A real treat!
We’ve been up at Ohiopyle on summer holiday weekends when there have been hundreds of people in the water above the falls. Hopefully no one was out in those waters! I can’t believe the number of people who try to go swimming in the rivers when the waters are high. We’ve had several local drownings because of that this year.
Mary Ann