Great Trough Creek

Put-in follow the signs to Trough Creek State Park from PA route 994. It is about 10 miles north of the town of Saxton. At the park entrance there is a park office where you can pick up a park map which will help in navigating the area. Continuing on, you will shortly cross a recently restored wooden arch bridge over Great Trough Creek. Take the first right after you cross the creek onto Trough Creek drive which quickly degrades to a gravel road. You may want to take note of the pipeline crossing where the road closely approaches the creek for future reference when you run the creek. In a couple miles take your first right onto another gravel road(T-370); in 1/2 mile you will be at the put-in.

Takeout Retrace your path to the wooden bridge cross over the creek and take the first right - this is still Trough Creek drive. Follow this road just past the campground to the parking area near the dam and the 'ice mine'.

River Description In the first part of the run Trough Creek is hemmed in on one side at a time by limestone bluffs with scenic woodlands on the other side. The gradient is modest with periodic riffly rapids, and the occasional small drop cum surfing opportunity.

Shortly,(perhaps 100 yards)after the pipeline crossing there is an excellent surfing hole. This is best grabbed on the way downstream as getting back up and in once you've blown out is an arduous and paddle-banging task. There is a small eddy above it on river right for one boat to wait your turn. The river left side of this hole can be testy at higher flows.

The creek continues with periodic class II rapids and surfing opportunities until it briefly flattens as you pass through the developed portion of the park near the wooden bridge. Then the gradient, action, and multiple surfing opportunities return. There is a rapid, surfing spot and pool at Copperas Rock. Just below this the creek passes under a new bridge; within a

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