Loyalhanna Creek

Ran this while at high water (causeway at sleepy hollow was closed). Would not recommend running it at much lower levels than that. There is a boat launch in Ligonier at the loyalhanna walking trail across the highway from Giant Eagle. Suggest to put in there as further up towards rector it blown down tree after tree as well as going through Rolling Rock Country Club and they were grumpy we floated down through their mansions. Also if you put in there you get to float through Idlewild park which is a highlight of the trip. After Idlewild through the hollow is where you get some decent rapids and 1 drop . The rapids are few and far between( Alot of flat water) so makes it a good beginners run. I recommend making the run but definitely do not start to far up!

This section of river is a good place for novice whitewater training. Just upstream of the Darlington put-in bridge (behind Idlewild Amusement Park), there is moving 'flat water' with relatively few obstructions,,, a good place to learn the basics of boat control. Downstream of this put-in bridge there are many places to practice on “light to moderate” eddy lines. The photo above is from a training run conducted by Three Rivers Paddling Club (based in Pittsburgh Pa).
Buttermilk Falls is the first and 'largest' rapid on this section of river at this 3.3ft level. There is a boulder garden below Buttermilk that could present more challenge at extremely high flows.
Second ledge comes after the eddy catching practice in the 'boulder garden'. Jamie is running the tongue on river left.