White Water Rafting on the Youghiogheny River

The Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River is part of the large Mississippi River watershed that extends from the western slope of the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Rockies in the west. Beginning in Garrett County, the Youghiogheny cuts a northward path through some of the most rugged mountain scenery in Maryland before connecting with the Monongahela in McKeesport, Pennsylvania..

Almost every year we make a trip out to go white water rafting on the Youghiogheny river in Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania. This is one activity that I will never get tired of. We go out to the Ohiopyle Trading Post and rent rafts, since the post is right at the 'entrance spot' for the lower 'Yough.' I think that one day I would like to go ride the upper 'Yough' for the class IV + Rapids, but as it is we have only ever rode the Class III-IV rapids for the younger ones. There is also the middle 'Yough' for class I-III rapids; beginners who just want to try it out before going through bigger ones.

There are also other outfitters along the river for that offer rafting among other activities, such as hiking, biking, paintball, and rock climbing. The ones that I know of are the White Water Adventures and Laurel Highlands River Tour, who both also offer tours on the famous Cheat River.

Once you get your rafts in the water its all fun and laughs until you get to the end of your trip. The rapids are awesome; if you're a thrill seeker, white water rafting is something you have to do one day. Once your in the rapids there is no turning back. You are thrown from side to side, trying to steer with your paddles to go the right direction but in reality all your doing is making sure the boat doesn't go sideways and flip over. That current is going to take the boat and everyone in, or out of it, whether you want it to or not.

It is important to realize that white water rafting is a dangerous sport, but really can be enjoyable when you know the risk, and know how to deal with them. Every outfitter will offer classes, which is a good idea to look into. And every outfitter offers, sometimes mandatory, guides. If you go there are usually also guides and trained rafters all along the river watching over the merriment. Sometimes the entire river will be closed if the rapids go above a certain class rapid.

Another thing I always like about the lower 'Yough' is the 'calm' spots, when your just floating along peacefully. It's a great mixture of both adrenaline and serene. There is also this one spot along the river that we all look forward to. There's a small place where everyone stops and swims a for a little bit, and there is a huge rock there that everyone has a blast jumping from. Then, once we've had our fill, were back on the river and it's not long at all until your riding the rapids again.

Now, the worst part of this trip for me is the end. Partially because its over, but also because you have to haul your own raft up an embankment, deflate it, then load it onto a trailer that's hooked up to a bus. We are all herded onto the bus and it's crowded; everyone is wet and hot. Then your traveling down a huge hill, the brakes are squeaking and it scary, but we always make it. I absolutely love white water rafting and have since I was 17 and went down the Cheat River.