The following detailed schedule for the Youghiogheny River of the Year Sojourn is subject to change. This schedule is posted to give people the estimated times. The Sojourn is promoting use of the river, but a bicycling alternative is outlined here.
Meals are included except for breakfast on Thursday and dinner on Sunday. Campgrounds are included but participants must bring their own camping equipment, towels, rain gear, sun screen, etc. (a list of what to bring will be mailed to all registrants). Boat and gear rentals are required Thursday and Friday but are optional Saturday and Sunday for people who bring their own boats/gear. Safety boaters will participate each day, but all boaters are required to attend daily safety briefings and wear a USCG-approved Personal Foatation Device at all times on the river.
Breakfast on your own, not included
9:00 am-Participants meet in Ohiopyle and check-in
10:00 am-Shuttle to Youghiogheny River Lake in Confluence
11:00 am-Presentation on Youghiogheny Lake and Dam and Safety Instructions
11:30 am-Put-in at the Youghiogheny River Lake Outflow in duckies (inflatable kayaks) for a guided paddle of the Middle Yough to Ohiopyle, Class I and II whitewater (minimum age 5). Personal canoes cannot be used -- all participants must use duckies, which are included in the price.
Lunch on one of the islands in the river.
5:30 pm-Take-out in Ohiopyle
7:00 pm-Dinner at Ohiopyle State Park Campground
8:00 pm-Evening interpretation on history along the Yough by Bill Metzger, author of The Great Allegheny Passage Companion, Guide to History and Heritage Along The Trail.
6:30 am-7:30 am-Breakfast at Ohiopyle State Park Campground and sign-in for people who have registed for raft outing; rafts, PFDs and paddles are included in price
7:45 am- Walk to put-in/launch for whitewater raft trip
8:00 am - Required safety briefing for raft trip
8:30 am- Launch for Lower Yough Class III or possibly Class IV whitewater rafting excursion with a guide in each raft and stops for interpretation along the river (minimum age 12)
12:00 pm-Lunch on River
2:30 pm-Take-out and shuttle to Ohiopyle campground
3:30 pm-Optional short hikes around Ohiopyle State Park
5:30 pm-Dinner at Ohiopyle State Park Campground
8:15 pm-Frog hunt under the full moon, Ohiopyle Campground
6:30 am-8:00 am-Breakfast at Ohiopyle State Park Campground
9:00 am-Optional Ferncliff Peninsula interpretive hike with Ohiopyle State Park staff
10:30 am-Bike ride on the Great Allegheny Passage with some of the most scenic parts of the trail in Ohiopyle state park. Boxed lunches will be provided. Bring your own bike or you may rent a bike (not included in sojourn costs) from any of the outfitters in Ohiopyle:
Laurel Highlands River Tours
800-4RAFTIN, http://www.laurelhighlands.com/Ohiopyle Trading Post and the Kickstand
888-OHIOPYLE, http://www.ohiopyletradingpost.com/Wilderness Voyageurs
800-WWA-RAFT, http://www.wilderness-voyageurs.com/
White Water Adventurers Inc
800-WWA-RAFT http://www.wwaraft.com/
5:30 pm-Dinner at Ohiopyle State Park Campground
8:15 pm-Frog hunt under the full moon, Ohiopyle Campground
9:30 am-Brunch at the Cochran House in historic Dawson
11:30 am-Safety instructions and put-in at Layton for flatwater paddle from Layton to Cedar Creek Park and Campground; participants may bring their own boats or select the boat-rental option on the Registration form linked below.
3:30 pm-Shuttle of drivers to Layton to retrieve their vehicles
5:00 pm-Dinner at Cedar Creek Campground
6:30 pm-PA Fish and Boat Commission Family Fishing Event. All equipment provided. No fishing license required
8:30 pm-Evening campfire and Smore's
7:00 am-8:30 am-Breakfast at Cedar Creek Campground
8:30 am-Short interpretive hike to the Tufa, a unique geological formation
10:30 am-Safety instructions and put-in at Cedar Creek for flatwater paddle to West Newton
11:30 pm-Lunch at the Trailside in West Newton and tour of Environmental Education Center across the street
4:00 pm-Take-out at Buena Vista and optional tour of Milestone Hydroponic Greenhouse; shuttle of drivers to Cedar Creek to retrieve their vehicles is included