DIRECTIONS: From East Brady- on PA 68 on the Allegheny River- follow PA 68 east towards Rimersburg. At 4.5 miles from the river in East Brady turn left on Sarah Furnace Rd. A sign is present along PA 68 noting this road with the name Sarah Furnace. The road is marked as "no outlet" and this road leads to the parking area and entrance to the trail at the bottom of the hill, approx 2.7 miles on the left. From the north, PA 68 can be picked up at exit 62 on I-80 and followed west through Sligo and then Rimersburg, approximately 14 miles. From the light in Rimersburg continue on PA 68 west towards East Brady and at 4 miles the road to Sarah Furnace will be on the right and marked as noted. Continue as noted above from there. At approx 1.8 miles on Sarah Furnace, the road actually does continue on after a 90 degree turn to the right, and the river is visible ahead through the trees. At this point the destination is on the left, with a large open area where vehicles can be parked. This area is not well maintained. Please use care for rough spots and rocks further in. Heading back in, the river will be on the right and at the end of this open area (previously part of the railroad and local coal mining operation I believe) a gate across the path will be visible. The trail extends on past this gate although as last noted all signs marking this as the Armstrong Trail have disappeared. A short distance in on the trail a second branch comes in from the right, and this can be followed back a short distance further next to the road and west along the river. From the gate leading in, the main trail is passable for approx 1.5 miles along the river which runs to the right of the trail. After that distance the trail is blocked with rocks and dirt and the old railroad tunnel will be on the left. This area covers wooded hillside areas on the way down towards the river with a hemlock-lined stream on the right going in and a more open riparian corridor along the river trail. It is a great spot for warblers hard-to-find in the rest of the county during breeding season such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean, Kentucky and Worm-eating warblers as well as Yellow-throated Vireo. In spring and fall it provides a good area for migrants as well as occasionally larger birds on the river such as cormorants and loons in migration and Bald Eagles. After turning off PA 68, make the drive down to the parking area slowly, making sure to listen for Louisiana Waterthrush along areas of the stream to the right going in, as well as Winter Wrens found occasionally along the stream, Acadian Flycatchers and also Kentucky Warblers are usually found in areas to the left of the main road. In spring these areas are also filled with blooming Trillium. Approximately half way down, Rider Rd will be on the right. There are just a few areas where a vehicle can be parked to allow for walking along the road, traffic here is usually pretty light. Past Rider Rd, the hill on the right becomes steeper and the stream further away, more hemlocks are present and Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green and occasionally Black-throated Blue warblers can be found in breeding season. At the bottom of the hill as the road levels out, the stream is larger and enters the Allegheny River as you come to the parking area on the left. In this more open area tanagers and grosbeaks are common in summer as well as good numbers of orioles. Once parked in the cindered area to the left, listen and watch immediately for Cerulean and Worm-eating warblers which can be heard and seen usually anywhere from here to the trail end. Along the trail Worm-eating Warblers are most common in the steeper hill to the left where there are Rhododendrons. Yellow-throated Vireos can usually be found here as well as Blue-winged Warblers along the scrub by the river and tanagers and both orioles are usually present. Kentucky Warblers have been heard and seen in scattered areas on the hillside to the left of the trail as well. Several years ago a Lawrence's hybrid was seen here through the summer. This is not a complete listing of species, and with more presence of birders it is likely more species might be added to the listing. On leaving the area and returning up towards PA 68, it is recommended to take Rider Rd on the left which also leads up to PA 68 but which cuts through wooded areas with more understory. After the first turn to the right on Rider Rd watch & listen for the next 0.5 to 0.75 mile or so as this is the most consistent area in the county to date for Kentucky Warblers. Cerulean Warblers have also been seen and heard along this road, plus Hooded and Blue-winged warblers as well. Continue along Rider Rd until you reach PA 68, the Sarah Furnace intersection would be just a short distance to the right here along PA 68.