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FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania |
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Information on Trails in the Allegheny Valleyby Mary Shaw and Roy Weil |
We are pleased to present selections from the book FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania.. In most cases, this includes the first paragraph of the description, the summary information, and the trail organization.
Trails North: Upper Allegheny Valley
Allegheny Valley Rail Trail System
Oil Creek State Park Trail or its full write-up
Samuel Justus Recreational Trail
Allegheny River Trail
Buzzard Swamp
Armstrong Trail (see special warning)
Great Shamokin Path
Roaring Run Trail
Butler-Freeport Community Trail (see special warning)
Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur)
Special warning: Ownership of the Butler-Freeport Community Trail and the Armstrong Trail is in dispute and is being litigated. The trail developers think they own the trails; a number of owners of adjacent land disagree. A lawyer representing the neighboring landowners has threatened us with Dire Consequences if we tell you to go to these two trails. So we're not making any recommendation. At all. OK? What we report here is what we understand that the trail managers are trying to accomplish. We personally wish the trail managers success. These will make fine trails if the parties can get their differences sorted out.
Allegheny Valley Rail Trail
SystemAn extensive network of rail-trails is growing in Venango and Clarion Counties under the leadership of the small but vigorous Allegheny Valley Trails Association. The main stem of this system runs along the Allegheny River as the Allegheny River Trail and the Samuel Justus Trail. The trail council would eventually like to extend the trail southward to connect with the Armstrong Trail below Kennerdell. They also hope for a northward extension along the Allegheny River to Warren and various side lines.
Long-term plans call for the spine along the Allegheny River to be supplemented with the 50-mile Clarion Secondary Trail, running from near Clarion northwest to Sandy Lake near I79. Additional plans include a loop connector from Franklin to Polk, a connector to include the Oil Creek State Park trail, connection to the Old Salem Trail in northern Mercer County, and a 25-mile network in Allegheny National Forest.
The region is protected by both the National Wild and Scenic River program and the Oil Heritage Park program. The Allegheny River from Warren to Oil City and from Franklin to Emlenton is a Wild and Scenic River. The Oil Heritage Park extends along Oil Creek from Titusville to Oil City and along the Allegheny River from Oil City to Emlenton.
If it all works out, this will provide a continuous connection from near Pittsburgh to several points in the northern part of the state. Unfortunately, some parcels along the trail have passed into private ownership, and re-establishing the trail will take a lot of effort. Prospects are good for extending the trail as far south as I80, not so good south of there.
Oil Creek State Park TrailPetroleum Center to Drake Well Museum near Titusville in Venango County
Special: the full write-up of this trail as it appears in FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania.
The birthplace of the oil industry supplies the setting for a ride that combines the natural beauty of Oil Creek Valley's clear trout stream and hemlock-hardwood forest with traces of the oil boom that once dominated the valley. The trail follows the path of the railroad that once carried oil from wells in this and adjacent valleys. But the intervening century has erased most evidence of the industry, and you now rely on interpretive signs along the trail and the Drake Well Museum to pick out the remaining traces.
Trail organization: Douglas Finger, Park Manager, Oil Creek State Park, RR 1, Box 207, Oil City PA 16301, (814) 676-5915
Samuel Justus Recreational TrailFranklin to Oil City in Venango County
A 9-foot strip of excellent asphalt runs along the former Allegheny Valley Railroad right-of-way between the south bank of the Allegheny River and a wooded bluff. The trail is almost completely flat and runs about 30 feet above the river, affording good views of whatever is happening on the river. Birds and wildflowers are abundant
The trail passes several oil wells, some still operating, and oil storage tanks. Picnic areas between the trail and the river offer shade and picnic tables; they are located 0.7 mile upstream from the Franklin gate and 0.5 mile downstream from the Oil City gate.
Trail organization: Richard A. Castonguay, Secretary, Cranberry Township, PO Box 378, Seneca PA 16346, (814) 676-8812
Allegheny River TrailThe Allegheny River Trail follows the Allegheny River south from Franklin toward (eventually) Kennerdell. The 4.9 miles from Franklin to Belmar have an 8'-wide asphalt surface and mileposts every half-mile. The 5.1 miles from Belmar to near Brandon are currently original fill and ballast, but they are scheduled to be finished in crushed limestone or rough asphalt in late 1996 or early 1997.
This trail takes you to some of the region’s most outstanding rivers. The Allegheny River in this area was added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system in 1992. East Sandy Creek, which you cross at Belmar, is on the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers inventory.
Trail organization: Allegheny Valley Trails Association, David Howes, President, Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, 1256 Liberty St., Suite 2, Franklin PA 16323, (814) 432-5823. Membership: $20/year individual, $25/year family
Buzzard SwampAllegheny National Forest offers many opportunities for bicycling. They are more rugged than most of the trails in this guide. The Buzzard Swamp area offers a 12-mile network of rolling grassy trails with good opportunities to see wildlife. It provides an easy transition from developed rail-trails to off-road cycling.
In the early 1960’s the US Forest Service and the PA Game Commission created a chain of 15 ponds for fish propagation. Now the dikes and meadows around these ponds offer hiking and mountain biking. The trail surface is wide and smooth but unimproved. If you’re there soon after a trail is mowed, it’s like riding on the lawn. If the grass is high, it’s a meadow experience you won’t forget. Most of the trails are not blazed, but there are signposts at the intersections. The national forest brochure will help you stay oriented
- Location: Southeast of Marienville, Jenks Township, Forest County
- Trailheads: East and south of Marienville
- Length, Surface:12-mile network; mostly mowed grass
- Character: Little-used, forest, sunny, rolling
- Usage restrictions: No motorized vehicles; no snowmobiles; no horses
- Amenities: Fishing
- Driving time from Pittsburgh: 2 hours 45 minutes northeast
Trail organization: Allegheny National Forest, Marienville Ranger District, HC 2, Box 130, Marienville PA 16239, (814) 927-6628
Armstrong Trail: p. 73See special warning
In using this trail, you should be aware that some nearby landowners question the trail operator’s title to the trail and right to use the land. As of January 1996, this disagreement is being litigated. In addition, some sections of the trail may be obstructed or posted. We recommend against trespassing or antagonizing trail neighbors anywhere, but especially so here. Since the status of this matter changes from time to time, you may wish to check with the trail operator about the current status.
Armstrong Trail is planned to run for about 52 miles along the east side of the Allegheny River from Schenley to Upper Hillville, primarily in Armstrong County and partly in Clarion County. Spur trails are planned westward to East Brady and eastward along Red Bank Creek. The trail was acquired and dedicated in 1992. Some improvements have been made, primarily removal of old rails and installation of gates to exclude traffic. It is still an unfinished trail in 1996, suitable only for primitive uses. Many sections are now passable. Where the ballast has been removed the trail surface is rough. Elsewhere it’s very rough.
Trail organization: Norman Karp, Armstrong Rails-to-Trails Association, 222 Market St., Kittanning PA 16201, (412) 543-4478. Membership: $10/year individual or family
Great Shamokin PathBoth the Great Shamokin Path and PA85 run alongside Cowanshannock Creek, the rail-trail on the south side and the road on the north. The trail connects two lakes, Devils Washbasin in the west and White Lake/Wetland to the east. The creek is well wooded, so aside from some road noise, the trail feels isolated. The surface is packed fine gravel, often with grass growing. It is generally about 20 feet wide, but in many places grass grows knee-high on the edges and the open path is just about wide enough for two bikes to ride abreast. The trail properly gated and posted against motorized vehicles (but only that---we didn't see any specific identification as the Great Shamokin Path).
Trail organization: Pam Meade, President, Cowanshannock Creek Watershed Association, PO Box 307, Rural Valley PA 16249, (412) 783-6692. Membership: $3.00/year individual
Roaring Run Trail: p. 80Roaring Run Trail parallels the Kiskiminetas River from Cherry Lane southeast of Apollo upstream for 3.7 miles toward (but not nearly to) Edmon. The surface is finished as a 10-foot packed limestone path for 1.6 miles to the mouth of Roaring Run. After crossing Roaring Run, the trail progressively deteriorates as it approaches the Brownstown Mine (which is private property beyond the end of the trail). It's evident that development is underway, though, as the drainage has been improved. At present, there is only one trailhead, so plan a round-trip in and out.
Trail organization: Bob Knepshield, President, Roaring Run Watershed Association, PO Box 40, Spring Church PA 15686, (412) 478-1233
Butler-Freeport Community Trail:
p. 83 See special warning
In using this trail, you should be aware that some nearby landowners question the trail operator’s title to the trail and right to use the land. As of January 1996, this disagreement is being litigated. In addition, some sections of the trail may be obstructed or posted. We recommend against trespassing or antagonizing trail neighbors anywhere, but especially so here. Since the status of this matter changes from time to time, you may wish to check with the trail operator about the current status.
The Butler-Freeport Trail is planned to follow 20 miles of the former Butler Branch Rail Line of Conrail. The planned route runs from Freeport Borough, along Buffalo and Little Buffalo Creeks to Great Belt, then down Coal Run to Butler. It passes through wooded areas, open farmland, small villages, and deep valleys. Buffalo Creek is on the registry of Scenic Waterways. It's well sheltered in a shaded valley. The trail is nearly flat, but as rail-trails go the gradient is somewhat more noticeable than usual. At present, the middle 11.5 miles have been surfaced in crushed limestone. Benches are liberally sprinkled along the trail, especially between Sandy Lick and Cabot. A few original railroad mileposts remain; they appear to count mileage from Laneville.
Trail organizations: Ron Bennett, Butler-Freeport Comm. Trail Council, PO Box 533, Saxonburg PA 16056, (412) 352-4783. Membership $10/year individual, $15/year family
Moraine State Park (Lake Arthur)The designated bicycle trail runs on the north side of Lake Arthur, generally between North Shore Drive and the lake. It winds in and out of trees, up and down gentle hills, past picnic areas and other park activities and facilities. The trail passes several boat launching areas and provides views of the sailing and other boating activities on the lake. The swimming area for this side of the lake is near the trail (miles 3.6-3.8). The east end (mile 7.2) is at the Marina Restaurant. The park is very popular, so you'll have plenty of company any time during the season.
Trail organization: PA Department of Environmental Resources, Moraine State Park, RD 1, Box 212, Portersville PA 16051, (412) 368-8811
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informationFreeWheeling Easy is available in many western Pennsylvania bike shops, outdoor stores, and bookstores for $9.95+tax. If you can't find it there, you can order from us: Shaw-Weil Associates, 414 South Craig St. #307, Pittsburgh PA 15213. We have to charge you for tax and postage, so send a check for $11.93. We usually ship in 1 to 5 days. Sorry, we don't do credit cards, but amazon.com books does. You can order it from amazon.com for $9.95 + shipping, but you will pay more for shipping and it will take longer.
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Updated 04/11/97 by Mary Shaw
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