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trail was well maintained. rode right along river. we started at cowanshannock trail and headed up river. parking easy to find. mild grade nothing exceptional. after bike ride, we walked cowanshannock trail to see buttermilk falls.
Very nice part of this trail.... well worth the ride
Attempted to use the Clarion Highlands trail earlier this month. We parked at the parking area at the edge of the Game Lands on Station Road. The trail was so overgrown with waist-high grass that the only indication there was even a trail there was the gap in the trees. There is a trailhead listed further up Station Road, however this was marked off with numerous No Trespassing and Private Property signs. We pressed on further still up the road to where the trail crosses Station Road hoping to access it there, only to find the trail was simply a washed out muddy path. Tired of driving around, at this point we just gave up and drove 15 minutes to access the wonderfully maintained Rail 66 Country Trail.
Today Aug 23, 2018 we biked the trail from Clearfield to Curwensville. Our first problem was not finding the trail head. The route is unclearly marked. Thanks to one of Clearfield ' s police officers who helped us locate the trail head. The other thing is the trail needs the brush and weeds cut back. Over all it's a nice trail. Just need a bit of upkeep.
Revisited this trail from last Summer and it has come a long way! Trail is nearly 13 miles completed, of which 9 miles are brand new asphalt pavement. The mid section is still a rough tar & chip surface. Their plans are to continue the trail North from Leeper.
We biked from Route 322 to Leeper, and back.
We parked in a new lot on Route 322 in the Village on Marianne. Paved lot holds about 15 cars and is located near a few places to eat. The trail goes South of 322 for a little bit but the surface is dirt.
Heading North out of Marianne there is smooth brand new asphalt pavement for approx 4.5 miles, where it meets up with the older section of the trail. Just under 3 miles you will pass the farm market, if they are open, they offer cold beverages for sale. There is also a large swing there.
Continuing North into Lucinda at approx 6.3 miles is the former train station with picnic tables, and a large parking area which holds approx 30 cars.
At mile 8.5, Lutz Drive in Snydersburg, is another parking area for approx 15 cars. A few tenths North is where the trail turns to new asphalt pavement. Formerly this section was cinder. The trail rolls through some pretty countryside including cornfields.
The trail ends (for now) at approx mile 12 at Car Mate trailers in Leeper. There is also parking in front of Car Mate. Car Mate is located on Route 66. Just North of Car Mate you will find the Sawmill Restaurant & Ice Cream. Also a small grocery store and a Dollar Store.
Plans for the future are to continue the trail North of Leeper to the Forest County Line.
An all around great trail!
My husband and I biked this trail the 4th week in July 2018. On Monday we biked from Ridgway to the Croyland trailhead at mile 8.5, near Laurel Run and back. (total approx 17 miles). On Wednesday we biked from Brockway to the Croyland trailhead and back, (approx 19 total miles). The trail seems to have a slight downhill slope from Ridgway to Croyland, and also from Brockway to Croyland. We supposed this is because the Clarion (in the northern portion) flows south, and the Little Toby (in the southern portion) flows north. It is not noticeable until you turn around and go back, which takes more effort and a lower gear.
There are many signs along the trail noting "ghost towns" and former logging and mining sites, but not many ruins can be seen. Walking across the swinging bridge was a fun break. The railroad trestle in the northern portion is impressive.
At approximately mile 10 there was a truck parked on the trail, and a worker with a small backhoe was digging out the ditch along the trail. We had to maneuver around these vehicles, which were taking up the whole width of the trail. The equipment was making deep ruts in the trail. Hopefully these will be flattened and leveled out when the maintenance is completed.
We saw a lot of deer, chipmunks, and a wild turkey. The first day we passed 4 other bikers and a couple joggers near Ridgway. The 2nd day we saw nobody except the maintenance worker. The trail had some vegetation growing in the middle in some sections, but it wasn't a problem. Overall we thought the northern half was in better condition than the southern half. Also, the northern half has frequent benches along the trail. The southern half has one bench that we noticed.
This was fun to ride but not the most exciting rail trail that we have ridden.
We biked this trail early July. It was not flooded. The nearby Conemaugh dam is maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers and they have a Facebook page with the daily water level. You can also call them.
We parked at Conemaugh Dam where there is a nice visitors center, restrooms and picnic areas. West Penn Trail goes right through the parking lot.
We biked through Tunnelview Historical site and pushed our bikes through and across Bow Ridge. We passed the two Bow Tunnels (closed and even plugged). Biking on the trail with our road bikes was quite a challenge since the trail was more like a Mountain Bike trail. Then again, you are crossing over the mountain.
Once on the other side, we walked our bikes some more descending to the other side of the Bow tunnels. The first bridge at Livermore was a few feet above the water.
We biked from there to Blairsville and back crossing a few more bridges over the Conemaugh River. That section of the trail is nearly flat and dirt/crushed limestone. There are historical signs along the trail.
If you are looking for a nice leisurely trail this is not the trail! If you are looking for a good workout, this trail is for you.
From Conemaugh Dam it's 2 miles over the hills and through the woods to the railroad grade at the first bridge in the former town of Livermore. From there it's about 4 miles to Blairsville.
A paved parking lot is now available on rte 322 near O'neals market and Dairy Queen; this is between rte 66 and the Clarion bridge, on 322. There is also parking, frequently used by trail users, though I don't know if it's official, on rte 66, near the entrance to Madden road, between Steiner road and Lucinda, Pa. This is in addition to the parking near the historical Lucinda train station.
Bring a camera. Lots of scenic farmscape and woods. Very smooth as so much is newly paved. This summer, check for seasonal farmers and local markets and a flea market, a cool dry goods store called Lander's, a junker's store and a couple of ice cream places. Great camping area.
Trail is now completely paved ,13 miles from route 322 to Leeper. Great addition to existing trails in this area.
Began in emlenton, (drive down bike path to parking) after 1st tunnel went off the trail up fairly steep hill about a 1/2 mile to Freedom Falls. Very nice falls with old iron furnace just down stream. Back downhill to bike path continued toward Franklin through the second tunnel. Turned around at the landowners that won't allow passage across their property ( the trail does continue past them though). Nice ride!
We started near Washington Pa and enjoyed the quality of the trail. Well maintained and clearly marked with adequate facilities along the way. The tunnels are a treat and an exciting ride through old Pennsylvania rail space!
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