This week ends with me passing through Turkeytown, PA in southern Westmoreland county. I am about 43 miles away from crossing into West Virginia. It is near Cedar Creek Park. This is an access point to the Youghiogheny River Trail as well as a part of the Great Allegheny Passage.
The Youghiogheny River has some nice white water rafting - I tried it once, I never need to go again, but Hubby really likes it. The River Trail offers hiking, biking, cross country skiing and equestrian trails. There are locations to rent bikes, purchase snacks, play horseshoes, hunt and run RC aircraft.
The Great Allegheny Passage is a planned trail to connect Washington DC with Pittsburgh. From the website:
Location and Length
When completed, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage will connect with the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Maryland to create a 334.5-mile traffic and motorized vehicle-free route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. The Montour Branch will, when completed, connect McKeesport to the Pittsburgh International Airport and Coraopolis.
Trail Grade and Surface
The trail has a packed crushed limestone surface for a smooth ride. Built mainly on abandoned rail beds, the trail is nearly level with the average grade of less than 1%. The steepest eastbound grade - 0.8% - is from Harnedsville to Markleton and Garrett to Deal. The steepest westbound grade is from Cumberland to Deal at 1.75%. Near the Big Savage Tunnel, the trail crosses the Eastern Continental Divide. From that point going east, the trail drops 1,754 feet in 24 miles to reach Cumberland and, going west, it drops 1,664 feet in 126 miles to reach Pittsburgh.
From Cumberland to Washington, DC, you drop 625 feet to sea level on the C&O Canal towpath. The towpath is overall much less improved than the GAP, as it was built for mules and not railroads. Be prepared for ruts, tree roots, mud and mosquitos.
No comments :
Post a Comment