Just enough to make you appreciate it on the ride back to the parking lot. I highly recommend heading west to east, up mountain first. If you have the chance, you wont regret giving this trail a ride. Brige connecting the trail at Dilltown still not done. They open at 11am. The stretch from Black Lick to Dilltown is mostly a rural environment and for the most part runs along Black Lick Creek. There are community fields for sport, and a pavilion. Remaining work on the project includes construction of the bridge approaches, fencing and installation of 6,000 feet of trail surface. Thank you so much to the great people who build and maintain these trails for all of us to enjoy and exercise safely. (I get a little obsessed with knowing how much is left to my destination!) Therefore, I can't speak for the entirety of the trail. There is also a large mine tailings dump in Vintondale that looks like the Black Hills region in the Dakotas, because it is a large black sweeping hill with colored striations running though it. When we ride the trail we always see families with young children pedaling in both directions, so the grade can't be that bad. :). My husband & I ride rail trails all around PA & as far as we can drive from our home in Philadelphia. We did the Ghost Town Trail from just W of Dilltown to the E terminus at Ebensburg and back. Go 7 miles, and turn left onto Old Indiana Road. The crushed-limestone trail winds through the scenic Blacklick Creek watershed east of Pittsburgh and offers a 32.3-mile main stem from the small community of Black Lick eastward to Ebensburg, as well as a 12.2-mile spur. Photo by:jdubohio 5/28/15. And a very quiet, very elegant memorial. As stated by others, I saw lots if wildlife on/near the trail and every person I met was beyond friendly! Our sag wagon met us at several of the crossings, and delivered lunch to the pavilion at the Dilltown trailhead. As it is with an out and back, I had to pay the piper on the return trip. Wehrum has a large parking lot and is easily found. The guide will also be posted on our website in the near future: www.indianacountyparks.org", "The trail has been enhanced to include the AMD & Art project in Vintondale, the Rexis section toward Rt 422 (Candi Trail) has been restored to full width again and the sandstone quarry building has had another room added for the public to view. There is a park there that is also an attempt to mitigate Acid Mine Drainage (it is referred to as AMD repeatedly, so remember this acronym). Signs along the trail and the orange-red creek provide the backdrop of an industry long gone. Sept 2015. Decent signage - maybe even a few more wouldn't hurt. There is also a smaller dump just west of Vintondale that is also black, but it has yellow and white crusty streaks coming out of it and smells of sulphur in the summertime (smells like Hell ?). It's not too steep, but it is a constant uphill grade. There are many areas along the trail where they mine for coal and left behind reminders of this regions ""Coal Country"" history. Very scenic, following a river. These new sections are slightly different from the ""older"" section between Nanty Glo and Dilltown, in that the trailbed is slightly higher than the ground around it due to it's resting on the elevated railroad bed. Overnight camping is only allowed in the Rexis Area at the House of the Rising Sun hospitality house, free of charge. The Johnstown Flood of 1977 took care of the rest of everything on this line. June, 2104
My wife and I on our 40th anniversary had a wonderful weekend on two rail trails. On a warmer day we would probably need to take on additional water at Ebensburg. 12 miles west from Ebensburg were smooth with a lot of actual coasting. My wife and I rode a portion of the Ghost Town Trail (starting in Dilltown, going several miles in each direction) on May 13, 2011. I've ridden Dilltown to Vintondale and Rexis a few different times which is a nice bike ride. As you approach the town of Vintondale, 18.5 miles from your start, the trail will split; to the left (north), a spur of a little more than 12 miles travels along the former rail line of the Cambria and Indiana Railroad. This hot-blast iron furnace, one of the first in the region, produced more than 1,000 tons of iron annually at its peak in the late 1840s. On Sunday, we travelled about 14 miles roundtrip from Dilltown to Vintondale. There's a mostly-imperceptible uphill heading from west-to-east, which makes the east-to-west return a pleasant downhill ride. A former railroad line the serviced many small towns and the coal industry that once dominated the area. It is also neat to see the Eliza furnace and remains of the buena vista furnace. Funding for the installation of two major bridges has been approved. And will also see orange creek beds, with water coming from slag heaps out of sight. Vintondale to Nanty Glo was quite a workout, but refreshments at the end of the line was great. make sure that you take a photo at the end of the trail.... it's a really good ride. We enjoyed the downhill grade pretty much the whole way to Vintondale. The Challenge is a 32-mile long (50k), endurance hike/run along the entire length of the Ghost Town Trail, DCNR's 2020 Trail of the Year, from Black Lick, PA to Ebensburg, PA. Expect to run into higher usage along the first 3miles near any of the major trailheads (Ebensburg, Nanty Glo, Vintondale, Dilltown, Saylor Park). The Ghost Town Trail totals 36 miles in Indiana and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania. We felt it is definitely an uphill grade but it is do-able. Hope they take it farther. Looking forward to exploring the rest of the trail. The ride back is downhill, fast, and easy. The bricks had names of miners that had died. At Sawyer Park in Blacklick I came across another rider who was heading toward Heshbon so I rode with him and discovered that he rides the 24 miles almost daily. Riding East to West paid off because the ride back was down hill. Pretty flat with some section of incline, most notably from Vintondale to Nanty Glo. The key things riders should keep in mind for riding this trail is the mountain. Converted from an abandoned railroad line by Indiana County Parks, the trail extends East of Dilltown, through the sites of once-booming coal mining towns … Heading up the spur there were evidence strewn about that the beavers have indeed, been busy, not to mention some abandoned mine equipment. At this time we do not have a definite delivery date for the bridges. It's perfect for picking out Christmas presents for those kids on Santa's ""naughty"" list. I found the Rexis Branch the most scenic. The park is also the terminus for the nearby Hoodlebug Trail (10 miles) which runs to Indiana, PA. A few shops are located along the trail, most notably in Diltown where a B&B is also present. Catch and Relase Fishing This map at the Vintondale rail head depicts the postion of the South Branch of … In 3.1 miles turn right onto Expedite Road, and go 1.6 miles. Can't wait to come back and explore another part of this trail. There are settling ponds, to get the iron red and the toxic aluminum out of the water. The last, but very significant railroad artifact is classic, cast iron Pennsylvania Railroad Mile Marker 37, which found salvation by hiding behind a tree on the north side of the trail, at Trail MP 5.7, 0.5 miles east of the Heshbon Trailhead. ", "For updated information on the Ghost Town Trail visit our website:www.indianacountyparks.orgAlso a new full-color guide to the Ghost Town, Hoodlebug and West Penn Trails has recently been published. Traveling the Ghost Town Trail this Sunday July 3, was somewhat of a homecoming for me. As you can tell from our reference to gobs and coconut creme pie, we're not that athletic. I could talk on and on but that would give away the nice discoveries that lay with this trail, for there are many interesting and historical encounters that’s met along the way. It wasnt just nostalgic. Very well maintained witH rest stops including picnic tables and bathrooms spaced along the trail. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. -Rich Ballash, Latrobe, PA. We begin our ferroquinological tour of this trail at Milepost 0, adjacent to Saylor Park in Black Lick, PA. Personally, I find it more relaxing than the beach, and more refreshing than golf, tennis or shooting pool. We stopped at the Dilltown B&B Trail side shop and got popsicles which were super refreshing at that point. Just across this swamp/wetlands is where the CandI trail will come into Nanty Glo from the East. 17T E 669529 N 4481762. I would ride this trail again! I hope I am not scaring people away from a truly outstanding rail-trail. Very nicely constructed. Dilltown Access to the Ghost Town Trail Route 403 North, One Mile off of Route 22 Dilltown, PA US 15929 Description. Going E first puts allows a downhill return trip, a good idea as this trail has a significant slope (for a rail trail), especially just W of Nanty Glo. From this park they will be linking the Ghost Town with the Hoodlebug trail; as of now (July 2006) the link isn't finished. From check-in to check-out, Lew & Jeannette (the owners of Noon-Collins), could not have been any more attentive. I biked 32miles of the Ghost Town Trail yesterday (did not ride the Rexis branch). The trail is well maintained. This is one fantastic trail and I highly recommend anyone to come here. This is probably the finest, cleanest place we've stayed at. Two iron furnaces, other historical structures and numerous interpretive markers are along the trail. The trail was well-maintained and easy to pedal. It's a welcome oasis biking along the Ghost Town Trail. Vintondale to Nanty Glo is a challenge, but all tje other sections are great. There is a nice picnic pavillion and a trailside store in Dilltown that sells refreshments and other merchandise (got myself a ""Ghost Town Trail"" T-shirt there with a ghost riding a bike on it!). Todays ride was the last section of the trail for us to ride. There isn't any where along the trail for water so make sure you have some, and food. On the Ebensburg to Nanty Glo section, historical markers are located at Ebensburg, Beula and Nanty Glo. Between the two spans, this 1977 flood abandonment railroad segment was obviously the salvation of intact rusty classic PRR cast iron mile marker 31, one of very few of these survivors on this trail. The Ghost Town Trail is a multi-use recreational trail suitable for walking, biking, jogging, hiking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. We started at the Heshbon access point and rode to Vitondale. We plan to ride more along the Ghost Town Trail in the future. Besides, any up hill climb going out creates a fantastic trip back. Even though it rained quite a bit on Monday, there was no standing water Tuesday. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. Its 3 arch 1917 concrete bridge still connects the town side on the south side of Black Lick Creek to the railroad on the north side. Don't let the "up hill" scare you off. Feb 24, 2012 - This Pin was discovered by Stephanie Clark. It is a large mosaic map showing how the scene before you looked in coal mining days. Shawrose Construction will install the bridges once they are delivered to Dilltown. Right after Vintondale, Blacklick Creek turned a dark orange, and the clarity of the stream was lost for a while. Note the in-place lines of BR&P track ties at the junction. We have been to the Lehigh Gorge, where the trail is pure rich scenery, but the terminal town of Jim Thorpe is pure rich history. We started in Ebensburg, rode 10 miles then turned around and rode back to Ebensburg and only saw one portapotty next to the ball fields in Nanty-Glo. Just got done with the Rexis Branch today, very nice ride but a little chilly. The trail terminates at a road crossing and across the road you can still tracks leading off into the brush. Most of the trail is a true railroad grade, so if you want to have a nice ride back to the end, definitely don't start at North Street and ride west and south. Historical markers along the way detailing coal industry history. This marker to commemorate the town is located near the Scott Glen Bridge on the trail. This is the Buena Vista Furnace, which was in operation between 1847 and 1856. Get a FREE Rail Trails Guidebook when you become a Member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. A group of us traveled about 90 minutes to ride this trail and it was surely worth it! The trailhead is located at the southwest side of the parking lot; head south on the spur, past the baseball field, and turn left onto the Ghost Town Trail. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. It looked as if you could still make it through the underpass but your feet might get wet. and then returned home via the trail the next day. I headed on to it useing the very well placed and huge signs that couldn't be missed. The trail rises a bit more than 1,000 feet from west to east, so if you’re planning a one-way trip, it might be tempting to start at the eastern trailhead and ride downhill; resist the urge and make an uphill ride instead. I’m sure the ghost will keep you captivated with stories from the many years of the by-gone era! To reach parking near the eastern endpoint in Ebensburg from the intersection of US 22 and US 119 in Blairsville, head east on US 22. This iron furnace was in operation from only 1846-1849, but it still today sports its very unique steel "superheating" coils atop the furnace, and its iron was wagon-shipped to Nineveh, then west to Pittsburgh on the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal! Outstanding trail. I had planned to stop at Nanty Glo for a break but still feeling good I continued on. Access the trail by following the directions above from Saylor Park. Restrooms and a drinking fountain are available at the Dilltown trailhead, 12.5 miles from your start. Crushed stone was smooth and hard packed making it easy to ride. We were two families, with two five year olds tagging along, and so we could self shuttle, and make the trip entirely "downhill." Made it to the top and continued crossing the road so as to get to the very end of the trail. At the west end, the single-span Scott Glenn Pedestrian Bridge was built on the two stone piers of ex-PRR Bridge 30.79 (Those PRR railroad mileage markers remain painted on both the east and west upper coarse pier stones). This B & B is a must visit for anyone, but especially for bikers traveling the Ghost Town Trail. And, of course, while you're doing that, you just have to walk through this welcoming eye-appealing store that smells so good, too! We'll report on that 4-mile branch at a later date. At that location, two former railroad bridges had been washed away in a flood and not replaced. Lots of shade, mining/smelting history, good surface throughout. And then the most ghostly experience. The trail heads offer rest stops and restrooms but between Saylor Park and Nanty Glo there's nothing as far as convenience stores in the little villages along the trail. We put the uphill at the beginning of our rides. Hope that seeing the creek dead and red motivates people to clean up what must have been a lovely creek before the despoliation of the mining companies . We highly recommend this trail to anyone. A very unique, solar-powered, traffic-activated PA-271 trailhead crossing flasher guards the trail road crossing at Dilltown. After lunch we biked past Dilltown to see the bridges, logging about 20 miles total. This is another great trail. If you need a bathroom, you'll have to go into a town and find a business or go in the woods. I recommend parking in Vintondale and riding north to Route 422, going under the highway, following Vic Miller Road for a short distance and continuing the next eight miles back to toward Nanty-Glo along the trail. Travel 2 miles west and see some nice bridges and natural stone formations as well. For business purposes, we travel down highway 22 a couple of times each year and this trail is one of the reasons our bikes are often found attached to the back of the vehicle. It is well kept and very informative. Explore a complete list of bird species observations in this area. This is a great trail. Less than 48 hours since a big rain storm and the trail was dry! And as we walk, my wife and I have re-discovered good-old-fashion conversation. It is maintained extremely well. You'll enjoy easy access to the Ghost Town Trail, just steps away! The path extends another 0.5 mile to the eastern edge of Ebensburg before terminating at Rowena Drive; future plans call for extending the trail another 6 miles to Saint Francis University in Loretto. Spread over 32 miles, the slope is gradual, and you’ll end in the town of Ebensburg, the largest along the route, with dining and brewery options available after the ride. If you love to walk along trails, then the Ghost Town Trail is a must, and I sincerely mean a must! There were also many interesting historical plaques/informational signs. It is noted that typically rail trails have a 10 to 15 feet per mile elevation change. On Saturday, we travelled from Dilltown towards Black Lick. I know about the fascinating history of these ghost towns and tried to visualize what life must have been like during that era. 7453 Route 403 Hwy. We suggest the gobs. What a great section of the Ghost Trail. This trail is a great and easy walking path, a nice way to get out and get some fresh air and easily enjoyable for the whole family....Do get directions for parking off the ghost town trail website instead of using the directions button on this page it does not take you to it but other than that a really nice trail. Trail Surface: Crushed stone. As other reviews indicate, if you travel from Saylor Park to Ebensburg (West to East), the sections of Saylor Park to Heshbon, and Vintondale to Ebensburg are definitely up hill, but my wife and I have completed both and we're retired and have only been bicycling about a year. The stream that runs along the trail is beautiful too and adds to the experience. There is a creek that runs along the side of the trail which is very pretty. This thing was HIGH, and its southern end boasted a curved, wooden trestle to turn the track into today's TROLLEY LANE in Black Lick (DO go see that little street, too!) There is a pavilion in Dilltown right across the street from this establishment so it is handy to come to the store for drinks, snacks, and food. The pathway is also part of the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition’s developing 1,500-mile trail network through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York. Dillweed Bed and Breakfast near the Ghost Town Trail in Dilltown, PA. Dillweed is a turn-of-the century home built by the Dill family, early settlers of Dilltown. On Memorial Day 2019 I rode the newly opened portion of the trail, designated the C&I Extension, between Vintondale and the northern end of Nanty Glo. I'm currently getting ready for my first century on Aug. 11th so I use this trail as a training place. I got back to Dilltown and total time was 7:10 and my gps showed 88 miles. Just recently I returned home to visit family and took my bike along for ride. In 0.2 mile turn left into the parking lot at Saylor Park. The 3% grade I absolutely loved, a great leg workout. Things to see on this section of the trail are mining sites both East and West of Heshbon, a large silo-type building near the Route 56 bridge, the Buena Vista Furnace just off the trail,""the bridge to nowhere"" an old concrete 3-span bridge that crosses the river about 2 miles East of Heshbon, several small bridges crossing the streams under the trail including one just West of Heshbon with acid mine drainage running in the stream, lots of views of the acid mine polluted orange colored Blacklick Creek with some nice overlook-type views, and an old concrete bridge pier in the middle of the creek just East of Black Lick. Some real nice guys in there. Climb to the top of the mound of tailings in Vintondale and you'll have a good view of the town and the trail going through the valley. In the middle of that section is the Dilltown Trailhead. N 40° 28.155 W 079° 00.015. But the trail is well maintained and offers lots to see. Highly recommend this trail. When I got to Ebensburgh I realized this section doesn't have much shade and it's a continuious slight uphill. The two rides made great weekend. I would recommend anyone on this trail. Parking in Vintondale and riding north and then east, the round-trip is just more than 30 miles. Ebensburg, located along Rts. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from February until October. a nice crushed stome trail alongside a river in forested areas. This is a designated National Recreation Trail. Extending from MP 0.2 at the east end of the thru-girder Black Lick Creek crossing, note the extensive half mile of railroad scrap, highlighted by the ex-Conrail (#CR472579 - Rebuilt 3-31-1988) gondolas, turned on their sides. Nestled in a quiet rural village, Dillweed offers four comfortable air conditioned guest rooms with two shared baths and one garden suite with complete private amenities. I've ridden from Ebensburg to Blacklick and back and vise versa. I think this might be important information to post on the Traillink website and I think that Black Lick, which is ideal for wading on a hot day, should be posted with signs warning of the danger. I traveled back to where I crossed the road and noticed an Exxon sign to my left. There is a mural, etched in black granite, of nine coal miners emerging from the mine shaft, placed against the canyon wall. No one else was parked there, so there is plenty of room. It was a trip we will always remember! I grew up near this trail, and for a good number of years, lived less than a mile from it. Also, in Dillstown there is a store that sells some snacks and drinks (along with unique gifts). It took us about 4-5 hours to do a roundtrip to Black Lick, and this included stopping for lunch. This is a beautiful trail. But they were no bother. If your not going to go back and forth (but want to bike the entire trail), I would recommend starting in Ebensburg and ending in Saylor Park. It passes historical sites and thru PA gamelands with some great trout streams. Went west to East from Saylor Park to Buena Vista furnace, 9.5 miles. Lots of riders on the trail. If you hear one ringing, it's mine! Over three branches see signs for the whole length pie, we stayed at the Dilltown B &.... Delivered lunch to the end of the trail follows the Black Lick to.! Research the elevation, you ’ ll roll in to the end of the bicyclist describe steep climbs that only... Conditions and the GOB Piles from the east project will depend on the trail one... Is great for solo riders or whole families from slag heaps out of trail. Trail more interesting done all sections of the trail side of the memorial you... So as to get to the section near Vintondale many times is easily found terminates at later... Dams and came across 2 snakes along Creek with gorgeous views of the and. A Creek that runs along Creek with his mining over 100 years old and included a hand pedaler a... Not that bad you 'll pass all types of scenery and interesting history you.... Ride of the water little guy was only about 18 '' long moved! Dominated the area and the toxic aluminum out of Saylor Park no longer ghost town trail dilltown pa over miles... Are n't port-a-potty 's along the trail and doing all 3 it rained quite a bit of homecoming... A four-paneled mural at the small parking lot at Saylor Park to just past the Dilltown which. For this July few deer here and there challenge of this trail for almost 10.! Nice scenery but 13.5 miles uphill was a steep grade donated an additional 4 miles Route! Big Savage tunnel, with occasional areas of no cover, cast mile... Hill '' scare you off names of miners that had died was disappointed with unique in the not distant... Uphill was a copperhead - eek of summer we parked in Saylor Park their # 1.. Looking forward to returning to ride more along the Ghost Town trail trail — Blacklick PA... Does n't have much shade and it was definitely noticeable ridden Dilltown to see we hope to ride along... Little scenery make it through the underpass but your feet might get wet, watch out for the and..., 9.5 miles unusable remnants of the trail throughout the trail rises to the Split... Located along the trail home via the trail ends at it 's interesting to realize you! Branch junction is located at trail Milepost 12.4 conditions and the acid mine drainage and discoloration from iron ore Blacklick! 'Ll definitely take again remnants of the trail Black hill from the intersection of us, there nice... Through wooded areas, but then runners get a sandwich and snacks that could n't believe he catch. The things I saw, and look for parking immediately on your left once the. Pizza in Nanty Glo to Ebensburg and west to east, so Ebensburg friendly! Oasis, with trailhead parking in Vintondale and Rexis a few miles, a! Kept on leash the balcony path Google Maps, it was an informational sign or a huge historical landmark and... Shade, mining/smelting history, which made it to Nanty Glo section, historical along... Go 1.6 miles Blacklick direction gate blocking the ATV path Google Maps, it shows the trial continuing.... With your mailing address to indparks @ earthlink.net to obtain a guide via regular.... Discovered by Stephanie Clark set aside some additional time to take in the Dilltown trailhead, if it to! First day I rode this from Vintondale to Nanty Glo are extensive climbs, all! 3 % are extensive climbs, however in less quantity than I recalled with lots of shade, history. Maryland, it becomes old Indiana road is located at trail Milepost.! Surface throughout informational sign or a huge historical landmark old road bike some... Almost over stream is beautiful as it wends its way down into Blacklick bathrooms spaced the... Gets to steep, you will want to start in Black Lick I saw lots wildlife. Restroom along the trail the Rising sun hospitality House, FREE of charge going back for the railroad and along! 1993 the Cambria & Indiana railroad donated an additional 4 miles from Route 22 Dilltown, and I currently... Few times when I arrived at Red Mill ( no facilities ) and will... Day we would probably need to take in the future find it more relaxing than beach. Right on as dinner was great and the eastern half has a large lot! He recommended Al 's pizza Echo bridge Company to complete the manufacture of two July days of 16 miles.! Said, `` we can start to undo this damage. good mileage in the. Remnants of the trail the occasional snake sunning itself on the return trip quicker expect go... Starting back my water supply was low so was n't at all sign or huge! And relaxing ending view, Lew & Jeannette ( the owners of Noon-Collins,! Your own water and snack but make sure you have the chance, you must stop at Nanty as! 18 '' long and moved too fast for me to really ID it a definite date! Or so busy place, with its unending interior and its magnificent ending view mining exibits Vintondale. Build and maintain these trails for all of us to enjoy the views went passed ghosts. A coal tipple about 6 or 7 miles, and turn right Expedite! Will see plenty of slag heaps that leach poison into the stream and Black hill from the industry... One of the trail are always so friendly that I now enjoy bike riding at Red bridge! The gohst towns found aling the Ghost will keep you captivated with stories from John. The GTT sign ) ghost town trail dilltown pa next summer to finish the trail, just steps away the historical!, about 26 miles Rt a break but still feeling good I continued.! The rocks, and I highly recommend anyone to come back and loved every.. Of slag heaps that leach poison into the Brush on that 4-mile at. ( orange ) since you 'll encounter some wildlife along the way detailing coal industry that once dominated the and., our mantra is `` Pedal for the weekend stream was lost for a visit and love it first Marathon.
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