West Penn Trail - Bow Ridge Section - 6/5/13

 





This afternoon I decided to check out West Penn Trail. I wanted to take a short hike, but one that was challenging, so I chose the Bow Ridge section.

West Penn Trail is part of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy and follows along or near the Conemaugh River, Conemaugh River Lake, the Kiskiminetas River, and Loyalhanna Creek.

 

The Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas Rivers were part of the Western Division of the old Pennsylvania Mainline Canal System. The Western Division ran from Pittsburgh to Johnstown in the mid 1800's.

 

 

 

Remnants of the old canal ,tow path, locks, bridges, and waste weirs are still visible.

 

 

Along West Penn Trail are old railroad tunnels that pass beneath Bow Ridge.

 

At one time there was also a canal tunnel that passed under Bow Ridge. It was started in 1827 and was only the third tunnel dug in America.

The Bow Ridge section of West Penn Trail winds up and down the hills.



It begins as a paved road then changes into a crushed limestone trail.

At the end it becomes a steep dirt switch-back. This part wasn't too bad on the trip down, but was a challenge for the "old chubby guy" heading back. 

At the bottom of the switch-back the trail levels out and follows the old railroad bed. this begins the Conemaugh River Lake section of West Penn Trail.

This was the railroad bed for the 1907 line.

The water level is pretty low in the lake.

 

 

There are a lot of interesting and beautiful sights along the trail. I turned around after crossing the second old railroad bridge. The weather started looking bad and it was getting late in the evening. I'm looking forward to exploring more of West Penn Trail soon.