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Reply to Other trails..
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speedster on 5/12/2012 3:22:26 PM:
Just wanted to ask folks on here what other trails you've travelled (besides C&O and GAP).

Any experiences good and bad about trails you've trekked, either in part or in full. How was the weather, was the trail surface an impediment, was it more of an urban or rural trail, was there scenic photo opportunites, any interesting side-trips in the vicinity of its location that are worth seeing, etc.

Hoping to get a few suggestions of other trails worth doing. Primarily focused on ones in the Northeast.

 
lenny on 5/12/2012 7:55:19 PM:
West Penn Trail Westmoreland-Indiana Pa. 16 miles very challenging buty extremly scenic. Ghost Town Trail Indiana-Cambria Pa. 60+miles. Hoddlebug Trail Indiana Pa. 12miles.Pine Creek Gorge 60+miles Jersy Shore to Wellsboro, Pa. These trails are all beautiful but unique in there own right. google tyhem they are on the net.

 
speedster on 5/12/2012 10:39:20 PM:
OK, thanks Lenny.

I did the Pine Creek Trail last year and enjoyed it, except for the rain I encountered that day. Started up at the Wellsboro end and made it all the way down to Jersey Shore. Will be looking into the other suggestions.

Anyone else have anything not already mentioned?

 
Paulie from Knoxville on 5/14/2012 6:09:22 AM:
Here are some of my favorites-

The Katy- Across the state of MO. Over 200 miles long.

The Creeper- Only 60 miles long in southwest VA. Beutitful !

New River- Another VA trail, 75ish miles with little traffic.

The Comet/Cheif Ladiga- Atlanta GA to Aniston AL. 100 miles paved.

A few more I've never done but maybe someday-The Cowboy in Nebraska, the Greenbriar in WVA,and the Little Miami in OH.

Good Luck Paulie

 
Randy on 5/14/2012 9:26:49 AM:
Western Maryland Rail Trail
It actually parallels the C&O Canal for much of the way. 23 Miles Long starting at Big Pool, MD to Pierre. The trail is completely paved. My favorite section is after Hancock, MD where it gets more mountainous.
Pine Creek Gorge in Wellsboro, PA is great
Lehigh Gorge Trail in Jim Thorpe, PA is awesome

If you're looking for the ultimate hiking experience check out Rickett's Glen, PA. The waterfalls trail is incredible.
Always take your camera!

 
lenny on 5/14/2012 7:10:19 PM:
Randy, good call on the Western Md.I missed that one. Also there is talk of extending the WMT to Cumberland.

 
speedster on 5/14/2012 10:03:43 PM:
Yes, forgot to mention that I covered half of the WMRT on my tour of the C&O.

It was a nice change of pace going from the loose gravel of the C&O onto the paved surface of the WMRT. Almost felt like the bike drove itself, the level of resistance was such a contrast.

I almost missed the crossover point at Pearre to get to the WMRT though, signage was either non-existent or I must have missed it.

I would welcome an extension of the WMRT to Cumberland. Seems like a no-brainer, though I imagine it would take a few yrs to bring things to fruition.

 
lenny on 5/15/2012 8:01:51 AM:
I think I use Lock 56 or 57 as my jumping off point from the C7O to WMRT. I think they were surveying last July when I went through.

 
speedster on 5/15/2012 6:30:30 PM:
Here's a question..

Has anyone done the Decker's Creek and/or Mon (Monongahela)River Trail in WV?? It's located in/around the Morgantown area. Would like to hear from anybody that's trekked thru there with any thoughts/opinions about the basic aspects of the trail like scenery, trail surface, etc.

 
Mr Purple Paul from Allentown on 5/18/2012 6:50:36 PM:
I've done short day trip on several trail... I've been lucky that all of them have been good rides...

Pine Creek Gorge Trail (Wellsboro, PA) ... did 40 miles in 2010 (my first long trip in nearly 15 years) this is a great trail and very scenic...

York County Heritage/Northern Central Railroad (York, PA to Monkton, MD) trails are good as well... I did the NCR when I was younger and recently started riding sections of the YCH ... some nice business have sprouted up along the trail

Lehigh Vally Gorge (Jim Thorpe)... this is my current favorite trail... I usually take the shuttle and ride down to Jim Thorpe... it's got some sandy areas which can be challenging but the ride is nice and relaxed...

Perkiomen Trail ... I just rode this for the first time this week .. I only rode the southern half and back .. it's in good shape and well maintained .. I started at the halfway point because there is a serious 12% grade section just about 5 miles in on the Northern half...

 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 5/31/2012 8:47:55 PM:
This is for Speedster regarding Decker's Creek. I have rode that trail a number of times. It is a good climb for a trail. Reminds me of the trail at Cumberland towards Big Savage. Go to Montrails.org for good info. You come out of Morgantown and follow the creek for a ways. Overall, in my opinion, it is not the most scenic trail you'll ever be on. There is a good stretch that has a nice hard running water, big rocks thing going on. Not really rapids or waterfalls but cool none the less. The trail itself is in good condition. There are a several other trails that join the Decker's Creek trail and they are all in good condition.