Allegheny River Trail – Bicycling the beauty around us

Allegheny River Trail: Foxburg to Parker

On Monday, May 25th, we went for a bicycle ride on a portion of the Allegheny River Trail.

The Allegheny River Trail is 30 miles in length. The trail runs on asphalt between Franklin and Emlenton for 27.5 miles and on an isolated section between Foxburg and Parker for 2.5 miles. It meets the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail in Franklin, crosses beneath the Sandy Creek Trail in East Sandy, and passes through two old railroad tunnels.

We completed the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail in August 2018.

We have yet to ride the Sandy Creek Trail.

As for the Allegheny River Trail, we are riding that trail in segments. In early May 2019, we completed our first segment — Emlenton to Rockland (6 miles). In mid-August 2019 we completed our second segment — Franklin to Belmar (5.1 miles). In September 2019 we completed our third segment — Rockland to Kennerdell (6 miles). We completed our fourth segment — Belmar to Kennerdell (10.4 miles) in October 2019. We completed our fifth segment — Foxburg to Parker — on Monday’s ride (2.5 miles).

We parked at Foxburg and rode south to Parker. We turned around at Parker and rode north, back to the parking lot in Foxburg.

This is a video that Bob took with our GoPro7 camera during our bicycle ride.

I took several still images, while bicycling the trail. All pictures are from the ride back to Foxburg from Parker.

There are a few benches located along the trail.

According to a sign, the overlook is dedicated in honor of Fred McIlhattan for a lifetime of public service and his support of this trail.

The view at the Allegheny River Overlook

We planned to stop at the picnic table here to eat lunch. The picnic table, though, was not in great shape. Also, the location lacked shade.

We crossed over what used to be a train bridge. The Clarion River flows into the Allegheny River under this bridge.

We saw several padlocks on the chain fence, as we crossed the railroad bridge.

We saw several kayaks on the Clarion River.

Looking back at the railroad bridge; Allegheny River on the right.

We saw a small waterfall, along the trail, as we neared Foxburg. Click here for a short video of the waterfall.

Ride Statistics:

• Bicycle Miles Ridden – 5.5 miles

• Total Moving Time – 1 hour 4 minutes

• Maximum Speed – 8.5 MPH

• Average Speed – 5.1 MPH

We can now add Allegheny River Trail to our list of bicycle trails completed.

Allegheny River Trail: Belmar to Kennerdell

On Sunday, October 20th, we went for a bicycle ride on a portion of the Allegheny River Trail.

We completed the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail in August 2018.

We have yet to ride the Sandy Creek Trail.

As for the Allegheny River Trail, we are riding that trail in segments. In early May of this year, we completed our first segment — Emlenton to Rockland (6 miles). In mid-August of this year we completed our second segment — Franklin to Belmar (5.1 miles). In September this year we completed our third segment — Rockland to Kennerdell (6 miles). We completed our fourth segment — Belmar to Kennerdell — on Sunday’s ride (10.4 miles).

We parked at Brandon and rode north to Belmar. We turned around at Belmar and drove south, past where we parked, to Kennerdell and back to the parking lot.

This is a video that Bob took with our GoPro7 camera during our bicycle ride.

I took several still images, while bicycling the trail.

Allegheny River Trail parking lot at Brandon.
We were the first car there, making our arrival around 10:00 am. We are parked in front of the trail. We began our ride by traveling north (past the white car).

I believe Sandy Creek is entering the Allegheny River here, with the Sandy Creek Trail crossing over the bridge.

I captured a short video clip of a boat going underneath the Belmar Bridge.

These stairs lead up to the Belmar Bridge. Bob is checking out the “bike path” alongside the stairs. We didn’t climb up to the bridge. The bridge crossing will be another day.

We are now riding south, making our way to Kennerdell. The Sandy Creek Trail crosses over the Belmar Bridge.

We saw birdhouses frequently along the trail. The birdhouses are the result of Nathaniel Sedlacek’s 2012 Eagle Scout Project, according to signs posted on the birdhouses.

The stairs lead down to a deck with table and chairs. The stairs continue down to the river’s edge. There are no houses anywhere near this structure. There wasn’t a sign indicating that this structure is private. I wonder if it is there for the enjoyment of anyone using the trail.

I LOVE how this picture of the trail turned out!

Neither Bob nor I rode through the tunnel on this ride. Bob rode through this tunnel, as well as the Rockland Tunnel, in September. I rode through the Rockland Tunnel in September, not the Kennerdell Tunnel. I had no desire to ride through Kennerdell Tunnel during this ride.

We turned around at Kennerdell Tunnel and made our way back to the Brandon parking lot.

Allegheny River Trail is paved from Franklin to Emlenton, except for 3/4 of mile. The unpaved portion of the trail is gravel. I hated it! The trail detours here.

We look for eagles, whenever we are on our bicycle rides. We haven’t been fortunate yet to see an eagle, leastwise not a living, breathing eagle.

I captured a short video of the geese, in addition to the still image.

What a beautiful day it was for a bicycle ride on the Allegheny River Trail!

It was an enjoyable ride along the river.

Ride Statistics:

• Bicycle Miles Ridden – 18.32 miles

• Total Moving Time – 2 hours 33 minutes 41 seconds

• Maximum Speed – 11.1 MPH

• Average Speed – 7.1 MPH

27.5 miles down and 2.5 miles to go on the Allegheny River Trail!

Allegheny River Trail: Rockland to Kennerdell

On Sunday, September 15th, we went for a bicycle ride on a portion of the Allegheny River Trail.

We completed the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail in August 2018.

We have yet to ride the Sandy Creek Trail.

We parked at the north end of Rockland Tunnel and rode to Kennerdell Tunnel and back.

Our bicycles are pointed toward Rockland Tunnel. In early May, when we rode the Allegheny River Trail for the first time, Bob rode through Rockland Tunnel. I did not. The 2,868-foot Rockland Tunnel is pitch black. Reflectors mark the trail edges and center. We had strong flashlights mounted on our bicycles. Almost as soon as I entered the tunnel, I began to feel claustrophobic. My arms and legs tensed up, and my balance felt off. I stopped and turned my bicycle around. As soon as I could see the light at the tunnel entrance, I began to feel better. Since that first visit, Bob purchased a strong headlamp. We both made a round trip through Rockland Tunnel on this visit. I made it through the tunnel fine, although a bit shaky.

Signage for Rockland Trailhead (again). In this photograph we are looking north towards Kennerdell.

This old Railroad Signal Mast stands alongside the trail.

This cottage is called ‘Kingfisher Camp’.

Bob and I visited his sister and our brother-in-law a few years back at this cottage. They rented the cottage for a week, if I recall correctly. We would love to spend a long weekend here sometime!

The Kennerdell Tunnel is 3,350 feet long and pitch black. Reflectors mark the trail edges and center.

When we arrived at Kennerdell Tunnel, I chose not to ride through the tunnel. One tunnel ride was enough for me! Bob, however, did make a round trip ride through the tunnel. I am thankful that I did not ride through this tunnel. It is likely I would have fallen down, at the point when Bob was pushed off the trail by oncoming traffic.

That light is Bob, returning from his ride through Kennerdell Tunnel.

Note Bob’s sunglasses. He rode through the tunnel wearing the sunglasses!

Bob said that Kennerdell Tunnel seemed darker than Rockland Tunnel. Wearing sunglasses in the tunnel will do that!

I took a couple more pictures on our way back to the Rockland Trailhead.

On our way to Kennerdell, shortly after leaving the Rockland trailhead, we saw a deer standing alongside the trail. The GoPro camera didn’t capture a video of the deer.

Bob is making sure that the GoPro is armed and ready to go.

If we happened upon that deer again, Bob wanted the GoPro camera armed and ready to shoot.

In my last blog post I mentioned that we purchased a GoPro 7 camera. Bob used that camera to document some of our ride on the trail. At the beginning of the video we ride through Rockland Tunnel. I am in the spotlight 🙂

It was an enjoyable ride along the river. I added 13.68 miles to my bicycle odometer.

17 miles down and 13 miles to go!

Allegheny River Trail: Franklin to Belmar

We drove to Franklin the morning of Saturday, August 17th, and bicycled a portion of the Allegheny River Trail, from Franklin to Belmar and back.

Franklin Trailhead Signage – to Belmar 5.1 miles

There are pretty views of the Allegheny River from the trail.

A few raindrops had fallen, while we rode from Franklin to Belmar. We didn’t have a signal on our mobile phones to check the weather; however, the air felt threatening. So, we turned around here and returned to Franklin.

Another picturesque view of the Allegheny River

The Allegheny River Trail is 30 miles in length. We aspire to complete this trail in segments. In early May of this year, we completed our first segment — Emlenton to Rockland (6 miles). The Franklin to Belmar portion of the trail (5.1 miles) is our second completed segment. 11 miles down and 19 miles to go!

After our bicycle ride, we drove from Franklin to Erie. It rained really hard, as we were driving through Waterford. We believe we made the correct decision to turn around at Belmar. Total bicycle miles ridden: 10.2 miles.

Allegheny River Trail: Emlenton to Rockland

We departed our home in Warren PA at 7:30 am en route Emlenton PA and the Allegheny River Trail. We arrived on Main Street in Emlenton at 9:05 am. We followed signs to the Allegheny River Trail. Road signs pointed us onto the bike trail. Bob was hesitant to drive on the bike trail. I encouraged him to do so, and we came upon a parking area quickly. The Allegheny River Trail is 28.2 miles of flat, smooth, asphalt surface from Emlenton to Franklin. We chose to bicycle only a portion of the trail, from Emlenton to Rockland Tunnel and back.

The beginning of the trail is bordered by a white fence for a short time.

Soon the trail is between the Allegheny River and a wooded hillside.

Dotter Access Area. There are beautiful views of the river along the trail. This is one such view.

The 2,868-foot Rockland Tunnel is pitch black. Reflectors mark the trail edges and center. We had strong flashlights mounted on our bicycles. Bob rode through the tunnel; I didn’t. Almost as soon as I entered the tunnel, I began to feel claustrophobic. My arms and legs tensed up, and my balance felt off. I stopped and turned my bicycle around. As soon as I could see the light at the tunnel entrance, I began to feel better.

I walked inside Rockland Tunnel a little ways to get this picture.

Bob has returned from riding through Rockland Tunnel.

We stopped at this bench for a short rest, while on our way back to the Emlenton trail head.

We enjoyed this view, while sitting on the bench.

I took this picture facing away from the bench.

I rode 11.12 miles round trip. Bob rode a little more than me because he rode through the tunnel and back. It was 11:37 am, when we completed our ride.

It was an excellent day for a bicycle ride. It was overcast, and the temperature stayed in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

We plan to ride more of the Allegheny River Trail later this year.