::Ghost Town Trail Bridge Project Completes Missing Link
Ghost Town Trail Bridge Project Completes Missing Link
The completion of two pedestrian bridges has enabled an important missing link in the Ghost Town Trail to be completed.
In 1994 the first 16 miles of the Ghost Town Trail opened for use between Dilltown and Nanty Glo. Since then an additional 17 miles of trail had been completed, but until two bridges and a one mile connection between the bridges were recently completed the entire trail was not continuous. Trail users can now ride from Black Lick in Indiana County to Ebensburg in Cambria County, a distance of 34 miles. A 4-mile trail spur near Vintondale, known as the Rexis Branch, makes the trail a total of 38 miles in length.
According to Ed Patterson, Director of Indiana County Parks & Trails, “this has been a long-awaited and much anticipated project for our trail users. Since the completion of the bridges we are already seeing a significant increase in the number of trail users. We anticipate that as word of the trail connection spreads more visitors will take advantage of the opportunity to ride and experience the entire Ghost Town Trail.”
The two bridges include the Amerford Bridge (222 feet long) and Scott Glenn Bridge (120 feet). Both bridges are named for former mining towns that once existed near the bridge sites. The trail passes through scenic woodlands, State Game Lands and large sections of remote areas in the Blacklick Creek valley.
Along the trail users can visit both the Eliza and Buena Vista Iron Furnaces. The furnaces were in operation until the mid-1800’s producing pig iron for forging mills in Pittsburgh. Along with the ghost towns and remnants of coal mining and railroads, the furnaces provide a glimpse back into the time when the area was known as the ‘Busy Blacklick Valley’.
Extensive information about the Ghost Town Trail is available at the Indiana County Parks & Trails website: www.indianacountyparks.org or by calling (724) 463-8636.
The website features trail maps, a regional trail guide, background information and directions to access areas located along the trail.
