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FreeWheeling Easy SupplementSeptember 2001
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Panhandle Trail (new addition)From Walkers Mill in Collier Twp near Pittsburgh to Weirton (near Colliers) WVThe first interstate trail in West Virginia and the second in our western Pennsylvania (after Stavich), the Panhandle Trail is growing from both ends toward the middle. It follows the former Panhandle Branch RR for 29 miles from Walker’s Mill west of Pittsburgh to near Weirton WV. The trail runs through rural areas and small towns. The wide right of way is finished in crushed stone. Allegheny County’s 7-mile section is complete from Walker’s Mill Rd in Collier Twp to Laurel Hill Rd in McDonald. Here the trail runs in an open wooded valley from one small town to another. A few of these towns provide services for trail users, but for the most part the trail passes through typical rural Pennsylvania. In Washington County, half a mile of trail is finished between Primrose and McDonald in the bottomlands of Robinson Run. The view here is dominated by the high McDonald Trestle that will carry the Montour Trail over this valley. The 3.2-mile West Virginia section reflects the more rugged topography of that state. The railroad shared a narrow valley bottom with the creek, Harmon Creek Rd, and an occasional row of houses or industrial plant, and the village of Colliers. An old-fashioned swimming hole, complete with rope swing, is nestled near the trail near MP1. There are no services accessible from the trail. When the Panhandle is completed, it will be not only a popular trail in its own right but also an important link in the growing network of traffic-free recreational trails. Its first connection will be to the existing Montour Trail west of McDonald. In the future, it will provide a link from the Pittsburgh area to the emerging West Virginia-Ohio system.
Amenities Sandwiches in Walkers Mill, various services in McDonald. None on WV segment. Access points Vicinity: Directions begin headed west on US22/30 (Parkway West) from Pittsburgh. Walkers Mill trailhead (eastern): Take the Carnegie exit from the Parkway West into Carnegie. Cross Chartiers Creek on Main St and continue out of town on this road, which becomes Noblestown Rd. At 2.3 miles from Chartiers Creek, turn left on Walkers Mill Rd. Follow this road around a couple of corners to trailhead parking on the right. Weirton trailhead (WV section): Follow US22 into WV and take the 3rd exit, for Harmon Ck. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right (south). Go 0.3 mile, crossing a bridge over Harmon Ck and the trail. Take the first right, almost a U-turn, and descend to stream level. After 0.1 mile, turn right at the sign into trailhead parking. Trail organization Panhandle Trail Association, PO Box 19 Maps, guides, and other references USGS Topographic maps: Oakdale, Canonsburg, Midway, Clinton, Burgettstown, Avella, Steubenville East, Weirton |
You are visiting FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania, copyright © 1998,1999,2000,2001 by Mary Shaw and Roy Weil. We encourage you to link to these pages or print copies for personal use. However, if you want to copy the material for any other use, you must ask us first. Other outdoor publications by the authors. Page updated 01/21/06 by Mary Shaw Comments to maintainer.
As always we have made a serious effort to present accurate descriptions. However we are human, trails change with time, and we occasionally receive incorrect information. Therefore we can not be responsible for discrepancies between these descriptions and actual trail conditions. Use common sense, judgment and be careful out there.