Photo Tour of Connellsville to McKeesport: GAP 88-131

Youghiogheny River, P&LS Railroad, and Railside Communities

Overview

Overview. The GAP trail follows the lazily flowing Youghiogheny River along this section. The trail drops a modest average of six feet per mile. There are two general characteristics of this section. The first is that the trail is dotted with small communities that seem to have been located there because of the railroad. When the railroad was active, it went through people’s backyards. Most of these communities are open spaces with grass lawns. The second characteristic of this section is that wooded areas are in between the communities. In general, the wooded areas enclose the sides of the trail and the overhead canopy, making for a pleasant experience in a natural setting.

Traveling Westward

Connellsville (GAP 89). The stretch of trail from Connellsville to Whitsett (GAP 104) is a scenic trail lined with woods. Adelaide (GAP 92). There is a KOA campground at the 92-mile mark with a camp store adjacent to the trail. It makes a good ice cream cone. Dickerson Run / Dawson (94.6). Dawson is on the other side of the river. Other than the parking area, there are few signs of Dickerson Run, which is on the trail side of the river. Fuller (GAP 103) Whitsett (GAP 104.1). Whitsett was a company town owned town of Pittsburgh Coal Company. The coal company owned and maintained the homes. After Whitsett, there is a series of rail communities hugging the trail followed by a section of woods separating the communities. There is an interpretive sign worth stopping and reading about the community. Van Meter (GAP 106.8). Van Meter is another small community huddled around the railroad and now the trail. Smithton (108.1). Smithton is located on the other side of the river. It offers amenities if needed. Cedar Creek Park (GAP 110.3). Cedar Creek is a park located adjacent to the Youghiogheny River. It includes a boat ramp. For the biker, there is a road paralleling the trail within the park, and some congestion. West Newton (GAP 114.1). West Newton is a trail town. At the trail station, is parking, information, several vendors, and an ice cream stand. The trail from West Newton to Greenock and Boston is mostly enclosed woods with occasional interruptions by small communities. Collinsburg (GAP 115). No sooner than passing through West Newton is Collinsburg. A small development, it consists of a road paralleling the trail and several houses. Smithdale (GAP 116.5) Sutersville (GAP 117.9). Across the bridge lies Sutterville. It provides most amenities. On the GAP trail side of the river, the Yough Twister ice cream stand is 100 yards off the trail on the main road. Blythedale (GAP 118.5). Blythedale is a small community lining both sides of the trail. Buena Vista (GAP 120.9). Buena Vista is another small community lying adjacent to the trail. Dravo (GAP 122). Dravo campground, water pump, and cemetery provide a convenient rest stop and campsite. Greenock (GAP126.0). Around the 126-mile marker, the trail begins to become more urbanized. Greenock quickly merges into Boston. Boston (GAP128). Leaving Boston, the trail parallels closely the Yougiogheny River for two miles in an enclosed forested environment. Just after the 130-mile marker, the trail dumps onto the little-used River Ridge Road for a mile. There it crosses the Youghiogheny River at the 131-mile marker and enters McKeesport.

Traveling Eastward

Boston (GAP128). Leaving McKeesport, the trail parallels closely the Yougiogheny River. For a mile, the trail uses the little-used River Ridge Road. Just before the 130-mile marker, the trail enters a two-mile stretch of an enclosed forested environment. There it enters Boston, which has an information station and other amenities. After Boston, there are a series of rail communities hugging the trail followed by a section of woods separating the communities. Greenock (GAP126.0). Around the 126-mile marker, the trail begins to become less urbanized. Greenock seems to be a continuation of Boston. Dravo (122). Dravo campground, water pump, and cemetery provides a convenient rest stop and campsite. Buena Vista (GAP 120.9). Buena Vista is another small community lying adjacent to the trail. Blythedale (GAP 118.5). Blythedale is a small community lining both sides of the trail. Sutersville (GAP 117.9). Across the bridge lies Sutterville. It provides most amenities. On the GAP trail side of the river, the Yough Twister ice cream stand is 100 yards off the trail on the main road. Smithdale (GAP 116.5) Collinsburg (GAP 115). No sooner than passing through West Newton is Collinsburg is a small development. It consists of a road paralleling the trail and several houses. It seems to merge into West Newton. West Newton (GAP 114.1). West Newton is a trail town. At the trail station, is parking, information, several vendors, and an ice cream stand. The trail from West Newton to Greenock and Boston is mostly enclosed woods with occasional interruptions by small communities. Cedar Creek Park (GAP 110.3). Cedar Creek is a park located adjacent to the Youghiogheny River. It includes a boat ramp. For the biker, there is a road paralleling the trail within the park, and some congestion. Smithton (108.1). Smithton is located on the other side of the river. It offers amenities if needed. Van Meter (GAP 106.8). Van Meter is another small community huddled around the former railroad and now the trail. Whitsett (GAP 104.1). Whitsett was a company town owned of the Pittsburgh Coal Company. The coal company owned and maintained the homes. There is an interpretive sign worth stopping and reading about the community. The stretch of trail from Whitsett to Connellsville (GAP 89) is a scenic trail lined with woods. Dickerson Run / Dawson (94.6). Dawson is on the other side of the river. Other than the parking area, there are few signs of Dickerson Run, which is on the trail side of the river. Adelaide (GAP 92). There is a KOA campground at the 92-mile mark with a camp store adjacent to the trail. It has a good ice cream cone. Connellsville (GAP 89). As the trail enters Connellsville, there is a Martins grocery store. In Connellsville, there are several fast food stores. The trail goes through a park. Water is available there.

Photo Tour

Note: The mile markers from mile 90 to 113 utilize the old markers. The location of the new markers have changed location slightly, but these markers will provide a good indication of the terrain.