Photo Tour of Confluence to Connellsville: GAP 61-89

Youghiogheny River &
Western Maryland Railroad

Overview

Overview . At Confluence, the Casselman River merges with the Youghiogheny River, and the GAP trail follows the Youghiogheny River to McKeesport, where the Yough merges with the Monongahela River. This section ends in Connellsville, where the Western Maryland Railroad met the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie. The 27-mile section is tree-lined and, for most of the section, it follows in sight of the Youghiogheny River. Ohiopyle is the only community in this section. Although the trail has a slight downhill grade as it follows the Yough, it drops 340 feet in elevation from Ohiopyle to mile marker 81 (i.e. Indian Creek and Camp Carmel). This is a comfortable 0.7% grade.

Traveling Westward

Confluence. (GAP 61). The trail crosses over the Youghiogheny River in Confluence (GAP 61) and follows the river left side of the river all the way to Ohiopyle. For the first two miles, the trail crosses a little-used road twice, and uses the short gravel access road to Ramcat Rapids. Be careful; the gravel access road may have several potholes. Once past the put-in site at Ramcat, the trail enters state park lands. The tree-lined trail has a good view of the Youghiogheny River until it enters the parking lot in Ohiopyle (GAP 71). Ohiopyle (GAP 71). Ohiopyle is an outdoor recreation mecca with thriving rafting businesses, hiking trails and the GAP trail. Most of the necessary amenities may be found in Ohiopyle. The state park provides gated long-term parking for hikers and bikers. Inquire at the train station. The Youghiogheny River makes a loop in Ohiopyle called The Loop. The trail crosses the river on a low bridge above the falls, travels a short distance, and crosses the river again on the high bridge. Both bridges offer scenic views of the river valley. Expect sightseers on both bridges. After the high bridge, the trail descends 340 feet to Camp Carmel and Indian Creek (GAP 81). Most of this land is state park land. Also, the trail veers away from the river, and the river is not visible during the summer on this nine-mile section. A stone arch railroad bridge on the other side of the river easily identifies Indian Creek. The rustic buildings, small cabins and Camp Carmel sign easily identify Camp Carmel. Connellsville (GAP 88-89). At Connellsville, the Western Maryland Railroad connected with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE). At mile marker 87, are two long viaducts. The views are okay, but not spectacular. The trail winds its way through Connellsville, utilizing some urban streets and city parkland. Connellsville has most necessary amenities, including a Martins grocery store on the edge of town next to the trail.

Traveling Eastward

Overview Traveling Eastward. At McKeesport, the Youghiogheny River merges with the Monongahela River. The GAP trail follows the Youghiogheny River to Confluence, where the Casselman River merges with the Youghiogheny River. This section begins in Connellsville, where the Western Maryland Railroad met the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie. The 27-mile section is tree-lined and, for most of the section, it follows in sight of the Youghiogheny River. Ohiopyle is the only community in this section. Although the trail has a slight downhill grade as it follows the Yough, it increases 340 feet in elevation from mile marker 81 (i.e. Indian Creek and Camp Carmel) to Ohiopyle. This is a comfortable 0.7% grade. Connellsville (GAP 88-89). At Connellsville, the Western Maryland Railroad connected with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE). The trail winds its way through Connellsville, utilizing some urban streets and city parkland. Connellsville has most necessary amenities, including a Martins grocery store on the edge of town next to the trail. At mile marker 87, are two long viaducts. The views are okay, but not spectacular. Camp Carmel and Indian Creek (GAP 81), the trail ascends 340 feet to Ohiopyle. A stone arch railroad bridge on the other side of the river easily identifies Indian Creek. The rustic buildings and small cabins identify Camp Carmel. Most of this land is state park land. Also, the trail veers away from the river, and the river is not visible during the summer on this nine-mile section. Ohiopyle (GAP 71). Ohiopyle is an outdoor recreation mecca with thriving rafting businesses, hiking trails and the GAP trail. Most of the necessary amenities may be found in Ohiopyle. The state park provides gated long-term parking for hikers and bikers. Inquire at the train station. The Youghiogheny River makes a loop in Ohiopyle called The Loop. The trail crosses the river on the high bridge, travels a short distance, and crosses the river again on the low bridge. Both bridges offer scenic views of the river valley. Expect sightseers on both bridges. Confluence (GAP 61). Leaving the parking lot in Ohiopyle, the trail follows the river left side of the Youghiogheny River to Confluence (GAP 61). [Note: Looking down the river, river left is always the left side of the river.] The tree-lined trail has a good view of the Youghiogheny River until shortly before Confluence. For the last two miles, the trail uses the short gravel access road to Ramcat Rapids, and crosses a little-used road twice. The gravel access road may have several potholes.