{"id":995,"date":"2025-10-30T14:14:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T14:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/?page_id=995"},"modified":"2026-07-21T02:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T02:19:21","slug":"photo-tour-of-connellsville-to-mckeesport-gap-88-131","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/photo-tour-of-connellsville-to-mckeesport-gap-88-131\/","title":{"rendered":"Photo Tour of Connellsville to McKeesport: GAP 89-132"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Youghiogheny River, P&LS Railroad, and Railside Communities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/span><\/strong>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Traveling Westward<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Connellsville (GAP 89)<\/span><\/strong>. The stretch of trail from Connellsville to Whitsett (GAP 104) is a scenic trail lined with woods. Adelaide (GAP 92)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong> Whitsett (GAP 104.1)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. Van Meter is another small community huddled around the railroad and now the trail. Smithton (108.1)<\/span><\/strong>. Smithton is located on the other side of the river. It offers amenities if needed. Cedar Creek Park (GAP 110.3)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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).<\/span><\/strong> Blythedale is a small community lining both sides of the trail. Buena Vista (GAP 120.9)<\/span><\/strong>. Buena Vista is another small community lying adjacent to the trail. Dravo (GAP 122)<\/span><\/strong>. Dravo campground, water pump, and cemetery provide a convenient rest stop and campsite. Greenock (GAP126.0)<\/span><\/strong>. Around the 126-mile marker, the trail begins to become more urbanized. Greenock quickly merges into Boston. Boston (GAP128)<\/span><\/strong>. 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. McKeesport (GAP 132)<\/strong> The route through McKeesport uses backstreets and walkways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling Eastward<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

McKeesport (GAP 132)<\/strong> The route through McKeesport uses backstreets and walkways. Boston (GAP128)<\/span><\/strong>. 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).<\/span><\/strong> Around the 126-mile marker, the trail begins to become less urbanized. Greenock seems to be a continuation of Boston. Dravo (122)<\/span><\/strong>. Dravo campground, water pump, and cemetery provides a convenient rest stop and campsite. Buena Vista (GAP 120.9)<\/span><\/strong>. Buena Vista is another small community lying adjacent to the trail. Blythedale (GAP 118.5)<\/span><\/strong>. Blythedale is a small community lining both sides of the trail. Sutersville (GAP 117.9)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong> Collinsburg (GAP 115)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. 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)<\/span><\/strong>. Smithton is located on the other side of the river. It offers amenities if needed. Van Meter (GAP 106.8)<\/span><\/strong>. Van Meter is another small community huddled around the former railroad and now the trail. Whitsett (GAP 104.1)<\/span><\/strong>. 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. <\/strong>Dickerson Run \/ Dawson (94.6)<\/strong><\/span>. 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).<\/strong> There is Blue Paddle campground (former KOA) at the 92-mile mark with a camp store adjacent to the trail. It has a good ice cream cone. Connellsville (GAP 89<\/span><\/strong>). 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Tour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling Eastward ………….. Traveling Westward<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 89 East. Connellsville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 89 West. Connellsville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 90 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 90 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 91 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 91 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 92 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 92 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 93 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 93 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 94 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 94 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 95 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 95 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 96 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 96 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 97 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 97 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 98 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 98 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 99 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 99 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 100 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 100 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 101 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 101 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 102 East. Due to construction, the marker was removed. The 102 marker is below the bridge which is not shown in the photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 102 West. Due to construction, the marker was removed. The 102 marker is below the bridge which is not shown in the photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 103 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 103 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 104 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 104 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 105 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 105 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 106 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 106 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 107 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 107 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 108 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 108 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 109 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 109 West. Cedar Creek Park is located between GAP109 and GAP110.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 110 East. Cedar Creek Park is located between GAP109 and GAP110. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 110 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 111 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 111 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 112 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 112 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 113 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 113 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 114 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP114 Entering West Newton. The parking lot is in the background. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 115 East.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 115 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 116 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 116 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 117 East.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 117 West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 118 East.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 118 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 119 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 119 West.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 120 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 120 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 121 East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 121 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 122 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 122 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 123 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 123 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 124 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 124 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 125 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 125 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 126 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 126 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 127 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 127 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 128 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 128 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 129 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 129 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 130 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 130 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 131 East. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 131 West. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 132 East. McKeesport <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 132 West. McKeesport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Highlights and Fill-Ins <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 92 Blue Paddle Campground and Store. Located next to the trail, the store sells ice cream, food and other amenities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 109 Cedar Creek County Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 114 West Newton. There is a snack bar behind the train station that sell ice cream. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 114 West Newton. A group of bikers leaving West Newton. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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GAP 118 Blythedale. Blythedale is a small community lining both sides of the trail. It is typical of many of the seemingly rail side communities. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Boston Trail Head [GAP 128]. The booth next to the tractor provides information and sells shirts, etc. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Boston Trail Head [GAP 128]. The booth provides information and sells shirts, etc. Be sure to read the interpretive sign next to the building on the P&LE railroad which comprises the trail from Pittsburgh to Connellsville, where it links up with the Western Maryland Railroad. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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P&LE Interpretive Sign [GAP 128]. The GAP trail is a rail-to-trail bike trail. The GAP trail comprises a section of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie (P&LE) from Pittsburgh to Connellsville, where it links up with the Western Maryland Railroad. The interpretive sign provides some valuable information on the history of the trail. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Click Here for Previous Section: GAP 61-89<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Click Here for Next Section: GAP 131-148<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Click Here to Return Main Page<\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-995","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=995"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1528,"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/995\/revisions\/1528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertbkauffman.com\/BoatingSafety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}