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Allegheny River Trail: Emlenton to Rockland

We departed our home in Warren PA at 7:30 am en route Emlenton PA and the Allegheny River Trail. We arrived on Main Street in Emlenton at 9:05 am. We followed signs to the Allegheny River Trail. Road signs pointed us onto the bike trail. Bob was hesitant to drive on the bike trail. I encouraged him to do so, and we came upon a parking area quickly. The Allegheny River Trail is 28.2 miles of flat, smooth, asphalt surface from Emlenton to Franklin. We chose to bicycle only a portion of the trail, from Emlenton to Rockland Tunnel and back.

The beginning of the trail is bordered by a white fence for a short time.

Soon the trail is between the Allegheny River and a wooded hillside.

Seen from the trail

Note the 1917 date on the tunnel.

Dotter Access Area

Dotter Access Area. There are beautiful views of the river along the trail. This is one such view.

Dotter Access Area seen from the trail

Rockland Tunnel

The 2,868-foot Rockland Tunnel is pitch black. Reflectors mark the trail edges and center. We had strong flashlights mounted on our bicycles. Bob rode through the tunnel; I didn’t. Almost as soon as I entered the tunnel, I began to feel claustrophobic. My arms and legs tensed up, and my balance felt off. I stopped and turned my bicycle around. As soon as I could see the light at the tunnel entrance, I began to feel better.

I walked inside Rockland Tunnel a little ways to get this picture.

Bob has returned from riding through Rockland Tunnel.

We stopped at this bench for a short rest, while on our way back to the Emlenton trail head.

We enjoyed this view, while sitting on the bench.

I took this picture facing away from the bench.

I rode 11.12 miles round trip. Bob rode a little more than me because he rode through the tunnel and back. It was 11:37 am, when we completed our ride.

It was an excellent day for a bicycle ride. It was overcast, and the temperature stayed in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

We plan to ride more of the Allegheny River Trail later this year.

An Interlude

Bob took off work Monday and Tuesday. I planned Monday’s activities; Bob was in charge of Tuesday’s activities. As one would expect, Monday was filled with photographic opportunities. I am sharing the fruit of those photographic opportunities with you throughout this week.

We departed home (Warren, PA) around 9:00 am. We didn’t return home until 9 hours later! We drove through several western Pennsylvania counties. Our first stop was in Clarion, PA. Our second stop was at Brady’s Bend Overlook and East Brady. Our third stop was in Parker. Today’s blog post showcases photographs taken while on the road between Parker and Cranberry, where we stopped for lunch.

There was no ice jam on the Allegheny River in Foxburg, PA.

Owl sculpture near the border of Venango and Clarion counties

According to a Weird Pennsylvania article, this owl sculpture sits in a field near a cemetery. I didn’t see a cemetery. I did see a picturesque barn, though.

Barn located across the owl sculpture, along Route 38
I believe this is an Amish barn,
as there were wagon wheels in the snow leading to the barn door.
I like the fancy window at the peak of the roof.

Continuing along Route 38, we saw a most colorful sight.

Multicolored caterpillar,
located near the intersection of Routes 38 and 322
in Cranberry, PA

We ate a late lunch at Bob Evans Restaurant in Cranberry. We each ordered one of the 3-course dinner selections. I chose the Potato-Crusted Flounder entree served with fresh steamed broccoli, a Farmhouse Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing, one slice each Banana Nut Bread and Chocolate Bread and, for dessert, a fresh fruit dish. Bob chose a steak entree (if I remember correctly) served with vegetables, a Farmhouse Garden Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, two slices of Chocolate Bread and, for dessert, a double chocolate cookie. Bob Evans breads are high in calories and carbohydrates, but they are very delicious!

From Cranberry, we drove to the Kennerdell Scenic Overlook — the subject of my next blog post.

Emlenton, Foxburg and Marienville

Leaving Freedom Falls we drove into the town of Emlenton, located less than 5 miles from the falls. We visited the Emlenton Antique Store, located inside the Emlenton Mill.

Emlenton Mill

Built in 1875, the Emlenton Mill was one of the first steam powered grist mills in the United States. Later converted to gas and then electricity the Emlenton Mill was in operation for over 100 years. Today the Emlenton Mill houses Emlenton Mill Antiques and the Emlenton Creamery. The antique store was open; however, the creamery was closed for the season.While at Emlenton Mill Antiques we saw paintings and prints; Virginia Rose table settings; cups, saucers, and depression glass; old wooden toys and some furniture and crafts. We didn’t buy anything; however, I did look at the prices for the Virginia Rose table settings. I have a few Virginia Rose serving pieces that belonged to my mom. I have no plans to sell any of the serving pieces; however, it was interesting to see that some of the pieces were priced at $20+.

There is a bridge at Emlenton that is worth noting.

Emlenton Bridge

According to Wikipedia the I-80 Emlenton Bridge at 270 feet above the Allegheny River was the highest bridge in the Interstate Highway System when completed in 1968. This record was held until 1971 with the opening of the Fred G. Redmon Bridge near Selah, Washington. The Emlenton Bridge remains the highest road bridge in Pennsylvania. With an overall span of 1,668 feet, it was the largest bridge constructed as part of the Keystone Shortway project. With the completion of the Interstate System, it is likely that the Emlenton Bridge will remain the fourth highest bridge in the system for a significant time, behind the Glade Creek Bridge in West Virginia , the Pine Valley Creek Bridge in California, and the aforementioned Redmon Bridge.

Before beginning our drive back home we stopped at The Allegheny Grille in Foxburg. The Allegheny Grille is located on the banks of the Allegheny River. The waitress sat us at a table with an expansive view of the river. Our lunches were very filling. Bob ordered a Buffalo Chicken Salad of mixed greens, house made chicken tenders tossed with buffalo hot sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, crumbled blue cheese and blue cheese dressing. I ordered a Big Grille Salad of mixed greens, red onion, hard boiled egg, cucumber, tomato, shredded mozzarella cheese and grilled chicken breast.

We made one more stop on our way home. In Marienville we stopped at The Bucktail Hotel, where we enjoyed pie for dessert. Bob ordered a chocolate peanut butter cream pie; I ordered a coconut cream pie. Both of our pies had meringue piled high and were delicious. We were there for only a short time but enjoyed our visit immensely. We had a very nice conversation with the proprietor, who identified the children in photographs that lined the wall near our table. What a lovely family she has! I think it is wonderful, too, that the entire family gets together at Christmastime and for the 4th of July!