Lower Trail facts for kids

The Lower Trail is a fun outdoor path in West-Central Pennsylvania. It's about 16.5-mile (26.6 km) long and follows the Juniata River. This trail is special because it used to be a railroad line! It goes from Flowing Springs in Blair County to Alfarata in Huntingdon County.

A group called Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania owns and takes care of the Lower Trail. It's free for everyone to use, but they do accept donations to help keep it nice. The trail is great for cycling, running, hiking, watching birds, cross-country skiing, and even horseback riding. In 2009, the U.S. government named it a National Recreation Trail.

Discovering the Lower Trail's Past

How the Trail Came to Be

The land where the Lower Trail now sits has a really interesting history! A long time ago, in the early 1800s, part of this area was a "towpath" for the Pennsylvania Canal. Canals were like water highways that helped boats move goods. This canal system, called the "continuous waterways," connected big cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

But by the 1850s, trains became super popular. The Pennsylvania Railroad built tracks through the mountains, like the famous Horseshoe Curve. Trains were faster than canal boats, so the canals weren't used much anymore. Railroads then built their own lines along many of the old towpaths.

From Railroad to Recreation Path

The Lower Trail follows the path of what was once the Petersburg Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. This railroad line stopped being used in 1979. For the next eight years, the old train tracks were sold for scrap metal, and the land was put up for sale.

In 1989, a group called Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania Inc. bought the first part of the trail. This was possible because a lawyer named T. Dean Lower made a generous private donation. The trail was named in honor of his late wife. Later, more sections of the trail were bought with help from another donation and money from the state and federal governments.

Keeping the Trail Awesome

Who Helps Maintain the Trail?

The Lower Trail is owned and cared for by Rails to Trails of Central Pennsylvania. This is a non-profit group, which means they don't make money from the trail. Instead, they use donations and membership fees to keep it in great shape.

Many dedicated volunteers help maintain the trail all year long. They make sure the path is clear and safe for everyone to enjoy in every season. Their hard work, along with money from members, donations, and grants, helps keep the trail looking good.

New Trail Connections

In the fall of 2019, a new part of the trail opened up! This extension connects the Flowing Springs trailhead directly to Canoe Creek State Park. What's really cool is that it includes an underpass. This means trail users can go safely under US Route 22 without having to cross the busy road. This project was made possible with big grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and local governments.

Where to Start Your Adventure

The Lower Trail has six main places where you can start your journey. These are called trailheads. Each trailhead has parking available and picnic tables, so you can relax and have a snack before or after your adventure!