Get Up and Walk - National Tunnel

I first learned about the National Tunnel from Great Little Walks in the Pittsburgh Area by Yvonne Merrill and Mary Shaw.  While it is a little hard to find these days, it's a great book and I highly recommend it. The Allegheny Library System has at least one copy so if you have a library card you should be able to access it.

How do you get to the National Tunnel? Take I-79 to the Southpointe/Hendersonville exit (exit 48). At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn east towards Hendersonville and go 0.5 miles to a stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign onto Morganza Road, and then go 0.6 miles downhill and turn left onto Cecil Henderson Road. Travel 1.2 miles on Cecil Henderson to the trail access/parking area on the left.  It is a short walk from the parking area to the tunnel - if you're standing at your car, facing the trail then the tunnel is maybe 3/4 of a mile to your right.

One of the really nice things about the National Tunnel, in my opinion, is that this is a very active stretch of the Montour Trail.  While out cross-country skiing today I met 7 other people, 5 of whom were also skiing.  I usually visit the Tunnel during the winter because I think the icicles are very cool.  Because the tunnel is 623 feet sometimes it gets its own atmosphere going in there.  While the tunnel does have reflectors, it is interesting to note that the reason why the tunnel is so dark is because it has a slight bend in it - you literally can not see the end of the tunnel. (I find this very amusing).  Here are some pictures from my winter adventures at the National Tunnel.

Montour Trail - mile marker 26

See the 'fog' that builds up in the center of the tunnel.  Lots of ice on this particular day.

Slightly passed the middle of the tunnel, seeing the bend in it.

Get Up and Walk - Sideling Hill Picnic Area in Buchanan State Forest

Sideling Hill Picnic Area is on US Route 30 (Lincoln Highway)at the summit of Sideling Hill Mountain, located six miles east of Breezewood near the Fulton and Bedford County line. Additional amenities include horseshoe pits and an open mowed area. Each picnic area offers pavilions, picnic tables, grills and a toilet facility.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/buchanan/index.htm 

The Buchanan State Forest is named after James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States. Buchanan State Forest covers 69,703 acres in Franklin, Fulton and Bedford counties.

South Park

South Park is 2,013 acres located just outside Pittsburgh in Bethel Township.  I believe this is the Maple Spring Loop, which is 1.75 miles long.  Along the way we see the Workout Trail, a wedding, and some woods.  You can access trail maps at http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/maps/spwalk.pdf.  I would recommend a pedometer for this walk because the trail is paved, not blazed and it is easy to loose track of how far you've traveled.

There are several marked trails to try including:
Bison Ridge Trail - 6 miles
Fairgrounds Trail - 1.4 miles
Corrigan Walkway - 2 miles

I strongly recommend taking a map with you until you learn the park.  Also, when driving in the park don't forget to watch out for runners.  When I was leaving I almost hit a runner who zipped around a turning car.  They're use to having the right-away (which they should) and they are not watching for you; you have to be vigilant watching for them. 

Yuko-En on the Elkhorn

Looking for a place to take a beautiful stroll? Yuko-En on the Elkhorn is definitely that place. Located just a few miles outside of Georgetown, KY it was well worth the time to stop on my journey. The entire garden is 6 acres, just enough to stretch the legs and get some exercise. I'd love to stop again when I have a bit more time.

To learn more about this Kentucky-Japan Friendship Garden visit them at http://www.yuko-en.com/.

 

Kane Woods - Part 2

What goes down must eventually go up and this is that section of the trail.  Please pardon my breathing.  It was incredibly hot out (in the 90's) and very humid, although it was cooler on the trail it was still hot.  To learn more about this trail please visit http://www.scottconservancy.org/kane.htm

Kane Woods - Part 1

I was lucky enough to go on a Whiskey Rebellion walk in Kane Woods.  It was my first time visiting these woods and it was very nice.  The reenactors were quite good - the catcalls were quite funny.  I would recommend visiting the area in early July to catch the reenactment.  Visit http://www.scottconservancy.org/kane.htm to learn more.