Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 94 ish to 102-Dawson to Layton
Dawson to Layton is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail but it is also one of the areas that has only trail with not outside services. But it does have Roundbottom camp grounds for those that are hiking and/or biking the GAP Trail or canoeing the Youghiogheny River.
Mile 94 ish to 95-Dickerson Run
After leaving the Parking area of Dawson…
The train start out with a straight shot but at the bend is…
Dickerson Run which is not much to see but the sign.
But around the next turn…Mile 95
Mile 95-Bat Boxes and a Winding Trail into the Countryside
The tranquility of this part of the trail is unquestionable!
So few people are on this part of the trail. It is a hidden gem.
Just winding around and following the river.
Even a nice picnic area to watch the river flow by.
A few bat boxes as the bats will eat thousands of bugs every night.
Totally enjoyable
But look down as butterflies can be all over the trail both flying and resting.
Just a wonderful walk to enjoy your thoughts.
With the river always flowing next to you.
But at the end of the turn…
Mile 96 starts…
Mile 96-Rock Walls with a Little Waterfalls, Furnace Run, and Tadpoles!
Just after the mile marker is a great place to sit and relax and watch the river flow by.
You can find so much peace on this walk!
Just around the corner…
Little waterfalls over small rock walls.
Walking down to yet another turn.
With the rock wall next to you all all the different colors!
Even rocks in the water!
Another turn to the left that just keeps going.
Once in a while you will find a something very special such as a fawn waiting for its mom. But you have to be on the look out or you can pass it by without noticing it.
Little green bugs.
The around another turn…
The bridge over Furnace Run.
Furnace Run…
A nice picnic table and bench are available.
Little black bugs.
Another turn to the left and then to the right.
Then a pond on the side.
But look closer and see all the Tadpoles!!!
The mile 97 began and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber Memories floats through my mind.
Mile 97-The River, Leafs in Water, and Little Waterfalls.
During the spring, (Photo taken May 13), the trees have a light green leaf as they start to bloom. The colors are so pretty.
The river is by you as you enjoy the day.
You just have to look through the trees.
The trail kinda goes slowly to the left for a while.
In the pond next to the trail, you can see the leafs in the water.
The path starts to have rock walls.
The rock walls are behind the trees so you can only see part of them.
If you love your time on the trail, think about giving to the trail fund. Look at how great they are about clearing the trail quickly.
Another little waterfall.
The trail is still going towards the right.
I love this part of the trail as the trees feel like a Roman Garden with arches.
Just before turning to the left, Mile 98.
Mile 98-Little Waterfalls, Leafs in Water, Perry Township Bridge, and the Train across the Way.
This walk is just beautiful.
On the other side of the river is a trail that goes most days.
A part of our past but with one foot in the current as they limp along.
Winding to the left, this early spring shows the trail coming to life.
A little waterfall comes down the side of the hill to feed into the Youghiogheny River.
Around the next turn, comes up to a stream going down to the River. The best name that I could get was the Perry Township Bridge.
But just prior are these old railroad ties that have been left behind and is a brief reminder of the past.
Just a lovely little tributary of the Youghiogheny River which is a tributary of the Mononahela River.
On the other side is a great little place to relax.
Another little waterfall as you walk down the path…
A bit longer but such a lovely view every where you look…
And another small little waterfall…
I just love the colors in these rocks…
Another bitty waterfall…
Just follow the trail to the next turn.
And another little waterfall…
You have arrived at the 99 mile marker.
Mile 99-Little Waterfalls, A Big Waterfall, P&LE RR Marker with Mushroom, Slush Run, and Round Bottom Camping Area.
Mile 99 is just filled with things to see and enjoy. It is one of those miles that makes this section of the hike worth while!
The picture just show the wet ground but in person, you can see water running over the branches that fill the rocks below them.
The river has little islands which stop the trees that have fallen into it.
And on the other side of the trail, this great waterfall but no way to get to it.
The problem with leaving the trail is that most of it is private property. Another is that you might run into a snake or poison ivy.
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Marker with a mushroom on it. Always fun to see what passers by will do!
The river is just so nice to look at during this section.
The trail was just so new spring green but around this corner…
Slush Run and…
Round Bottom Camping Area.
Bathroom, Water, Shelters, and tent areas. I believe that they have wood available from the downed trees in the area for you to use for a fire.
The rules are very simple. No reservations are required but you must be walking, biking, or canoeing the GAP trail or the Yough River. You can only stay for 2 nights. Take all trash with you, clean up after yourself, and make sure you put out all camp fires before you leave. No alcohol is allow, i.e. this is not a party place…lol
Round bottom is also right on the river. It would be a lovely place to stay for a few nights.
Around another corner…
Another little waterfall that has a bit of a puddle…
And the 100 Mile Marker. Over 2/3 of the trail is complete. Only 1/3 left!!!!
Brief History
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, P&LE RR, was call the Little Giant. It was formed on May 11, 1875 and ran until 1992 when most of the steel mills closed. The railroad was ran from Pittsburgh, PA to Youngstown, OH and from Pittsburgh, PA to Connellsville, PA. In 1976, the railroad opened to Ashtabula, OH, i.e. Lake Erie.
The line only had about 211 miles in which it ran freight but they made up the low mileage in tonnage. The P&LE served the steel mills of Pittsburgh. They specialized in moving coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, and steel.
They also ran passenger lines in between hauling freight. Between 1910 and 1930, the P&LE had over 50 passenger trains running daily which connected with other lines on either side of their railroad for passages to get to the west and east coast.
The main terminal being at Smithfield Street Bridge right across from downtown Pittsburgh which is now Grand Concourse and Gandy Dancer Saloon when you get downtown Pittsburgh. (They have several items of the old station. The architecture is fabulous. Check it out if you have the time.)
Mile 100-Little Waterfalls and Rock Walls
The trail starts to go to the right a bit after you pass Mile 100 marker.
With a little water stream on the side.
The trail goes to the left but goes back to the right.
Then to the left with the river on the right of you.
As it turns to a straight away.
A little stream comes down the hill.
The trail go to the left.
The river is always on the right side.
And opens up to a nice little picnic area.
The trail turns to the to the left but look at what you find.
A rock wall with water dripping off the rocks.
And Mile 101 marker.
Mile 101-Industrial Ruins, Little Waterfalls, and a Bridge
The trail continues around another left turn.
As you turn around, the industry ruins come into view.
Once part of the industrial revolution in America. This would be loaded right on to the train tracks as the train was going by.
The trail become a bit of a straight shot for a bit.
A little waterfall is coming down.
A nice little rock wall with the river in the background comes up.
The little straight bit has a railroad marker off to the side.
As the trail turns to the left.
The trail opens up to this fence which as a few parking spots to the left.
Across the river is a little place with ice cream, snacks, rentals of boat, and other things.
There is a bit of a straight away to get to the parking area and big bridge.
The turn to the left get you to the bridge.
The bridge is so big that it is hard to get a great in one shot.
But Mile 102 marker and the day is over.