Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 128 ish to 131-Boston Loop Plus McKeesport
The loop allow you to go two different ways on the the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail. The loop starts in Boston and loops back to Boston both ways have great sites but I love the one that goes by Dead Man’s Hollow.
In the middle of the Loop, the trail goes off to McKeesport. So, we will leave the loop and go to McKeesport and then start back again on the loop to Boston. The loop is six miles long.
128 ish to 129-Train, Squirrel, and Rock Wall
Boston is a great little town with everything that you need. Check out my last post on arriving at Boston for more information.
Starting at the train which is very cool.
The trail has a lot of squirrels and just listen to the sounds of the woods for a moment.
This part of the trail has a lot of little places to sit.
They have these nice little rock walls.
Mile 129 marker.
Mile 129 to 131-Old Train Track, Dead Man’s Hollow,
Along side are some last of the old rail road tracks but only for a bit.
The sign for Dead Man’s Hollow with bike racks. If you have a bit of time, then it is worth stopping and seeing. Check out my post all about it. It has old industrial ruins, a great creek, and a bunch of other items.
Just past Dead Man’s Hollow is one of the last large hills on the GAP Trail.
But you get this great view of a parking lot and a bit of other stuff.
Plus a few squirrels that like to say hi and stare at you.
They have this as a post for a Mile 130 marker.
The train goes by once in a while and you get to hear the whistle blowing.
As you come out of the woods, you share the road for a bit. About a third of a mile long.
Then up a bit of a hill and you arrive at Port Vue.
Then across this bridge which has great view of the river.
Only the view is through a fence.
In the middle of the Bridge what looks like a Mile 130 marker??? I don’t know what to think about having two.
At the end of the bridge go to the left and down a bit.
You have the choose to go back to Boston on the Look or going to McKeesport. Straight is McKeesport and down the path is the loop.
Towards Mckeesport and Mile 131 marker
For a bit you are just following the road on the path but when it dead ends, go to the left and then right at the stop sign. (This is one of the most unmarked parts of the trail and can be confusing.
The building has an street on the other side that you need to go down.
After this street, the trail goes back into a real trail.
But then comes this Mile 132 marker which does not make work. I think that this part of the trail is the old part and the upgrades to the trail changed the miles.
But as you go around the corner and down the way a bit, you get to this nice little park.
The building here is the McKeesport Trail Hostel. Reservation are at (412) 678-6979 or (724) 469-1862.
Mile 131 marker.
The park host a lot of geese as well.
I love this blue bridge that you go under at McKeesport.
The park also host this lighthouse which I love lighthouses.
At the end of the park is a get view of both the blue bridge and a railroad bridge.
Back to the Loop
As you go down the path, you go through a bit wood but most the town. The old ruins, a park, and a few other little things. They say that the store is close and all but it is easier to just hit Homestead about 10 miles away.
A bit of green….but most is the side of town.
The space is pretty but towny.
Ruins of an old factory.
They have a nice little park along the way with a portability bathroom.
Once a upon a time, this area was very industrial. It help fuel the American Industrial Revolution.
This tree has chosen to create hands to hold the leftover wires from an old factory leftovers.
There is another parking area here which has a great train bridge.
The river comes back to the trail at this point.
This track actually goes straight into the build for quicker pick ups.
The great view of the rivers can be seen at this point.
The reminds an old dock is next to the old factory. This would be were the barges would come up and drop off or pick up items.
These are great building from the past.
After the old building, it is going up to the railroad tracks and following them for a bit.
Then you get to the Blue Bridge which you just have to cross to get to Boston.
I love this Bridge. It is just wonderful to look at and crossing it has great views and the end of the loop is on the other side.