Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 50 to 54 plus-Markleton to Fort Hill

So far, I have hiked about 105 mile of the GAP Trail plus the extra 95 back to the van. I started the trail in Pittsburgh in sections as the Covid19 had everyone on lock down and my local park was to full to walking in and social distant. But the trail only had a few people if any when I was hiking it.

As much as I have enjoyed the trail, this is my favorite part as of yet and I will want to go back in the Fall or Spring to see it over again.

Mile 50-A Creek, Rock Walls, Casselman River, and An Interesting Trees

One third of the trail done but this was the best section. So pretty and so much to see.

The trail is mostly straight as you start out for the day.

Any time that you have a fence, check and see what it might have below it.

This is a nice little creek that goes down to the Casselman River.

Both sides have little trail that will go down to them. On a hot day, a nice place to put your feet in and relax.

The walls start to come up!!!

Then the rocks come up.

I just love the colors in the rocks and the trees finding life in them.

As you turn the corner, a nice bench. I think that it is looking at a Waterfall but it is dry for the summer.

Along the side of the trail is some great views of the Casselman River.

The trail turns to the right but the smells are sweet.

The water of the Casselman River is so clear that you can see the rocks below the water.

A bit of a straight away.

Great things are going on in the mountain beside you!!

The straight a ways hide benches.

Trees that are a bit spooky.

Around the next corner, another bench. It is almost like someone knows that this is a place of peace that you need to sit and relax for a few moments.

A nice canopy of trees to block out the sun for a bit.

There are a few of these dried up little waterfalls along the trail. I think that they are all full in the spring as the snow melts.

Mile 51 marker is just around the last corner.

Mile 51-Rocky Tree Lined Area, Casselman River, Off the Trail for a Moment, & Pinkerton Tunnel

Just past the mile 51 marker is a great little picnic area.

The rocky hills with little trees running on them.

The trail is so beautiful and mostly straight away.

So, many different benches along the way.

But along the way, the Casselman River can be seen through the trees.

Even better, the slow moment of water can be hear as you walk along the trail.

The trees are just so beautiful in this area. They shadow the trail with shade on a hot day.

The power lines kill the thought that you are out in the wild.

But it is a great view of the mountains and Casselman River.

But after the power lines come another little straight line of trail and beautiful trees.

Just wonderful looking rocks, trees, and other things.

Lots of different greenery.

Then the trail comes more tree lined.

Coming around the corner, the Pinkerton Low Bridge over Casselman River and Pinkerton Tunnel.

As you approach the Pinkerton Low Bridge, you can see through the tunnel to the Pinkerton High Bridge on the other side of the tunnel.

Down river on the left side.

Off to the right side of the Pinkerton Low Bridge, are these beautiful rock area which on the other side of the bridge.

On the Pinkerton Low Bridge, the water is so clear that you can see the rocks below. Some times a fish or two.

As you come across the Pinkerton Low Bridge, you have three paths that you can take.

This side trail down to the rocks pictured above but I will come back to that.

The Pinkerton Tunnel Bypass which is about a 1.2 mile trail around the mountain which was used when the tunnel was not available for use.

Going through Pinkerton Tunnel.

As soon as you get to the other side of Pinkerton Tunnel, you are at Mile 52 marker. The picture above is looking back towards Cumberland but on the right is where you come out if you take Pinkerton Tunnel Bypass.

Side Trail down to the Rocks Below

After you cross the Pinkerton Low Bridge on the right side is this little trail.

The trail is not very wide and most people with bikes lock them up on a tree or near the bridge.

But it is a great place to get a picture of the Pinkerton Low Bridge and these rocks are an easy way to get down to the Casselman River banks.

If you go up the river a bit, then I saw a few people splashing in the water but careful of the areas that are deep. It looks like this river has a wicked undertow.

But I found a nice rock to sit on and put my little feet in for a nice soak before heading back to the van.

Pinkerton Tunnel Bypass

The Pinkerton Tunnel Bypass goes around the mountain and follows the Casselman River.

The trail kinda twist back and forth as it follows the Mountain top.

With little straight a ways with small turns to the next straight a ways.

Really cool trees that deify rocks that are in their way.

The feeling on this part of the trail is a bit different. I am not sure why. It just feels a bit different.

At the end of this area, a bench is waiting for you to remember that you have taken “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.

Which if you are on this trail, then you most likely have taken that…Two roads diverged in a wood, and…you have taken the one less traveled….

Plus the Casselman River has followed you all the while.

As you turn this corner, the Casselman River goes around forth down straight and leaves the trail side for a bit.

This will be a horseshoe turn.

The river as been taken over by sights like this for a bit.

The mountain side behind was getting dark as the sun was going down in the west but the sun was very bright as last evening sun was giving the trees one last kiss goodnight.

The trail calls to you as you walk through the woods in this straight a way.

Down the hill, the forest is full of life with squirrel, chipmunks, deer, bird, etc. They seem to be mystified that anyone was walking down this trail as it is use so little.

It just seems so magical as you walk along.

A few large rocks appear as you get closer to the end of the trail.

The trail darkness a little as it is sad that you will be leaving shortly….

But the light trail greets you.

Beautiful large rocks.

The tree on the right is just wonderfully spooky.

The trail darkness once more…

But at the end of the trail, the sunlight comes through.

A green rock on the right.

The trail does not have the sunlight kissing it much but just to the side.

The trail is just a lot of short turns.

The trail just is so comforting as the light comes down in little kisses.

A bit of straight trail.

I love the vines coming down.

But just a bit of a turning trail.

I love how the trails have the shade and the light as you walk along.

The last turn and it is time…

…to leave the enchanted wonderland…

And back to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail at the Mile 52 marker.

Brief History

The GAP trail started in 1978 as a local nonprofits started buying segment of the unused railroad for recreational use. By 1995, the route for the GAP trail was mostly complete. But the official opening was in 2007.

Through the years, local nonprofits had to pick and choose which projects to spearhead as they come up but Pinkerton Tunnel was low on the list. The Pinkerton Tunnel was make in 1911 but in 1970s, the railroad stopped using this section and the tunnel was abandon and boarded up.

The Somerset Country Rails to Trails Association created the bypass around the tunnel due to lack of funding to repair the tunnel when this section first opened. But by 2015, funding came available and Pinkerton Tunnel was given a new life and opened to GAP trail users.

Note: This tunnel also explains why some places have the GAP trail at 150 miles and some have it at 149. As trail riders and hikers now can use the tunnel or the bypass or both. I did both and I love the bypass. It is uniquely beautiful, peaceful, and there is just something about being a person that picks going a different path.

Mile 52-Pinkerton High Bridge, Casselman River, Rock Walls, and Are those Cravings in the rock?

The Pinkerton High Bridge is a bit longer and higher then Pinkerton Low Bridge.

Upstream Casselman River.

Down stream Casselman River and you can see the bottom.

The Pinkerton High Bridge just seem to go on for a long time. Especially if you are afraid of heights.

But eventually, you arrive at the other side and can breath.

Shortly after, the trees come into view…

And rocky walls with tress finding their place. A leftover seed that was hidden by a chipmunk or squirrel.

The rocking walls start to go a bit higher.

But this set of rocks is what got me a bit freaked out…

I see two different people or/and faces.

This looks like a face as you look from the right but not a perfect face. Or a looking to the left, a man at a desk or reading the paper.

In this one, it looks like the face of a lady with a bow in her hair but more of a dog face. Almost a cartoon like. But I might just be seeing things.

But the trail moves on and the rock walls disappear.

As you can see, this gate has not been used for a bit. That tree in the middle is at least a few years only and in the center…lol

Moving on to a bit of a curvy road.

But these wonderful sights of rocky walls with trees.

A bit of a straight a way.

The valley below.

On the straight a way, this was a great place to take a bit of a rest.

But this is a long straight a way.

But notice the trail getting dark as the dark clouds come in quickly.

Around the corner, the mile marker but this is also where the rain started with trees cracking over head. It became very bad weather very fast and my phono was put away to save it…lol

The Mile 53 marker, the picture earlier in the day.

Mile 53-Telegraph Pole, Casselman, and a Creek

Due to the storm which I was soaking wet when I got back to my van, I have to do 53 backwards starting at 54 and going to 53.

When I got into my van, I had to take off all my clothing and put on a sweater that I had in the van and a scarf as a belt. I could only hope not to get pulled over. Of course, it was so hot out that I really did not want be in a weather sweater.

Did I mention that it was my birthday? I loved the trail except the last 1.5 miles and that was just not fun…lol

Thunder, lighting, and pouring rain. So, this mile will be 54 to 53 going towards Cumberland.

Starting with the Mile 54 marker.

A wonderful little turn to start.

A bit of sun to warm up.

Then a bit of shade for a bit.

Totally beautiful!!!!

On the side of the trail is a telegraph pole left behind.

A nice bit of shade…

Plus you can hear the Casselman River as you walk along.

I love how the sun is kissing the tops of the trees.

A few rock walls.

A bit of a turn to the left.

The trees make the river hard to see but the sound is wonderful.

As you come around the a fence comes into sight.

After the fence is the Mile 53 marker.

A bit of a creek running down the hill.

Mile 53 marker but back to the Mile 54 marker to the parking area.

A Bit of Mile 54-Casselman River and Fort Hill Parking Area

Just for fun, we should walk backward and not know what is ahead.

Mile 54 marker.

I nice little bit of shade.

A small waterfall that is a bit dried up from the summer heat.

The Casselman River comes into view.

A bit of a straight away with a turn to left.

Another fence with the Casselman River in the background.

The Casselman River. There is a another trail that goes along the river bank.

The start of the trail from the parking area.

A bit of straight a way.

The start of the trail at Fort Hill to Markleton. Even with the rain, this is the best part of the trail that I have been on. I will go back some day. Most likely in the fall or spring to see the wonderful waterfalls that will be running after the summer heat has gone away.