Greene River Trail
Along the Monongahela River from Ten Mile Creek to Muddy Creek in Washington County
The Greene River Trail is built on an old railroad grade and runs from the Greene Cove Marina on Ten Mile Creek to Jessop boathouse near Muddy Creek,which is 4 miles northeast of Carmichaels, PA. The crushed limestone surface is 6.6 miles long, making it ideal for walking, jogging and biking. The trail begins near the Greene Cove Yacht marina at Milepost zero, but there is no access here. There are milepost every quarter mile.
Greene County Trail
Location Rices Landings
Trailheads Rices Landing, Jessops Boathouse
Length, Surface 6.6 miles limestone
Character uncrowded, wooded, shady, mostly flat
Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles
Amenities Rest rooms, water, camping, fishing
Driving time from Pittsburgh 1 hours 13 minutes south
The MP0 to MP2.4 climbs gradually closely following the Monongahela River, with the river on the left and hillside or rock cliff face on the right. Wildflowers are abundant in spring, and there are good views up and down the river. As the trail approaches Rices Landing (MP2.4), a welded sculpture stands in a small clearing. The proverbial sewer plant is at MP2.5.
The town of Rices Landing is the principal settlement along the trail, running from MP2.6 to MP 3.4. The trail parking lot at MP2.7 marks entry into town, and another road crossing at MP3.2 give easy access to the W. A. Young and Sons Machine Shop and Foundry. This historic site managed by The Rivers of Steel is sometimes open for tours. See description below under Local History.
The 2.9 miles south of Rices Landings are more rustic, a bit narrower, and a bit away from the river and alongside River Rd, Crucible Rd, and Old Ferry Rd. Around MP3.7 the former Crucible Steel Plant makes it presence known by a six-foot-high chain link fence on either side of the trail. The one on the right has been there a long time as evidenced by the trees that have grown around and through the links and rails. The plant is no longer owned by Crucible Steel but has gas line pipe stored in its yard.
After the plant (MP4.2) the trail passes beside a small residential community of the town of Crucible, still with the chain link fencing to MP 4.5. The trail crosses the road at <<MP5.2 at the intersection of Old Farm Rd and River Hill Rd.>> and continues through isolated woods to Jessops Trailhead (MP 6.6)
Local history, attractions
W. A. Young and Sons Foundry and Machine Shop is a prime example of America’s industrial heritage, now owned and operated by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The shop built in 1900, catered to the steamboat traffic on the Monongahela. Young was a master craftsman who created the wooden patterns that were used to cast the forgings needed by the steam boats. Many of these patterns are hanging o the walls and in heaps on the floor. Without electricity, the shop was powered by a steam engine driving a belt and pulley system. Each piece of equipment had its own belt that pulled power from the overhead shaft pulleys. Closed in 1965, the owners locked the doors and walked away, leaving tools, equipment, patterns, and office behind. Local volunteers are preserving the place and in 3017 it became a National Historic Land Mark and has (in 2020) summer tours on Sundays from noon to 4PM, reservations required. https://riversofsteel.com/attractions/w-a-young-sons-foundry-and-machine-shop/
Development plans
Greene County is exploring grants and options to extend the trail.
Access points
Vicinity: Directions begin heading south on PA43, the Mon Fayette Expressway at exit 28 for W Brownsville/Fredericktown. To get there from Pittsburgh, cross the Liberty Bridge and after exiting the tunnel, turn right onto PA51 south. Go 10.4 miles to the PA43 south ramp.
Greene Cove Yacht Club trailhead: MP-0.2 Closed. Up until 2020 there was access here, but it has been closed off due to requirements of the Marina.
Rices Landing trailhead: MP2.4 At the bottom of the exit ramp turn right/southwest on PA88. Go 8.8 miles turn left/east on Millsboro Rd by the Jefferson Township Municipal Building sign, . Go 0.9 miles and at the bottom of a short hill turn left/northwest under the trail onto Rices Landing Rd. Go 150 feet and turn left/northwest onto Main St. Go 500 feet and bear left/uphill into the trailhead parking.
Jessops Boat Storage Trailhead MP6.8 At the bottom of the exit ramp turn right/southwest on PA88. Go 10.1 miles and turn left/east onto Pumpkin Run Rd. Note the road to the right is named Short Cut Rd. Note Pumpkin Run Rd renames itself to Air Shaft Rd. Go 2.5 miles to a Y intersection. Parking is on the left/north.
Amenities
Rest rooms, water: In the park at Rices Landing near the foundry at the corner of Main St and Water St. Chemical toilets at the trailheads in season
Bike shop, rentals: none
Restaurant, groceries: Greene Cove Yacht Club Restaurant, and along PA88
Camping, simple lodging: Greene Cove Yacht Club Campground
Swimming, fishing: In the Monongahela River and several tributaries
Winter sports: None
Wheelchair access: Some gates are narrow. The distance between bollards at each gate varies, so it is required to pick the right opening. We did find a few crossings with a maximum opening of 31 inches with 4 feet high bollards.
Trail organization
Director, Department of Recreation
Greene County Fairgrounds
107 Fairgrounds Road
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 15370
Phone: 724-852-5323
Https://www.co.greene.pa.us/secured/gc2/depts/rec/trails.htm#greene
Maps, guides, other references
USGS Topographic Maps: Mather, Carmichaels
Version
Text version of 26 Jul 2022 based on personal observation while bicycling Greene Cove Yacht Club to Jessops trailhead 7/2022. Conditions may have changed; you are responsible for your own safety. Oldest segment check 7/2022.