From Corry through Spartansburg to Hydetown in Erie and Crawford Counties
The East Branch Trail will eventually follow the former Chautauqua Line of the Pennsylvania RR, paralleling the East Branch of Oil Ck from the Corry Junction Trail for 17 miles to Hydetown. The trail currently (2024) is developed in two sections. A 3.1-mile section centered on Spartansburg is open, and a 4.7 section from the Crawford County Forest to Hydetown. This trail is part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail (page NE-16).
The 3.1-mile section centered on Spartansburg is a two-lane greenway. One side consists of an 8-foot wide lane of asphalt pavement for pedestrians, bicycles, and other human-powered wheeled vehicles. The adjacent 8-foot wide side has a gravel surface for horses and horse-drawn buggies that travel in and around Spartansburg; this parallel trail was developed for the Amish community, a first in Pennsylvania.
East Branch Trail near Spartansburg
Location 1.5 mile north and south of Spartansburg, Erie and Crawford Counties
Trailheads Spartansburg PA
Length, Surface 3.1 miles paved with gravel side trail for horses and buggies)
Character Uncrowded, wooded, mostly sunny, flat
Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles, horses and buggies use unpaved side
Amenities Rest rooms (seasonal), water, food
Driving time from Pittsburgh 2 hours 10 minutes north
The paved section starts at PA89 north of Spartansburg and runs beside Clear Lake for 1.5 miles to Spartansburg. The theme of this segment is water—not just the East Branch which is often on one side of the trail, but even more, Clear Lake and various ponds and wetlands that also lie beside the trail. In spring the chorus of spring peepers dominates the trail experience. The Spartansburg trailhead is beside the lake with fine views of the dam and mill. The trail then goes through woods for 1.6 miles to the trailhead on PA89 south of Spartansburg. At the trailhead, the bridge that once took the road over the railroad was replaced by earth fill, so there is a ramp up from the trail to the trailhead.
East Branch Trail in Crawford County Forest
Location Crawford County Forest to Hydetown, Crawford Counties
Trailheads Crawford County Forest, Hydetown
Length, Surface 5.0 miles limestone, 0.5 miles packed dirt,0.3 sidewalk, 0.1 bike lane
Character Uncrowded, wooded, sunny, flat
Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles
Amenities Rest rooms (seasonal), water, food
Driving time from Pittsburgh 2 hours
This section of trail runs along an embankment about 5 to 15 feet above the surrounding land. With in the County Forest the trail is shady and in a forest with a low hill on one side and flat land on the other. After 0.75 mile the surrounding terrain flattens out to Ohio swamp land. There is a small forested/shrub buffer along the embankment.
The limestone trail starts at the Crawford County Forest Trailhead. It runs for about 0.25 mile to where it crosses Greytown Rd. The surface then turns to packed dirt for about 0.4 miles, see development plans. The limestone trail continues for 4.7 miles to Main St on the outskirts of Hydetown. Crossing Main St, the trail continues on a shared sidewalk for 0.3 miles to the Oil Creek crossing at which point it transition to an unprotected parking/bike line to the Hasbrouck Park Trailhead.
Development Plans
The Clear Lake Sewer Authority owns or has arrangements for 27.4 miles of the former railroad corridor from Corry to Hydetown. It is seeking funding for design, engineering and construction to extend the trail north to the Corry Junction Trail and south to Hydetown, where it will connect with the planned extension of the Queen City Trail.
The undeveloped section of trail between Greytown Rd and Rosenburg Rd will shortly beocome limeston. It is subjet to a grant which requires spending by Dec 31, 2024
There is a old railroad bridge in Corry to Crawford Forest section which will be refurbished in 2025. When this is completed an additional mile of trail to connect the bridge to a trailhead will be constructed.
Extensions of the ride
The next segment to the north along the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail is the Corry Junction Greenway Trail (page NE-47) near Corry, about 9 to 10 miles away. The route is established, it looks like the Amish buggies are using it, but is a gravel road.
The next segment to the south along the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail is the Queen City Trail (page NE-57), about 10 or 11 miles away. The route is not yet determined.
Ducks across Clear Lake from the mill
Access Points
SR89 North Trailhead: MP-1.4 (41.8419,-79.701), plus code 87H2R7RX+QH
Spartansburg Trailhead: MPzero (41.8244,-79.6862), plus code 87H2R8F7+PG
SR89 South Trailhead: MP1.6 (41.8027,-79.6968), plus code 87H2R833+37
Crawford County Forest Trailhead: MP11. (41.688,-79.7656), plus code 87H2M6QM+5P
Hasbrouck Park Trailhead: MP14.6 (41.6497,-79.7229), plus code 87H2J7XG+V
Amenities
Rest rooms, water: Seasonal chemical toilet at the Spartansburg and Crawford Forest Trailheads.
Bike shop, rentals: None.
Restaurant, groceries: Grocery and restaurants in Spartansburg.
Camping, simple lodging: None.
Swimming, fishing: Clear Lake in Spartansburg alongside the trail offers fishing.
Winter sports: Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Wheelchair access: Trail surface is asphalt and gates are wide. 200 ft ADA ramp at the SR89 Trailhead.
Trail organization
East Branch Trail
Clear Lake Authority
PO Box 222
Spartansburg, PA 16434
814-654-7451
spartansburg.org/east-branch-rails-to-trails/
Maps, guides, other references
USGS Topographic Maps: Spartansburg.
Version
Text version of 30 Jul 2024 based personal observation while bicycling Route 89 north trailhead MP-1.4 to Route 89 south trailhead MP1.6 7/2024 Crawford County Forest MP11.3 to Hydetown MP14.6 7/2024. Conditions may have changed; you are responsible for your own safety. Oldest segment check 7/2024.