Fall 2001
The current end of the Great Allegheny Passage from Washington DC to Pittsburgh PA is at McKeesport about 15 miles from the ultimate terminus at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. What follows is a trip report covering those last few miles. Note: This is not a recommended route. I personally have a extremely strong aversion to traffic. This route involves crossing active railroad tracks and trespassing on railroad property. Not something that I would recommend. The trail surface at times is unfinished two track beaten down by pickup trucks. Easily passable by hybrid tires, but not something to ride on with road slicks. There is a route that does not involve tracks or trespassing, but it has other hazards.
Eastbound: Pittsburgh to McKeesport |
to westbound directions |
These instructions begin starting at the fountain in Point State Park where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers joins to from the Ohio river. This is a park and to get to this point you will need to follow the last section of the westbound instructions.
0.0 | After anointing your wheel with fountain water head away from the river junction towards the park exit. Either walk your bike up the center grassland, or ride along either river promenade to just before the highway overpass and turn towards the center of the park. Note: it is illegal to ride anywhere in the park except along the river promenade edges. There are generally police around to tell you this. | |
0.1 | Pass under the highway and turn left on the sidewalk/bicycle path. You may get on your bike and start to ride when you see the bicycles painted on the sidewalk. Do not turn right after the underpass as this is not bicycle path and therefore it is illegal to ride on the right hand section. There are generally police around to tell you this. | |
0.1 | At the end of this path turn right to cross in front of the Hilton Hotel | |
0.2 | Go to the third signal and turn left onto the Blvd of the Allies. |
This is a four lane road with plenty of stop lights. Traffic during rush hour can be heavy but at other times it is fairly light. Going this direction there are no good alternatives. The one way streets are against you. You can always walk the 7 blocks along the sidewalk. Note: it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks in the central business district. | ||
0.4 | Turn right onto Grant street. Do not make the sharp right onto the parkway ramp going up. | |
0.4 | Go one block and turn left at First St and immediately right onto the sidewalk alongside the PNC Firstside building. This is a quick turn across two lanes of traffic. I often get off the bike and act like a pedestrian to cross Grant street. Go around the right side of the PNC building to join the Eliza Furnace trail (aka Jail Trail). Note the interesting fountains along the left side. We follow this trail for only a short distance before crossing over the river to another trail. | |
0.5 | After passing the PNC building stop in and say hi to Patty or Darcel at the bike rental station. Continue on past the parking garage and the Jail. Immediately after passing the jail turn left into the parking lot. | |
Cross the parking lot and take the ramp up to 2nd Avenue. | ||
0.6 | Go 100 yards and turn right across the Tenth Street Bridge. | |
This is another place where you might want to walk along the sidewalk rather than tough it out with the traffic. Remember it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks in the central business district. | ||
0.7 | After coming off the bridge take the first right, onto Bingham Street. | |
Go one block. Take the first right, onto 9th Street towards the river. | ||
0.7 | Go to the end of Ninth street, cross the tracks, and get on the South Shore trail. Follow this trail to 18th street, where it joins the road through River Front Park. Continue straight on this road to where the trail picks up again under the Birmingham Bridge. Continue down the trail. | |
As you approach the Glenwood bridge you will want to go essentially straight, along side the railroad tracks. | ||
After passing under the Glenwood Bridge take a right hand turn and pass under the highway bridge. Continue for a long bock. | ||
Take a right hand turn onto the short street (50 feet) that has the signal on it. | ||
Go to the signal. Here there be traffic and confusing lanes. You may want to walk the next quarter mile. You are trying cross the river. The bridge has very nice sidewalks, but getting there is a problem. What I do is to go straight at the signal and cross the main road. I then turn right up the down ramp on the far side (against traffic) I walk up the ramp to the sidewalk and then hop back on the bike. | ||
At the end of the bridge you will want to do a U-turn to the left down the street that go alongside the bridge. | ||
Follow this road until it ends under the bridge. | ||
Cross the railroad tracks. These are active tracks, and there is a railroad yard just down the way. Be careful not to get run over by a train or arrested for trespassing on railroad property. Friends have be hassled by the railroad detectives, but I have not had the pleasure. | ||
Continue down the road alongside the railroad tracks for about 200 yards, at which point you will discover the end of the Duck Hollow Trail. Hop on the trail for a couple of miles of smooth saling. | ||
When the trail ends at the bridge dock in Duck Hollow, continue out the end of the dock and cross the open grate bridge that crosses the tributary. | ||
At the end of the bridge there will be three ways to go. Choose the middle route that takes you up to the railroad tracks. | ||
Follow the road along side the railroad tracks for several miles. The dirt road will eventually turn into a paved road with old trolley tacks. Just keep going. | ||
As you approach the next bridge that crosses the river you will have to zig and zag on back roads to keep going. | ||
<< more instructions to follow >> |
Westbound: McKeesport to Pittsburgh |
to eastbound directions |
These instructions begin starting at the McKeesport Marina where the Great Allegheny Passage currently ends.
Back to trip report overview | Back to FreeWheeling Home | |||
9/97: Wash DC to Pittsburgh PA | Cue sheet for gaps in DC - Pit | Trip Report McKeesport - Pittsburgh | Construction Challenges | Who knows what's next? |
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