HOODLEBUG TRAIL:
BLACK LICK-INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 23, 2013
Length: Hoodlebug Trail; 10.8 miles
Hoodlebug Trail Extension; 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat stone-dust rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from Black Lick; From the intersection of Routes 22 & 119 in Blairsville follow Route 119 north 2 miles to Black Lick. Turn right on Main St and veer left onto Old Indiana Rd. Turn left into Saylor Park.
The Hoodlebug Trail follows the abandoned Indiana Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad from Indiana south to Black Lick. Built in the 1850's, the Indiana Branch was the first railroad to be constructed in Indiana County. 'Hoodlebug' was the local nickname for the self-propelled passenger coach that ran on the line until 1940. The corridor also was part of the Catawba Path, a Native American trail that extended from the Carolinas to upstate New York. The Hoodlebug Trail Extension travels south from Black Lick but is more of a commuter trail as it parallels Route 119 most of the way. Nothing scenic. For more information visit; HOODLEBUG TRAIL .
Starting from Saylor Park in Black Lick; Rest rooms located here. From the parking lot head past the green gate along a paved trail that takes you left past the basketball courts to the intersection of the Ghost Town Trail, Hoodlebug Trail and Hoodlebug Trail Extension.
Note; The Ghost Town Trail heads east from here traveling underneath Old Indiana Rd.
Hoodlebug Trail Extension:
The Hoodlebug Trail Extension briefly travels west along a wide stone-dust trail before turning left after 0.2 miles and passing by Saylor Tot Lot (pavilion & playground). An on-road detour along low traffic roads begins here. Continue out Burrell St and turn right on Park Dr. Turn left up Blaire Rd, using caution crossing Main St. Continue following Blaire Rd utilizing "bike route" signs to Divinity Hollow Rd where you'll head right before rejoining Blaire Rd again to your left. Just before the end of Blaire Rd turn right down Clare St where you'll rejoin the paved trail at 1.9 miles. This was as far as I checked out. The trail travels through a tunnel underneath Route 119 where I believe it reverts to stone-dust? It follows Route 119 south (more of a commuter path) before reaching Cornell Rd at 2.7 miles. From here you can access Blairsville Middle & High Schools.
Hoodlebug Trail:
The Hoodlebug Trail travels back through Saylor Park via the parking lot and out to Indiana Ave when you head left on-road (brief) and over the bridge. Pick up the trail on your left. Spot the old RR bridge straight ahead where it crosses the road. A paved trail takes you up to the old rail bed where the stone-dust trail continues past a gate at 0.4 miles. Another paved trail takes you down a hill and underneath Route 119 at 0.8 miles. This was as far as I checked out. The trail travels underneath a RR bridge that crosses over Two Lick Creek. The trail parallels the creek briefly before heading inland where it parallels a road at 1.3 miles. This next section is all out in the open. At 2 miles the trail travels alongside Route 119 past the towns of Coral and Graceton. At 4.3 miles the trail pulls away from Route 119 and travels through open fields and residential. You come to W Elm St in Homer City at 5.8 miles where it appears you need to turn right for an on-road section. It appears there is a gap in the trail between here and Floodway Park on the other side of Yellow Creek. The trail continues north from Floodway Park up to Rose St in Indiana.
HH
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