Sheepskin Trail - Dunbar Trailhead - Dunbar, Pennsylvania
N 39° 58.483 W 079° 37.048
17S E 618057 N 4425866
The Sheepskin Trail is currently a 2.1 Mile Rail-Trail connecting the Great Allegheny Passage to the community of Dunbar, Pennsylvania. The Trailhead is located on Bridge Street in Dunbar Borough, Fayttte County, Pennsylvania.
Waymark Code: WM8P54
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2010
Views: 1
Sheepskin Trail - Dunbar Trailhead - Dunbar, Pennsylvania
This railroad was built in the 1890’s as the Fairmont, Morgantown, and Pittsburgh branch of the B&O
Railroad. It was constructed in response to the coal and coke boom and opened the southern end of
the Connellsville Coke Region. According to railroad buffs, the old railroaders called this rail The Sheepskin Line. Trains scattered
sheep for miles when it first opened. The disgruntled herders were heard to exclaim: “Darn
Sheepskinners!” and the name was secured in the region.
The Sheepskin Trail is a rail-trail project that cuts through the heart of central Fayette County,
Pennsylvania. Still in the early stages of development, it is a missing link to a nationally significant
trail system.
To the north, it will link with the Pittsburgh-to-Washington DC Rail-Trail Network, the Potomac
Heritage National Scenic Trail, and the American Discovery Trail. To the south, it will link with the
West Virginia Rail-Trail System, and the American Discovery Trail.
As a recreational greenway, the Sheepskin will link the Youghiogheny, Monongahela, and Cheat
River watersheds—making it a significant greenway.
Presently the trail ends here and was completed in 2008 and features a Comfort Station and 2.1 miles of trail that connects to the Great Allegheny Passage at Bowest, about two miles southeast of Connellsville (Mile 86.4).
Country: United States
State/Province/etc.: Pennsylvania
Trail Start (town): Dunbar, Pennsylvania
Trail Finish (town): Great Allegheny Passage (Bowest, Mile 86.4)
Trail Length: 2
Trail Surface: Gravel/Stone
Pack Animals Allowed: no
Fees: no
Rail-to-Trail Sign: SHEEPSKIN TRAIL
A Public Recreation Facility Provided by
FAYETTE COUNTY
Funding from the
Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund
administered by the
Bureau of Recreation and Conservation
Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
AND
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Transportation Enhancements Program
Internet Link(s): http://co.fayette.pa.us/fayette/cwp/view.asp?a=2240&q=515133
|
Visit Instructions: A Trail Review
Please tell about the trail conditions the day you were there, If you used the trail please share your experiences. Things to see and do, possible problems etc.
If possible please post a photo of you OR you and interesting things along a trail OR just interesting things along the trail.
Also if you know of any additional Internet links not already mentioned about this rail trail please include that in your log.
|