Cedar Creek Gorge

While I’m in Pennsylvania for the next two months, I thought I’d try as many walking trails as I could as I wind through the Keystone state. Trail number fourteen is The Cedar Creek Gorge.

The Cedar Creek Gorge Trail actually comes off of the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) and is in Cedar Creek Park northeast of Belle Vernon PA. Since it is connected to the GAP, that means there is probably a river involved, which there is (the Youghiogheny River).

The Youghiogheny River

The trail follows Cedar Creek where an old road ran to a saw/grist mill in the 1870’s. It runs along both banks for its 1.5 mile run. The west bank is maintained by the parks department and is in great shape. The east bank is not maintained and gains 150’ as it runs along a nearby ridge. While this may be fine in dry weather, if walked in wet weather (like today) it’s a deathtrap. Steep declines, a muddy trail & wet rotting leaves equals white knuckle fun.

Part of the trail skirts the western bank of Cedar Creek

There were three creek crossings that were all suspension bridges that were very well maintained. Numerous benches also were available on the first half of the trail. All in all a beautiful trail.