Clinton County’s Rail-Trail Gets a Name: Bald Eagle Valley Trail
The caboose sleeps two, you can rent it on Air B&B.
One mile from downtown Lock Haven. This sits at the existing trailhead.
LOCK HAVEN – While progress continues on Clinton County’s 11.5 mile Rail-Trail system, the walking/biking trail now has a name. County Planning Director Katie deSilva announced on Monday the name for the trail. She said county government, tourism and local municipal officials were solicited and the final choice is Bald Eagle Valley Trail.
When completed, the trail will connect Lock Haven, Castanea, McElhattan, Avis and points in-between to the Lycoming County border and the Jersey Shore trailhead of the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
So far, the project’s phase one is done. That is a 2.2 mile link in Wayne Township in the middle of the trail. It is a former farm road closed to traffic and runs along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Phase two is under construction: a 3.4 mile link along the railroad bed from the Castanea Train Station trailhead leading to Wayne Township, running along Bald Eagle Creek. Construction of that link is nearing completion and is expected to be open to the pubic soon.
deSilva provided an update on the remaining links:
•Phase 3: 2.27 miles. 50% designed, easement issues being resolved. Two stream crossings on existingrail trestles. Runs through Wayne Township Community Park onto low-volume McKinney Road.McKinney Road will be widened five feet to accommodate bike/ped traffic.
•Phase 4: Conversion of rail bridge crossing Susquehanna. Concept engineering completed. Penndot2018 TAP grant sought, targeting completion by August 2021.
•Phase 5: in design. Includes one ramp coming off the river bridge, and widening of River Road fivefeet to the bridge into Lycoming County.
•Phase 6: Connection to Chestnut Grove Sports Complex in Castanea. Requires one ramp, balancedesigned.
The county planning office also provided these key features and highlights:
•Chestnut Grove Sports Complex (Castanea Township): athletic fields, pavilions, nature trails.
•Castanea Train Station Historic Site at Western trail head: caboose is a bed and breakfast. Restored roundhouse and station full of model train displays.
•Wayne Township Community Park: athletic fields, pavilions, community center.
•Susquehanna bridge crossing. 860-foot river bridge will be the highlight of the trail. Trail name will be painted on its side and visible from Route 220.
•Spectacular views of Bald Eagle Creek, Susquehanna West Branch, and pristine farmland.
•Existing intersection with the Mid-State Trail
•Tiadaghton Elm Historic Site and restored historic bridge entering Lycoming County.
•Pine Creek fishing access at Eastern trail head
•Seven acessible parking lots at miles 0, .30, 3.80, 4.33, 5.96, 7.92, and 11.5 (West to East)
•Three accessible restrooms at miles 0, 0.30, and 4.33
