Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail

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Kiski-Conemaugh water trail users will pass by several bridge piers, rail road and old automobile bridges. Photo by Allegheny Ridge Corporation

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Paddlers on the Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Water Trail will experience six miles of concrete flood control walls starting at river mile 82, passing the Johnstown Inclined Plane and the Conemaugh River Bridge along the way. The Johnstown Inclined Plane, established in 1891 is the world's steepest vehicular incline. The stone arch Conemaugh River Bridge, during the 1889 Johnstown Flood, blocked debris which then caught fire and burned for days.

For seven miles the 1560 feet deep Conemaugh Gorge the third deepest river gorge in PA - cuts through Laurel Ridge. Efforts are underway to extend trails through the Gorge. A scenic overlook on Rt. 56 is a great place to view this marvel, and a 4.9-mile hiking trail in the Charles L. Lewis Natural Area on the river right also provides fantastic views. The natural area, part of Gallitzin State Forest, was named for a newspaperman and the first president of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Laurel Ridge State Park abuts State Game Lands 42 and includes the northern terminus of the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail near Seward. The 1308 feet deep Packsaddle Gap is formed where the river cuts through Chestnut Ridge and features extraordinary PA Canal remnants" Lock #5 and 2 miles of revetment wall. Much of Packsaddle is in State Game Lands 153, which makes for a peaceful paddle only occasionally rocked by a passing train.

Native heritage is reflected in several place names along the water trail:

Conemaugh, derived from conunmoch, meaning "otter"; Kiskiminitas" from geischgumanito, has been interpreted as "make daylight" from gischgu ("day") and ma-nit-toon ("to make) or, from kee-ak-kshee-man-nit-toos, "cut spirit," from gischkschummen ("cut with a knife"), and manito ("spirit").

The Monongahela were pre-historic people known to the area, particularly around Blairsville. Later, the Senecas, Delaware, and Shawnee were prominent. An extensive network of trails, paths, and villages paralleled and crossed the rivers. The Kuskusky Path, or Loyalhanna Trail, crossed what is now Westmoreland County and then traveled north to join the Kiskiminetas Trail near Apollo. Then it was on to the Kittanning Trail, the major thoroughfare.

The Main Line Canal figured prominently in community development along this corridor. Although visible remnants are rare, river and trail users can find remnants on river right:

• Mile 26 - Blacklegs Creek Aqueduct, West Penn Trail
• Mile 19 - Revetment wall & Flat Run towpath bridge, Roaring Run Trail
• Mile 16 - Guard Lock #2, Roaring Run Trail

Reviews

Chuck Laux

Jul 4, 2018

Conemaugh dam to Saltsburg

7.5 mile journey down through beautiful tree line river banks. Two to three rapid areas that would be a little intimidating for a beginner, but the river was higher from rain, so maybe not always so fast. Not a lot of places to stop and eat a sandwich or swim, but we managed. River was fast and we did this stretch in three hours with a stop in there to stretch our legs and take a dip!

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Allowed Uses:

Other Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Heritage and history
• Wildlife viewing / observation

• Certified as an NRT
  May 29, 2013