Mark's Bike Tock: 2021

I find it fun to get a chance to ride tunnels when ridding the trails. Some are lit or short but many require you to plan ahead with lights. If you plan on ridding any of these trails be aware that some of these tunnels close during the winter in order to reduce the number of damaging freeze thaw cycles. Here are some of the trails that include tunnels that I have ridden:

Path of the Flood Trail in PA has one tunnel, the Staple Bend Tunnel. It is 900 ft long and has the distinction of being the oldest rail tunnel in US
York Heritage Trail in PA has one short tunnel, the Howard Tunnel. At 275 ft it is second oldest rail tunnel in US
Elroy – Sparta Trail in WI is considered the first rail-trail in the US. It has three tunnels.
The Mickelson Trail in SD has four tunnels.
Route of the Hiawatha in ID and extending just over the line into MT has nine tunnels. The first on the ID – MT line is the most significant at 8771 ft. It is called the Taft Tunnel or the St Paul Pass.
Historic Railroad Trail was set up on a specially built rail line for the construction of the Hoover Dam in NV. It has five tunnels.
Great Allegany Passage, PA (and MD) includes four tunnels. The longest is Big Savage at 3295 ft. Next is the Borden Tunnel at 957 ft and the Brush Tunnel at 914 ft. The Brush Tunnel also carries the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The Pinkerton Tunnel is 849 ft.
The Montour Trail in PA has three tunnels.
Abandoned Turnpike is a unique ride in PA. Included are the Sideling Hill Tunnel at 6662 ft and the Rays Hill Tunnel at 3532 ft.
The Katy Trail in MO has one 243 ft tunnel, the Rocheport Tunnel.

Abandoned Turnpike, PA

Elroy - Sparta, WI

Great Allegany Passage, PA, MD

Great Allegany Passage, PA
reopened since picture

Historic Railroad Trail, NV

Mickelson Trail, SD

Montour Trail, PA

Path of the Flood Trail, PA

Route of the Hiawatha, ID, MT

York Heritage Trail, PA

Katy Trail, MO

First tunnel on Route of the Hiawatha

One more tunnel that deserves mention is the Turn Hole Tunnel in Glen Onoko, PA. It is an abandoned rail tunnel but you can't ride it. It is adjacent to the D&L Trail and is open to walk through and explore. Sorry, this closed in summer 2022.

adjacent D&L Trail, PA

Many communities embrace and adopt their local trail and add art work to enhance the trail user experience. Sometimes this is commissioned work to highlight some aspect of the community or its history. Other times it is more whimsical, perhaps some bit added by an adjacent landowner. Gnomes are common additions from adjacent property owners. Sculptures and murals are common. Some trails integrate art into the construction of the trail such as creative bridges such as the High Trestle bridge or monuments denoting the Mason Dixon Line on the Great Allegany Passage. Here is a small sampling of some of the art I have seen along various trails.

Sculptures