Alignment Genesee, PA, to Ansonia, PA, for Triple Divide Trail and Genesee-Susquehanna Greenway (Potter County and Tioga County, PA)

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1 Alignment Genesee, PA, to Ansonia, PA, for Triple Divide Trail and Genesee-Susquehanna Greenway (Potter County and Tioga County, PA) June 22, 2015 (re-aligned, corrected, rechecked; ready for users, cleaner maps, & marketing) Based on NCPRPDC Greenways Plan (2010); related trail plans; meetings, tours of routes, discussions with DCNR staff, regional and county officials, and local residents ( , esp. 2015); and feedback on two previous drafts (6-2015). Thanks to all from Allen Kerkeslager at or at or voice mail at Goal: Multi-Use Trail link to connect rail-trails that make up major parts of the system in NY and PA. Defining users: Bicyclists (mntn. bikes, hybrids) and users consistent with difficulty of rail-trails in other parts of system but not constrained by its limits. Capitalize on area's unique features for more diverse experience. Major Problem 1: Alignment over the Triple Continental Divide Hill (adjacent to Denton Hill) consistent with other parts of the Triple Divide Trail System. Exploration reveals no ideal solution. Objectives include: (1) Minimal gradient: Make difficulty as consistent as possible with rail trails in the larger system. (2) Avoid high-traffic roads: Make safety as consistent as possible with off-road rail trails. (3) Reduce obstacles to implementation: Costs, construction, easements, and property rights. (4) Optimize systemic connectivity and destinations: Especially crucial in sparsely populated area with few stakeholders, facilities, capacity for maintenance, and destination sites. Major Problem 2: Prohibitive obstacles in negotiations, property rights, and related issues for original 2010 railroad alignment in sections Genesee-Ansonia. Original 2010 Conceptual Alignment vss Western Alignment: See map pages below for discussion. Rationale for rejecting more eastern alignments for Triple Divide Hill Problem (east of Rt. 449): E.g., Loucks Mills Road or routes via Sunderlinville: These lack broad systemic advantages of closer proximity to Coudersport, Lyman Run State Park, PA Lumber Museum, Triple Divide site, and other destinations. Rationale for rejecting some other nearby alignments for Triple Divide Hill Problem: (1) Commissioner Run Trail (DCNR Forestry, by PA Lumber Museum): Currently very rough logging road. Advantage is proximity to Lumber Museum and Denton Hill. Disadvantage is only connecting alignments at lower end are by busy Route 6 or a second trail up and down over Denton Hill. Another disadvantage is cost of drainage (frequent muddy sections) and other construction issues. Also slightly steep in places. (2) Ellis Hollow Road (DCNR Forestry, from Triple Divide Hill to Rt. 6 east of PA Lumber Museum): Currently partly township road and partly rougher DCNR logging road. Disadvantage is only connecting alignments at lower end are by busy Route 6 or a second trail up and down over Denton Hill. Also has steep section. May require easement or new construction at lower end near Rt. 6. (3) Thompson Hollow Road (DCNR Forestry, from Rt. 6 to Lyman Run State Park): Currently rough dirt road. Disadvantage is only connecting alignments at lower end are by busy Route 6 or a second trail up and down over Triple Divide Hill. Also has multiple steep sections and some up and down sections. (4) Some others nearby have been considered but have similar problems (as in the case of some very rough DCNR Forestry roads). Recommendations: (1) Entire 57 miles via 2015 alignment can be considered immediately open. New alignment avoids high-traffic Rt. 6 and disputed private lands. Approx. 35% is via state lands. Marketing, signage, way-stations, and road improvements should be considered (e.g., West Branch Road to Galeton and Elk Run Road from Watrous). (2) Most of rail bed assumed in 2010 NCPRPDC Plan in Potter County no longer is feasible. But short sections still merit consideration (north of triple divide hill and east of Galeton). Snowmobile clubs have some use agreements. Rail bed for 2.4 miles between Galeton and Elk Run Rd. in Watrous should be explored for use for main trail. These can now be prioritized in absence of concern with more daunting 41-mile rail-bed plan. 1

2 Triple Divide Trail System ( = Triple Divide Greenway)* Rochester to Williamsport via the Genesee River, Triple Divide, Pine Creek, and Susquehanna River Distance Lake Ontario in Rochester to Susquehanna River in Williamsport, approx. 230 mi. (247 mi. in new 2015 alignment) Trails in Rochester Letchworth State Park Genesee Valley Greenway Detour on roads 19 mi. (has 5 mi. of parallel trails) WAG Trail Detour on roads 41 mi. (2015 alignment: 57 mi.) Detour on roads 3 mi. Pine Creek Trail Detour on roads 13 mi. Trails in Williamsport Susquehanna Greenway MAP 2014, BASED ON 2010 ALIGNMENT (WITHOUT 2015 CHANGES IN FOLLOWING PAGES) Blue: Existing trails (completed or under development), including Genesee Riverway Trail (Rochester, NY), Genesee Valley Greenway (NY), Park Road in Letchworth State Park (NY), WAG Trail (trail on Wellsville-Addison-Galeton Railroad bed, from Wellsville, NY, to NY/PA state line, acquired by NYSDEC 11/2009), Pine Creek Trail (PA), Lycoming County Trail and Bikeway (PA). Red: Planned linking trails 2010 route (currently requires temporary detours onto roads): Out of ca. 116 miles on NY side, only missing ca. 19 miles between Belfast and Wellsville in Allegany County, NY. Out of ca. 110 miles in main corridor on PA side, only missing ca. 41 miles from NY/PA state line through Potter County and Tioga County, PA, to the Pine Creek Trail and ca. 13 miles from southern end of Pine Creek Trail at Susquehanna River in Jersey Shore to Susquehanna State Park in Williamsport. Revised with aid of state agencies, planning commissions, academic institutions, and other groups in NY and PA, by Allen Kerkeslager, Ph.D., Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, akerkesl@sju.edu, (610) *Part of planned Genesee-Susquehanna Greenway, Lake Ontario (NY) to Chesapeake Bay (MD). 2

3 Triple Divide Trail (Multi-Use), Area NY/PA State Line at Genesee, PA 2015 Alignment, NY/PA Line to Rooks Road on Road Detours along WAG Railbed, Same as Provisional 2010 Plan Red: Original Alignment (2010): Based on rail trails in Potter County Greenways Plan (NCPRPDC/Pashek 2010). Dashed red: old WAG Railroad bed. Solid red: detours on parallel roads. Prioritizes use of rail corridor over systemic goals and feasibility. Blue: Alternative Western Alignment (6-2015): Based on roads with easiest route over triple divide hill that achieves goals for destination points. Prioritizes destinations and broader systemic goals over use of rail corridor. From NY/PA Line at Genesee, PA, to Rooks Road on Triple Divide Hill (1) From intersection of WAG Trail and Hawks Road by gravel pit in NY, go east on Hawks Road (gravel/dirt road) to 248A and southwest into PA on 244 to Commercial Street, Genesee, PA. (Note: Plans to cross directly from NY to PA via WAG Trail or via town park in Genesee, PA, are being discussed). (2) Go south to West Bingham on what is often called Hickock-Ulysses Road (more specific signs on route southward indicate North Bingham Rd. [SR 1010] to Hickox Rd. [SR 1011] to West Bingham Rd. [SR 1010] to Hickock-Ulysses Rd. [SR 1011]; all paved). (3) After West Bingham, go southwest on Pushersiding Road (TR 470/SR 1009; gravel/dirt road), following Ludington Run upstream, and go to PA State Rt. 49 (paved). (4) Go southwest on Rt. 49 to Newfield Junction Road. (5) Take Newfield Junction Road south, cross PA State Rt. 449 to Rooks Road (gravel/dirt). (6) Continue on Rooks Road southwest past continental triple divide point. Advantages (1) Immediately usable, eliminates obstacles to implementing 2010 plan (2) Uses roads parallel to 2010 proposed use of WAG Railroad route for history (e.g., three well-preserved railroad water tanks on Pushingsider Rd.) and ease of shifting to any rail bed sections that still can be utilized (3) Minimal gradient possible for comparatively short route uphill from Genesee, PA, to triple divide peak (4) Avoids roads with highest traffic, using gravel/dirt roads for safety and to approximate off-road trail experience 3

4 Triple Divide Trail (Multi-Use), Triple Divide Hill Area Red: Original Alignment (2010): Based on rail trails in Potter County Greenways Plan (NCPRPDC/Pashek 2010); detours on roads in solid red, railroad bed on dashed red. Prioritizes use of rail corridor over systemic goals. Blue: Alternative Western Alignment (6-2015): Based on roads with easiest route over triple divide hill that achieves goals for destination points. Prioritizes destinations and broader systemic goals over use of rail corridor. Steep section, 1 mile (on Irish Farm Road; here overlaps snowmobile trail) Steep section, 3/4 mile (on Lyman Run Road) West Branch Road (parallel rail bed prob. not feasible) Advantages of Original Alignment (Red) (BUT updates 6-15 suggest Potter Cty. communities reject much of 2010 route) (1) Reduced costs of building on railroad grade in its many good sections (which are unfortunately fragmented) (2) Minimal gradient possible for getting over hill (genuine advantage only if all key hill sections are available) (3) Most of corridor claimed by just one owner (but has encroachments, sold pieces, and deed disputes that may be prohibitive) (4) Ultimately off-road in places where railroad bed is available (but much of it is no longer) Advantages of New Western Alignment (Blue) (1) Circumvents encroachments, property disputes, and pieces that have been sold in railroad corridor (2) Direct passage over Triple Divide Peak, which could be site for viewing tower with educational features (3) Direct passage through all three watersheds, in contrast to omission of Allegheny River from original plan (4) Direct passage through Lyman Run State Park (5) Passage next to DCNR Susquehannock Forest District Office and its informational resources (6) Closer to Denton Hill State Park and PA Lumber Museum than original alignment (7) Provides backbone trail for Denton Hill mountain-biking connector trails (8) Close to Potter County Snowmobile Club headquarters and its snowmobile connector trails (9) Greater proximity to Coudersport attracts more local stakeholders needed for proactive grassroots support (10) Greater proximity to Coudersport eases trail user access to hotels, restaurants, and other facilities there (11) Optimizes use of recreational resources in this area for marketing by connectivity with trails west and south (12) Offers more diversity of experience than the rail-trails that dominate other sections of Triple Divide Trail (13) Justifies trail enhancement on West Branch Road between Lyman Run SP and Galeton for safety of local stakeholders who already walk, run, and cycle this road (revisit older study by NCPRPDC, DOT, DCNR). 4

5 Triple Divide Trail, Triple Divide Hill and Denton Hill Area (Blue ) (Connector Trails for Mntn. Bikes, Snowmobiles, Hikers, etc., Orange; see State Forest Maps ) Rooks Road (dirt/gravel) Potter County Snowmobile Club Building and Connecting Trails Irish Farm Road (dirt/gravel) Brookland Road (part = Sweden Hill Road) (paved) Billy Lewis Road (dirt/gravel) Lyman Run Road (gravel/crushed stone west of lake, paved by lake and eastward) 5 West Branch Road to Galeton

6 Triple Divide Trail, Galeton to Ansonia (Potter and Tioga Counties), June 22, 2015 Galeton Red: Original Alignment 2010: Based on rail trails in Potter County Greenways Plan (NCPRPDC/Pashek 2010); temporary (?) detours on roads in solid red, railroad bed on dashed red. Prioritizes use of rail corridor over systemic goals. Blue: Alternative Western Alignment (NEW, 2015): Based on roads with easiest route over triple divide hill that achieves goals for destination points. Prioritizes destinations and broader systemic goals over use of rail corridor. To Lyman Run State Park, Triple Divide Hill, and Genesee, PA, via West Branch Rd. and New 2015 Alignment Galeton to Watrous Immediately Actionable to Preempt Possible Loss: Approx. 2.4 miles of old rail-bed on south side of Pine Creek from just east of Galeton to Elk Run Road in Watrous is not encroached on and seems distant from active properties, so it may be free of property disputes. Should be studied for acquisition for trail use because this is one of few parts of 41-mile rail-bed alignment from 2010 plan still very useful in

7 Triple Divide Trail, Watrous to Ansonia, New June 22, 2015 Proposal: Use Alignment via Elk Run Rd., Thompson Hollow Rd., and Colton Point St. Pk. Scenic Overlook Maps on Following Pages Red: Original Alignment 2010: Based on rail trails in Potter County Greenways Plan (NCPRPDC/Pashek 2010); temporary (?) detours on roads in solid red, railroad bed on dashed red. Prioritizes use of rail corridor over systemic goals. Blue: Alternative Western Alignment (NEW, ): Based on roads with easiest route over triple divide hill that achieves goals for destination points. Prioritizes destinations and broader systemic goals over use of rail corridor. Advantages of Original 2010 Alignment (Solid Red Line as Detour and Dashed Red Line as Conceptual; Old Railroad Bed on North Side of Pine Creek) (1) Builds on railroad bed that is still of high quality and already has some existing agreements for usage by snowmobile clubs. (2) Provides incentive to permanently secure rail bed for use as toehold for expanding forested riparian buffers on unprotected north side of Pine Creek for permanently protecting water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. (Loss of this incentive is greatest loss for new alignment, although rail beds may still be used as local trails in same way). (3) Provides easy gradient that avoids steep hills, such as Colton Road (but this advantage may be minimal compared to more interesting addition of just one major hill with beautiful overlook, especially given comparison with similar hill in Letchworth State Park on NY side; see below). Advantages of Options for New June 22, 2015 Alignment in this Section (Below) (1) Immediately makes trail system more marketable and usable. (2) Eliminates need for negotiations with private landowners along old railroad bed. (3) Establishes precedent for loop on south side of Pine Creek that makes it easier to justify long-term improvements in Bee Tree Ski Trail needed to bring it up to high-quality bicycle surface. (4) Brings cyclists and other trail users directly to Colton Point State Park Scenic Overlook. This is: (a) A way to capitalize on the reduced automobile traffic typically resulting from Colton Point State Park's rustic design, which complements the role of Colton Point SP in the Mid-State Trail while still offering an experience complementary to the Leonard Harrison SP vista but with less traffic. (b) An accessible high point that in this case benefits by the diversity offered by deep forest habitat nearby and by dramatic contrast with the valley alignment of the Pine Creek Trail. (c) An excellent complement to the high points overlooking the falls gorge in Letchworth State Park on the NY side of the Triple Divide Trail System. Steep ascent required to reach Colton Point overlook is also more easily justified by complementary challenging hills in Letchworth. (d) A guide to a unique attraction that will assure that out-of-area users will not mistakenly miss the spectacular views from the rim of the Pine Creek Gorge because of unfamiliarity with area, which surprisingly has happened. (e) A carefully orchestrated aesthetic experience. For those coming from north and west, the route plays on the gradual shift from the activity in Galeton to quiet DCNR forests to the sudden opening of the majestic vista over Pine Creek in Colton Point. For those coming from south along Pine Creek Trail, the route plays on the rapid rise from the gurgling sounds in the depths of Pine Creek Trail to the inebriating soar of the vista at Colton Point overlooking the same resource viewed from a much higher altitude. (f) A worthwhile challenge. The Pine Creek Gorge scenic overlook is one unique case in which the dramatic challenge of a steep uphill gradient is not a reason to avoid the route. Most who are led by the route to take on this challenge will say it is worth it and few will want to have been deprived of the experience (as the original 2010 alignment did). (5) Greater connectivity with other adjacent DCNR Resources. 7

8 Watrous to Ansonia, New Alignment (June 22, 2015): Alignment via Elk Run Rd., Thompson Hollow Rd., and Colton Point State Park Scenic Overlook Advantages (1) Immediately available for use. Obviates negotiations with private landowners and other tedious delays. (2) Immediately eliminates use of high-traffic Route 6. (3) Easier cycling than route to Colton Point SP Overlook via Rexford-Painter Run-Dead Man Hollow Rd. (4) All benefits of alignment via Colton Point State Park Overlook (above pages). Detail from Above: Watrous to Ansonia Via Elk Run Rd., Thompson Hollow Rd., Painter-Leetonia Rd., Colton Rd., and Colton Point SP Overlook Sample Experience Cycling from Galeton to Ansonia: Eat lunch and restock supplies in the bustle of Galeton. Bicycle eastward out of town and turn south onto rural Elk Run Rd. Turn east onto Thompson Hollow Rd. for more challenging uphill cycling. Quiet dark shadow of forest magnifies sound of one's own strained breathing, then gives way like an unshrouded secret to the majesty of the Pine Creek Gorge vista. The breathtaking view down into the gorge beckons to the experience yet to come on the Pine Creek Trail. Sample Experience Cycling from Ansonia to Galeton: After cycling north from the sun sparkling on the water along the Pine Creek Trail, exit to the wide open spaces of Ansonia and cross Rt. 6. Bicycle uphill south along Colton Road for one last look far down into the Pine Creek Gorge below to rehearse warm memories of the trail so recently traversed below. Then descend through quiet forests along Thompson Hollow Rd. contemplating the sky-eye view of other tiny humans down below before satiating hunger in Galeton. 8

9 It Can Be Done: Cyclists Below Colton Point State Park Ready to Ascend Colton Road to the Vista. These cyclists from the Wellsboro area have been cycling together for 23 years. A couple who paused to discuss cycling routes confirmed that the best way to cycle from Galeton to Colton Point State Park Overlook if one wants to avoid US Route 6 is via Thompson Hollow Road as in the new alignment presented in previous pages above. Thanks, guys. Happy riding. New 2015 Alignment Adjustments Dramatically Increase Overlap with Snowmobile Interests PA DCNR Snowmobile Map 2014 Proposed 2015 Triple Divide Trail alignment is next to two snowmobile club buildings and near third. Overlaps snowmobile trail interests (e.g., Irish Farm Road near Coudersport; need for bridge from Lick Run Rd. to Sylven Glen Rd. in Manhattan [link to Shin Hollow Rd.]; possible use of railbed near Rexford) New Connectivity for Snowmobilers: WAG Trail, Section of Triple Divide Trail from NY/PA state line at Genesee, PA, to Wellsville, NY, via Genesee River As of June 2015, it increasingly looks like the WAG Trail may be open for snowmobiles sooner than expected. New signs (at left) using a new logo with the colors of the old WAG Railroad (Wellsville- Addison-Galeton Railroad) have been ordered and should appear on the trail soon. Work on the WAG Trail by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation continues at a pace more quickly than expected just a few months ago and has been supplemented even more by fresh local interest. Most notable is a recent generous gift from an area hospital's community wellness funds to expedite access to the trail's health benefits by covering the costs of lumber for re-decking an old WAG railroad bridge. 9

10 Appendix: Loop Trail as Long-Term Way to Salvage Remnants of 2010 Proposal Watrous to Ansonia Loop Trail (Long-Term Supplement, NOT Main Alignment): Via Gaines, Rexford, Painter Run Road, Deadman Hollow Road, and Colton Point SP Scenic Overlook. Solid yellow line ( ): From Gaines, go south from Rexford on Painter Run Rd., then Deadman Hollow Rd.-Colton Rd. to Colton Point State Park Overlook, then as in main alignment (northward on Colton Road to Ansonia). Dashed yellow line ( ): Bee Tree Ski Trail, for possible long-term alternative as improved for bicycles. This loop follows original 2010 principle of keeping close to Pine Creek where possible, but only reduces use of high-traffic Route 6 over long term. Loop Trail, Part A. Watrous to Rexford: Only Gradually Reduces Use of High-Traffic Route 6 (1) Immediately Actionable: Construct Pedestrian Bridge over Pine Creek in Manhattan to Reconnect Sylven Glen Rd. on north side of creek to Lick Run Rd. on south side of creek (foundations of old bridge still present). This allows Lick Run Road to be used as alignment between Manhattan and Rexford. This economically reduces by half section here on Rt. 6 (from 4 miles to 2 miles). Pedestrian bridge should accommodate bicycles and snowmobiles. Restores connectivity of local community for other benefits. Also reconnects snowmobiles to Shin Run Rd. north of Rt. 6. (2) Long-Term Alternative (as Original): Railroad Bed on North Side of Pine Creek: Parts state-owned, already some landowner agreements with snowmobile clubs that might be expanded for year-round use. (3) Long-Term Alternative?: Build trail on south side of Pine Creek between Manhattan and Watrous. Approx. 1 mile on south of creek is state land. Possible ped. bridge at Rt. 349 if private sections not feasible. Watrous to Manhattan (Detail of Watrous to Rexford Section Above) Manhattan to Rexford (Detail of Watrous to Rexford Section Above) 10

11 Loop Trail, Part B (Long-Term Supplement, NOT Main Alignment): Rexford to Ansonia via Painter Run Rd., Dead Man Hollow Rd., and Colton Point SP Overlook (1) Immediately Actionable Main Loop (Solid Yellow Line ): Add signage and other improvements on Deadman Hollow-Colton Road from Rexford to Colton State Park. Switchbacks can squeeze cyclists. (2) Long-Term Alignment for Additional Loop Trail on Bee Tree Ski Trail (Dashed Yellow Line ): Improve surface of Bee Tree Ski Trail (on south side of Pine Creek) from Rexford to Colton Road for bicycle use. Comparative Distances of Main Alignment and Loop Trails (Rough approximations; start point in Watrous is at Hanky Panky Rd./Elk Run Rd. intersection) (1) Main Alignment, 12.7 miles from Watrous to Colton Point SP Overlook via Elk Run Rd. and Thompson Hollow Rd.; total 17.3 miles Watrous to Ansonia bridge. Longer than loop trail because of gentler gradient in some parts. (2) Loop Trail, 11.8 mi. from Watrous to Colton Point SP Overlook via Gaines, Rexford, Painter Run Rd., Dead Man Hollow Rd.-Colton Rd.; total 16.4 miles Watrous to Ansonia bridge. Shorter than main but uses high-traffic Rt. 6. (3) Bee Tree Loop Trail, 14.7 mi. from Watrous to Colton Point SP Overlook via Gaines, Rexford, Bee Tree Ski Trail, and Colton Rd.; total 19.3 miles Watrous to Ansonia bridge. Excessive total is result of doubling back on the 3.3 miles between Colton Point SP Overlook and exit of Bee Tree Ski Trail on Colton Rd.; i.e., 11.4 (Watrous to Bee Tree exit on Colton Rd.) (Bee Tree exit to Ansonia bridge) = Direct route from Bee Tree exit to Ansonia bridge makes shortest total Watrous to Ansonia bridge ( = 12.7 mi.), but omits visit to Colton SP Overlook. 11