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4 triplogs
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Jul 24 2022
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Butler - Freeport Community TrailLaurel Highlands, PA
Butler - Freeport Community Trail
Laurel Highlands, PA
Hiking avatar Jul 24 2022
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking10.95 Miles 353 AEG
Hiking10.95 Miles   4 Hrs   23 Mns   2.54 mph
353 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Back in Pittsburgh on the weekends to visit friends and family. I found long ago that while I’m on vacation, most everyone is still working during the week. I had one segment left of this 16 mile trail that’s one the Rails to Trails projects that used to an old railroad line. I discovered recently that an old friend from grade school and junior high lives right next to this trail and hikes it almost every day. I got in touch with him to hike this last segment and we set it up for early on a Sunday morning.

When I left where I was staying, a hellacious thunderstorm had started. Fortunately the rainy weather in PA in the summer isn’t all that different from the monsoon in AZ. Within an hour it had gone and the trail, 20+ miles away, hadn’t got any rain at all.

Nothing of particular note happened, other than finishing this trail and talking with an old friend for over 4 hours that went by way too fast. Nice way to visit friends, get exercise, and explore new areas all at the same time.
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Jul 03 2020
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Butler - Freeport Community TrailLaurel Highlands, PA
Butler - Freeport Community Trail
Laurel Highlands, PA
Hiking avatar Jul 03 2020
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking10.71 Miles 673 AEG
Hiking10.71 Miles   3 Hrs   58 Mns   2.70 mph
673 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After we returned from Gettysburg, I finally got a chance to get out for a proper hike. I picked up where I left off last year along this Rails to Trails trail. It's mostly flat, and used mainly by bikers, but it's still a very nice trail. Saw yet another deer and finally was able to get a good photo of it. got an early start just after 6am and the weather was almost a bit chilly. by the time I was done, it started to heat up a bit, and the humidity kicked in as well. Saw several bikers, and a few runners and hikers. Pretty busy trail, it seems to be the equivalent of walking along the canals in Phoenix.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  White Tailed Deer
_____________________
 
Jul 11 2019
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Butler - Freeport Community TrailLaurel Highlands, PA
Butler - Freeport Community Trail
Laurel Highlands, PA
Hiking avatar Jul 11 2019
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking7.21 Miles 250 AEG
Hiking7.21 Miles   2 Hrs   47 Mns   2.59 mph
250 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
The very next day after hiking the southernmost section of this trail, I decided to go back and continue further north from the next trailhead along the way. It ended up being the heaviest rain during our trip to PA, with over 2 inches of rain that morning. Along with that was a lot of thunder, but thankfully no nearby lightning strikes. When I got to the trailhead, I waited for over a half hour for the rain to die down a bit before I headed out.

Water was gushing everywhere off the nearby hills and steep walls, draining under the trail thankfully, and into the nearby stream, which was flowing like crazy. While the rain took a bit of break when I started, it soon was on and off with varying intensity. I actually did see 2 other hikers (on their way back to their car) and one trail runner.

Just over 3.5 miles in, the rain was really starting to come down with no signs of letting up. I hiked to a clearance, which I thought might be a road, but was only a power line. I decided to head back before the lightning got worse. For most of the hike back, the rain stopped. I felt bad about that until a half hour after I finished, when another downpour began that lasted for well over an hour. The local highway near Pittsburgh got flooded by the rain and was closed most of the day. On my way back home the halogen street lights were on at 11am. Good choice to call it day, got a respectable hike in considering the conditions.

Saw another deer and got the best pic I was able to get on this trip, which still wasn't much.
_____________________
 
Jul 10 2019
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 670
 Photos 12,111
 Triplogs 857

56 male
 Joined Jul 05 2006
 Mesa, AZ
Butler - Freeport Community TrailLaurel Highlands, PA
Butler - Freeport Community Trail
Laurel Highlands, PA
Hiking avatar Jul 10 2019
DarthStiller • Triplogs 857
Hiking12.20 Miles 423 AEG
Hiking12.20 Miles   4 Hrs      3.05 mph
423 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After two hikes along the Rachel Carson Trail, I was in the mood for something a little easier. The Butler-Freeport Community Trail is a Rails to Trails project that runs from Butler to Freeport. It parallels two creeks for the majority of its length, or at least what I hiked. Since it runs along a defunct railroad line, the trail is mostly flat the entire length. The trail is used mainly by bikers, but it's wide enough to accommodate everyone. I didn't expect much from this, but I was pleasantly surprised and ended up enjoying it a lot more than I expected to. I had only planned to hike about 10 miles, but ended up hiking over 12.

There was some like morning fog when I started, but that burned off quickly as the sun got higher. Saw yet another deer on the trail, but was again unable to get a good shot. I got one blurry shot since the camera was in low light mode. By the time I got it switched to normal mode, two bikers were coming up behind me and having a conversation. That was enough to scare the deer off.

Saw a small wastewater treatment plant along the trail and noticed that they have a UV disinfection unit. I took a picture, but no one else is likely to find it as interesting as I did.

Route Scout glitched out big time on this hike, not locating me correctly for most of the way out. I think the way back was more accurate. There trail follows a narrow valley through most of the section I hiked, so that might have contributed. the route I posted is from my Garmin.

Ended about 10:30am, ran an errand and got lunch for everyone at a local pizza joint that makes a unique pie specific to this area.
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average hiking speed 2.61 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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