At first glance the Roaring Run Trail is a 5 mile bike path linking Apollo with Edmon, PA. Oh but it’s so much more than that. It’s part of the Roaring Run Watershed Association, which is currently involved in land reclamation along the Kiskiminetas River. The project includes biking trails, hiking trails, mountain biking trails and recreational areas. Eventually they hope to link several trails, thus making a ride from Apollo to Ebensburg possible. And if you combine the main Roaring Run Trail with side trips on the Rock Furnace and Mountain Bike Trails, you can get a good twenty miles in. We begin our ride on the Roaring Run Trail at its north/west end in Apollo. It’s located at the foot of Canal Street and here you’ll find ample parking. The first four miles of the trail are a crushed limestone surface. Here you’ll need either a mountain bike or a hybrid bike. The Roaring Run Trail is a rails-to-trails conversion, though I haven’t been able to find out which rail company owned the line, although I understand it was used for mining. But before the rail company built its line, this was a canal, part of the Pennsylvania Main Line works. Along the way we see remnants of locks and bridge abutments. Part of the trail is the towpath, where mules and horses pulling the canal boats would walk. About a mile and a half into our ride, we make a left turn onto the Rock Furnace Trail. This trail runs about a mile and a half to Brownstown Road. A short distance into our ride we crossed a suspension bridge and from this point the ride gets very hilly. The trail ends at this point, but we continue onto Brownstown Road. Brownstown Road turns right a couple of times before picking up another bike trail. Google Maps refers to the next segment as part of the Roaring Run Trail, although I’m not so sure of this. The Watershed Association’s map doesn’t appear to have a name for this segment. Whatever the name may be, the trail extends in about a good mile and a half before ending in a cul-de-sac. Now before I go any further I must caution you: this segment is the most rugged with some steep climbs. It also hugs the cliffside in a couple of places. I STRONGLY recommend a mountain bike and that you be in good physical condition if you are going to attempt this segment. I also recommend you bring a printed copy of the trail map here because there’s an optional loop you can take on this trail. Of course Rick and I take the loop which gives us some spectacular views. We work our way back down to the main trail and from here it’s mostly a smooth ride aong the Kiski. The last mile into Edmon, however, is not a rails-to-trails and it gets rather hilly again. The trail surface changes from crushed limestone to tar and chip. Well we lay over with a short break in Edmon before heading back. This time we wimp out and take the main trail back. So it is a 20 mile ride compared to the normal 50 that we normally do. But in that short 18 miles we go over a variety of terrains and we view some fine scenery. Just a few tips before you go: 1) Make sure your bike is in tip-top mechanical shape The terrain on this trail can be a little rough. 2) Make sure you are in good physical shape if you attempt the Rock Furnace Trail and its adjunct. 3) Bring snacks and plenty of water. There are no places along the trails to obtain these. Nor are there any places to obtain these at the south end of the trail in Edmon or nearby Salina. Apollo does have grocery stores. 4) Bring a tire repair kit, mini-pump, and a chain tool. 5) Wear your helmet, especially on the Rock Furnace Trail.
