June 17, 2017 ▪ 7 a.m. Ghost Town Trail Challenge

Blairsville, PA to Ebensburg, PA The 2nd Annual Ghost Town Trail Challenge, hosted by the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority, will be on June 17, 2017, the Saturday before the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year.

The Challenge is a 32-mile long (50k), one-day, sunrise to sunset endurance hike (or run) on nearly the entire Ghost Town Trail from Blairsville, PA to Ebensburg, PA.

Unlike a footrace, the “challenge” is not to come in first or win, but to endure, to finish the hike in one day.Full Challenge (32 Miles – 50k) – It begins at 7:00 a.m. at Saylor Park in Blairsville and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.Half Challenge (16 Miles – 25k) – It begins at 7:00 a.m. near the Wehrum Trailhead and ends at the YPCC in Ebensburg.Friends/Family Challenge (7.5 Miles – 12k) – It begins at 7:00 a.m. at the Nanty Glo Trailhead and ends at the YPCC.All proceeds from the Ghost Town Trail Challenge will benefit the Friends of the Trails program, which exists to enhance and expand the Cambria County Trails. Paper Registration Form

Source: Trail Events – Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority

May 27, 2017 ▪ 8 a.m. Path of the Flood Historic Races South Fork, PA

A Flood of Runners is returning to Johnstown, PA for the 4th year of the Path of the Flood Historic Races!

Experience the Path of the Johnstown 1889 Flood in its entirety with the half marathon or in small droplets through the 5K or 12K races.

See the resiliency of the communities of South Fork, Mineral Point, the boroughs and the City of Johnstown.

Run through Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in the United States. Finish at the Old Stone Bridge, which still stands after stopping the majority of the flood’s energy.

Our hybrid road/rail trail course beckons you to be a part of history.

All proceeds from the 2017 Path of The Flood Historic Races will benefit the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority Friends of the Trails program, which exists to enhance the Cambria County trails.

Visit the official website of the Races for more details.

Source: Trail Events – Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority

Natural beauty, fascinating historical features, and length: The Ghost Town Trail is a 36-mile long ‘rails to trails’ trail that blends these qualities and throws in a bit of challenge for flavor.

The trail includes a 32-mile portion that stretches from Blairsville, PA to Ebensburg, PA, as well as a 4-mile spur called the Rexis Branch that stretches from the Eliza Furnace to Red Mill Rd. in Vintondale, PA.

Named for the long-gone coal-mining communities that once dotted its right-of-way, the GTT flows past two massive iron furnaces, old coal-loading tipples, boney (coal-refuse) piles and other traces of industrial history.

The Blacklick Creek valley in which it is situated is gorgeous, with mountain streams, stands of rhododendron, dozens of wildflower species and cool woodlands

As it climbs the western slope of the Allegheny Front, the Ghost Town Trail totals 46 miles in length. There is a: 32-mile main stem from Blacklick to Ebensburg.4-mile Rexis Branch from Vintondale to U.S. 422.8-mile C&I Branch from U.S. 422 to Expedit Road.2-mile C&I Branch from Vic Miller Road to Snake Road. With the exception of the C&I Branch, which is unimproved and still under development, the GTT has a crushed limestone surface. At Vintondale, the trail divides and follows two branches of Blacklick Creek

Source: The Ghost Town Trail – Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority