Hike the Chartiers Trail

Admit it, you have looked at Chartiers Creek and wondered, "Could I canoe that?" Sure, why not. There are a lot of sections that cannot be seen from the road and who knows what is around the bend? CNC took our first trip in May 2000 with 23 voyagers (plus one dog), to find out.

Land and water trails form a vital link from the greenway's hillsides to the floodplain, wetlands and waterways, allowing residents to access the natural landscape. It is difficult for the public to indulge in and enjoy the watershed's countless recreational opportunities without convenient access. Currently, hiking trails exist on conserved parcels of land, but these parcels are not linked together in a system, nor is there a continuous hiking/biking trail along the main channel of Chartiers Creek.  

The lower Chartiers Creek valley presents the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania with a wonderful opportunity for an authentic outdoor experience.  Although much of the land in the watershed has been impacted by years of industrial activity, wooded hillsides and expansive floodplain open areas abound.  It is the goal of this study, and the mission of its sponsors, to construct land and water trails to encourage access to these resources, and to ensure that significant natural areas are afforded protection.

Feasibility Study Summary | Hike the Chartiers Trail | Canoe Chartiers Creek 

ANNUAL SPRING CANOE SOJOURN

Admit it, you have looked at Chartiers Creek and wondered, "Could I canoe that?" Sure, why not. There are a lot of sections that cannot be seen from the road and who knows what is around the bend? CNC took our first trip in May 2000 with 23 voyagers (plus one dog), to find out.

These efforts are returning large dividends as water-based activities in the Chartiers Creek watershed have gained increasing popularity.  These include recreational and sport paddling, fishing, waterfowl observation and development of educational programs.  An interconnected water / land trail will enhance these experiences and provide the basis for the future development of the concepts that are recommended in this study.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE PRESENT?

Fortunately, there are significant opportunities for the development of a regional trail and greenway system in the Chartiers Valley.  At the confluence of the Ohio River and Chartiers Creek will be an important hub that connects the Chartiers Trail with the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.  The CIty of Pittsburgh is currently undertaking a master plan study for a riverfront park along the Ohio River in this area. A connection between these two corridors would provide a large urban population with a direct pedestrian / bicycle route to the city of Pittsburgh, and connect with 37 additional miles of waterfront trail..

Approximately 6 miles upstream on Chartiers Creek from the Ohio River confluence is a possible connection with the Panhandle Trail.  The Panhandle, when completed, will extend 29 miles from Walkers Mill in Collier Township to Weirton, West Virginia.  The Panhandle Trail is actively being developed and was recently awarded funding from the TEA 21 for construction of Phase III that encompasses 17.3 miles of trail through 9 municipalities.  Approximately 6.6 miles now have improved surface between Walker's Mill Road in Collier Township and Laurel Hill Road in McDonald Borough.

At a point commencing approximately 7 miles downstream on the Ohio River, and progressing south, is the well-used Montour Trail.  This rail-trail, when completed, will be a part of a complex of trails that stretch from Coraopolis, PA to Washington, D.C.  The trail covers 54 miles of abandoned railroad right-of-way from the Montour Railroad in Allegheny and Washington Counties.  Of the 54 miles of trail, approximately 23 miles are located within the lower Chartiers Creek watershed.  A connection can be made at the Montour Trail's northern terminus along the Ohio River, or at the southern terminus of the Chartiers Trail near the Greer Tunnel.  

The Chartiers Trail will potentially make numerous intermodal connections with major transportation facilities such as the Port Authority's Southern Busway and the proposed Maglev project.  An emerging water trail also adds to the uniqueness of the Chartiers Creek Trail and Greenway system.

The greatest potential for a contiguous trail system throughout the Chartiers Creek valley is the existing Pittsburgh and Ohio Central (P&OC) railroad corridor.  This rail line is operated as a short line freight system by the Ohio Central Railroad System.  Under this ownership, it is not likely that any portion of the P&OC will be used for the Chartiers Trail.  An interim plan has been specified, however, that will offer connections to existing trails and provide neighborhoods with recreational opportunities

Contained within this study are also recommendations for a greenway system that is formed around the spine of Chartiers Creek and the proposed trail.  Due to the steep valley slopes, much of the land adjacent to Chartiers Creek has remained relatively undistrubed.  Although not suitable for some active recreational uses, this land is valuaable in its provision of ecological and passive recerational funcition.  A portion of this land has been acquired by local conservation organizations, and these parcels will form the basis of future land acquistion and conservation activities.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The vision of the stakeholders to make this exciting trail and greenway network a reality is fueled by the presence of numerous regional linkages, many of which have drawn the local population into a routine of outdoor activity and recreation.  To turn the vision of the Chartiers Creek Trail and Greenway into reality, it is imperative that the stakeholders gain the support of local and state government officials and planning entities.  At a grassroots level, the population of the primary trail and greenway service area must be educated of the benefits of hosting a regional trail and greenway facility.  Public education, and the willingness of local government and conservation groups to work together towards a common goal, will draw attention to the unprecedented opportunity that is present in the Chartiers valley.

This study has been prepared as a tool for the project sponsors to build consensus, and to generate enthusiasm within the adjacent communities.  It should also be used as a tool to solicit and secure project funding.  To view the entire trails study, select the Trails Study link on the left hand menu.

Feasibility Study Summary | Hike the Chartiers Trail | Canoe Chartiers Creek 

SHORT SUMMER TRIPS

Here to There

Feasibility Study Summary | Hike the Chartiers Trail | Canoe Chartiers Creek 

FALL FESTIVAL FLOAT

Low permeability clay soil makes vegetation even more important, as the vegetation olds the water, both on the leaves and in the roots, allowing it to slowly sink into the soil.  Vegetation decreases runoff and sedimentation into the creek.  In turn, this means lower peak water volume and less debris to fill up the channel needing to be dredged. Increased sedimentation in the Chartiers channel is very evident in the wake of Ivan.

The solution to the flooding problem cannot be
accomplished solely  by what is done on the creek, whether clear-cutting and dredging which increases the peak water volume, or diverting into natural floodplains which decreases the peak water volume.  

What will make the most difference is retaining the water on-site, upstream, in the uplands in order to lessen the runoff and sedimentation into the creek and its tributaries in the first place.  

While natural vegetation is most effective in retaining water and holding soil in place, what is needed in the developed areas is some form of stormwater management to retain the water on-site - whether it be retention ponds, permeable asphalt, disconnecting drain pipes, or remedial landscaping to increase vegetation. 

The downstream communities need to hold the upstream communities responsible for uncontrolled development.

Low-lying bridges were inundated during hurricane Ivan and trapped the debris floating down the creek.  

The creek banks were also littered with downed trees and man-made debris, which will spur clean-up efforts this spring.

Feasibility Study Summary | Hike the Chartiers Trail | Canoe Chartiers Creek