The railroad was built in 1918 by the US government to to transport Sitka spruce logs from coastal forests to Port Angeles to manufacture World War 1 airplanes. Ironically, the line was completed 19 days before the war ended. It then served commercial logging companies interests after the war until 1954 and eventually converted into a trail.
The railroad line was eventually abandoned in 1953 and this segment became known as the Spruce Railroad Trail. Today it is gradually being restored and upgraded for use as the Olympic Discovery Trail route.
The route of the Olympic Discovery Trail begins in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend and travels 130 miles around the northern portion of the Olympic Peninsula to the Quileute tribal community of La Push and the Pacific Ocean. The trail follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca with views to Canada, then moves into timberland crossing creeks and rivers (including a spectacular crossing of the Elwha River) on its way to the ocean.
Some of the trail is rough unimproved dirt, roots, rocks and gravel, and you may need to walk your bike several times.
http://www.bikingbis.com/2014/08/25/new-path-for-bicycling-on-olympic-discovery-trail/
http://wabikes.org/2014/12/08/olympic-discovery-trail-car-free-route-around-lake-crescent/
Their efforts began with a letter to the editor at the Chicago Tribune, and by 1986, the movement had grown into a nonprofit organization known as the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Now, some 30 years later, there are more than 2,000 rail trails scattered across the United States
The 1968 law allowed for the establishment of long-distance National Scenic Trails (spanning more than 100 miles) and National Recreation Trails, which can be found in all 50 states. An additional category—National Historic Trails—was added in 1978. These special places showcase the country’s diverse and beautiful scenery,
the Potomac Heritage Trail is steeped in American history, following routes once traveled by George Washington and passing by his Mount Vernon estate. Covering more than 800 miles, the trail connects the nation’s capital, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, providing views of the Chesapeake Bay, the Allegheny Highlands and lush river valleys. Portions of the route align with the C and O Canal Towpath, as well as one of the best-known rail-trails in the country, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage, which is included in the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.
there are even covered bridges on the trail
The Wabash Cannonball Trail is one of Ohio’s longest recreational rail-trails, covering a total of 63 miles of Northwest Ohio. It provides access to non-motorized hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers.
When Norfolk Southern Railroad announced the abandonment of service on this rail line in 1990, several local visionaries and enthusiasts gathered to share ideas about creating a public recreational trail and utility corridor. Their dream became reality on March 24, 1994, when the corridor was purchased from Norfolk Southern.
The Badger State Trail, which heads south from Madison to the Illinois state line boasts its own 1,200-foot Stewart Tunnel built on a curve, so riders cannot see the other end as they enter the tunnel.
The tunnel was completed in 1887 with hand tools, explosives, and a steam shovel. The long tunnel curves over its length so that when standing in the middle a person can experience pure darkness.
The trail passes through or by a number of small Wisconsin towns but is mostly rural and scenic. The majority of the trail is crushed stone except for the far northern section, near Fitchburg, which is paved. The Badger State Trail (BST) is a rails-to-trails project so the trail is very flat with only gradual inclines and declines.
The Badger State Trail is subject to the $25 state trail annual pass. Riders can purchase day passes at self registration kiosks or annual passes from the Wisconsin DNR. Trail passes are good for all state trails including mountain biking trails.
and while in Southern Wisconsin, the Capital State Trail, while not being a Rails to Trails, is better maintained, and getting fresh pavement, culverts, and shoulder repair http://www.unifiednewsgroup.com/fitchburg_star/news/capital-city-trail-closes/article_cc5de4b9-c22b-5dd4-884d-7e7dbdbb8dec.html
More than half of the planned 80-mile Great Shasta Rail Trail is now open. 43 miles are complete in two disconnected sections, it is expected to be completed within the next 10 years. The aim is a pathway offering views of Mt. Shasta and connects with McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and the Pacific Crest Trail. Logging camp remnants, old wagon roads and a historic water tank remain along the route.
The rail-trail meanders through Northern California’s small towns and the natural beauty of the Lassen and Shasta-Trinity National Forests in the shadow of Mount Shasta, which rises more than 14,000 feet. Note that the trail experience is remote, so bring plenty of water and snacks with you.
The red cinder pathway follows the former McCloud Railway route through Siskiyou and Shasta counties. Built at the turn of the 20th century, this corridor served a vital role for the logging and agriculture industries in the area. It became obsolete and unprofitable in the late 1900s
The 78-foot-high trestle above Lake Britton, which had its moment of glory in a heart-pounding scene from the 1986 movie “Stand by Me,” is expected to be a highlight of the trail but is off-limits until work can be done to make it safe for trail users.
https://www.traillink.com/trail/great-shasta-rail-trail/
https://northcountrytrail.org/volunteers/local-contacts/northwestern-ohio-rails-to-trails-association/
https://www.wabashcannonballtrail.org/
http://www.interestingpennsylvania.com/2016/06/oil-creek-and-titusville-railroad.html
https://www.redding.com/story/life/2017/06/06/great-shasta-rail-trail-long-journey-deep-history/372021001/
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2018/january/03/a-view-from-the-national-trails-system/
https://www.traillink.com/trail/badger-state-trail/
http://www.about-bicycles.com/BikeTrailPages/BadgerStateTrail.html#.W33i5c5KiUk
https://wisconsin-explorer.blogspot.com/2016/07/biking-badger-state-trail.html
https://www.afar.com/magazine/ride-run-or-walk-these-8-great-us-rail-trails
http://www.vacreepertrail.org/
ReplyDeleteThis is an old narrow gauge rail line in south west Virginia that was converted to a bicycle trail. The entire length is 34 miles if you ride the entire thing. Most folks (including yours truly) rode approx 16 miles from the old train station at the top to Damascus Va. In October as the leaves are beginning to turn it is an amazing ride with lots of locals running refreshment areas along the way.