The White Way #15358

The Story

A long stretch of unbroken pristine snow along the Lower Trail in the Pennsylvania winter is just right for cross-country skiing on a sunny and cold day. Numerous bare trees arch over the trail through the woods, and a sunny blue sky is above. This stretch of the Lower Trail at the Flowing Spring trailhead is arrow-straight for a mile and continues another fifteen miles further to the opposite trailhead at Alfarata. It has been mentioned as one of the more scenic trails to enjoy in Pennsylvania.

The sixteen-mile length of the Lower Trail follows the Juniata River and is very scenic. It is a fairly remote trail and no roads cross it for an eleven-mile stretch. There are woods along nearly the entire length. Old history is there too, as it follows the path of the old Pennsylvania Mainline Canal, and a few canal remnants can be seen, such as old locks and the canal trench itself in places. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Railroad came after the canal, and the trail is laid on top of that old railbed.

Location: rural Blair County, Pennsylvania.