Somerset County has closed a segment of the Great Allegheny Passage between Rockwood (mile marker 43.8) and the parking lot at Markleton (mile marker 50.0) due to an active landslide triggered by recent heavy rain and high winds. The earth continues to move and rocks and trees are falling without warning. Do not bypass the barricades. Conditions are unstable. There is no detour. We do not recommend traveling on local roads which are narrow, steep, and winding.
Somerset County is engaging engineers, surveyors, excavation professionals and the National Weather Service on site and they all agree that it presents a dangerous/unpredictable situation. With these parties, and in cooperation with adjacent landowners, the county is receiving and reviewing proposals for excavation and/or remediation. The segment may look “clear” from time to time, but that is because county maintenance crews clean up mud, rocks and fallen trees to enable these professionals to access the area. Crews are also working to keep swales clear and unclog culverts so that stormwater doesn’t pool on the surface of the GAP and further erode it toward the river.
The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy arranged and underwrote a free shuttle for bicyclists and hikers between the Rockwood and Markleton trail access points from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24, Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House and 2 Wheel Escapes for providing those shuttles.
Since Friday, June 27, fee-based continuous daily shuttle service has been running between Rockwood and Markleton from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week. In Rockwood, look for the shuttle in the parking lot next to the welcome center. In Markleton, look for the the shuttle in the adjacent parking lot, which has shade and restrooms. The shuttle fee per person/bike combo is $20. This fee can be paid via cash (preferred) or credit card directly to the shuttle driver. The shuttles are first-come, first-served; please be patient as there may be waits of 30-45 minutes. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House, Bill’s Car and Transport Service, 2 Wheel Escapes, and Wheelzup Adventures, for teaming up to provide this unprecedented service. Together in conversation with the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy and Somerset County, this service has been extended through at least July 20.
As of this writing, a quick and inexpensive solution appears unlikely. We will update this page regularly.