Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnel
. . . Revisited
Maps & Directions
disclaimer:
the author accepts no responsibility
for anyone who uses the following maps or directions. This trip can be
dangerous. Any attempt to undertake this trip should be carefully planned
before starting. You will be in the Wilderness. There are Bears, Rattlesnakes,
Copperheads and some really scary things too!!!!
map copied from Delorme - Mac - ver 4.0
- - - Directions - - -
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Exit Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit #9
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Turn Left (East) on Pa. Route 31
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continue East on Rte 31 for approximately 10 miles
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there will be a "Blasting Zone" on the Left
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"Tunnel Road" (dirt/gravel)
is the next road on the Left
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If you want to take this route, turn left
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If you prefer the . . . "Easy
Way." . .
scroll down. . .
Tunnel Road Instructions
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this road is Township (twp) Road #366
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this twp road number will change
when you cross the County Line from Twp 366 to Twp 341, Twp 356 & Twp
365. Of course you will not know this because there are NO Road signs.
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continue (aprox. 10 min.) on this road, there will be
several roads/paths which go off this road. . . STAY
ON MAIN ROAD. . . . the only turn you will make is a "hairpin" which
you will NOT miss
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about 500 yards before the "hairpin" a Road goes of to
the Left.. . Western Portal(?). . You can not miss because there
is a sign which promises fines & jail if you enter.. . . . 'nuff said.
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continue up the hill. . through. . the hairpin. When you
near the top of the hill, the road splits. . to the right & continues
straight. You will want to turn RIGHT. . . After
you go straight to see the "Air Shaft" & the Old Forest Ranger Tower.
-
return to the "Split" and turn "Left" (Twp # 635), there
should be an old building on your right. . . . there was a dog of some
sort living there on July, 19, 1999.
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Continue on this road ( Twp 635). The road gently drops
down hill. When it starts to get a little steep, there is THE Trail Head
you want. To be sure, continue down the road, there should be a "Blue"
house on the Right. Remember the Blue house. . it will be referenced later.
Return to the Trail Head, park the car in the clearing.
There are bears in the area,
they like food in cars, they can smell it no matter how well you try to
hide it. . don't bring it. . . .
- - - - Lock your car !!!!
- - - -
Trail Head Directions
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continue down the trail approximately 1 mile. . . 10 -
20 minutes.
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eventually the trail will intersect a "old" Power Line
Maintenance Road
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continue until you see a OLD huge (maybe big) blue Water
Tank. This tank is located directly over the tunnel.
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continue down the trail another 100 - 200 yards. There
will be a drainage path/trail/timber-cutting path to the Right. The path
is a little steep and eventually disappears into a bizillion Ferns. This
path "runs" to the Right & somewhat parallel to the tunnel.
-
approximately 1000 to 1500 feet down the this path, you
should be able to see the "old Turnpike".
-
The tunnel is to the Right
EASY (EASIER) WAY
(TO THE TRAIL HEAD)
-
Continue past Tunnel Road, past Kosser Lake (on right)
approximately 4 miles. After you "crest" a top of a hill, a Twp Road #
858 will go off to the left. Take this road to the Mt.Zion Church,
-
turn Left on SSR #4001
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continue on this road approximately 2 - 3 miles to Twp
Road #635
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turn Left on Twp Road # 635
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continue up 635 (3 -5 miles) until you see a Blue house
on the Left, an OLD gate (Power Line Maintenance Road) on the right, and
the "Twp 635" starts decidedly "uphill".
You just passed "George's" house - - next driveway back
down the road on the same side as the gate. If you want to start
at the Gate. . . go ask George. He has real freindly three-legged
dog. If you want to start at the Trail Head contiue "up" Twp #635 approximately
1/4 - 1/2 mile. It is the first Trail Head on the Right. Then follow "Trail
Head" directions listed above.
Back at the gate, follow
the Power Line Maintenance Road approximately 1/2 - 3/4 mile the road will
swing slightly up hill to the left & a path will exit to the Right
& into the woods
. . Decision time. . .
The path will eventually bring you down on the
left side of the Tunnel/Old Turnpike, BUT it gets very steep, slippery
and rocky. You can either take this path or follow the Power Line Maintenance
Road up to the Left
Path Route
-
If you chose the path, continue on the path until you
see a creek/water run-off cut/(?).There is trail (of sorts) which turns
"downhill" just before you reach the creek.
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approximately 300 - 500 yards down the trail, you
should be able to see the old turnpike to the Left- - across the creek..
The Tunnel should be to the Left. We went down the embankment (Chute)
at this point.
Power Line Maintenance Road Route
-
follow the Power Line Maintenance
Road until you see a OLD huge (maybe big) blue Water Tank (to the right).
This tank is located directly over the tunnel.
-
continue down the trail another 100 - 200 yards. There
will be a drainage path/trail/timber-cutting path to the Right. The path
is a little steep and eventually disappears into a bizillion Ferns. This
path "runs" to the Right & somewhat parallel to the tunnel.
-
approximately 1000 to 1500 feet down the this path, you
should be able to see the "old Turnpike".
-
The tunnel is to the Right.
Enjoy, be careful
be sure to have plenty of water
& whatever emergency supplies you feel necessary,
including a "cell" phone.
you are visitor since July 23, 1999