Adopt-A-Trail

A dedicated group of our members participate in our "Adopt-A-Trail" program. These folks donate their time and labor to keep our trail system open. A never ending job of checking trails and clearing brush yields a trail riders dream... miles and miles of scenic trails for all of us to enjoy. We are always in need of folks to step in and help with the trail maintenance. Please consider becoming an "Adopt-A-Trail" volunteer.

Our volunteers are listed below along with a contact number.

TRAIL ADOPTEES

 1.    In Park Trail  -  Bill Roman (724-845-7120)

 2.    Park to Covered Bridge  -  Karol and Dennis McElfresh  (724-763-2775) and Chris O’Donnell (724-763-9454) 

3.    Lollipop Loop  -  Ranae Procyk (724-337-6057)

 4.    Trailhead – Greta and Jeff Grimm (724-525-4152); Greg Staats (724-459-0497) and Sue Mangus (724-567-5539) and Cub Scout Pack 546

 5.    Trailhead to Cochrans Mills  - Melissa and Gary Endlich (724-763-4108) and Cindy and Eric Hartman (724-459-0898)

 6.    Cherry Run  -  Chris Troup (724-640-6696) 

7.    Lower Manor Mineral Loop  -  Wes Jackson (412-795-6178)

 8.    Middle Manor Mineral Loop  -  Tom Hicks  (724-568-1842)

 9.    Upper Manor Mineral Loop  -  Caren and Joe Hanz (724-354-3030)

 10. Donkey Farm Spur Trail Through Strip Mine -  Sue Mangus       (724-567-5539)

 11.  Cochrans Mills to Burrell VFD  -  JoAnn and Mike Anthony (724-763-7296)

 12.  Burrell VFD to Rob’s Fording  - 

 13.  Beaver Dam Trail  -  Hanna and John Rush (724-845-9258)

 14.  Rob’s Fording to Boat Launch  -  Denise Klingensmith and Mike Craven (724-763-7861)

 15.  Boat Launch to Park – Barb & Tom Thelen (410-643-4236)

CROOKED CREEK HORSE PARK
THE TRAIL SYSTEM AND
McANINCH TRAIL HEAD
Revised 2007

Our trail system consists of many miles of trail over varying terrain.  There are loops, which can be enlarged into bigger loops, and legs, which can be used to join other loops and legs.  Our map will be necessary for you to do this and will make understanding the trail descriptions much easier. 

 The following description of the trails is only a brief overview and provides general information.  Weather conditions greatly affect the safety of the trails.  Also, cell phone service is not available on all portions of the trails. 

 All trails are marked with white dots or with white bands around tree trunks.  The one exception is the “In Park Loop Trail” which is marked with orange dots.

 THE POSSIBILITY OF TRAIL FLOODING

 Because our trail system is leased from property belonging to the Army Corp. of Engineers for controlling flood waters, occasionally water is held back in a “pool” which causes our trails to be underwater. 

You can directly check the ACoE’s webpage to verify the “pool elevation”.  The link is:  wmw.lrp.usace.army.mil/current/forecast.html.  On the “Daily Reservoir Report and Forecast”, you will see a listing for Crooked Cr. that notes pool elevation and outflow.  When you check the pool elevation number for the 7 AM pool, normal elevation is 846 feet.  At 850 feet, the boat launch is closed by the ACoE.  At 862 feet, portions of Cherry Run and Manor Mineral trails will be at flood stage.  If the discharge is greater than 1000 CFS it will become very difficult to cross Crooked Creek to use the Boat Launch trail.  

You can also check the current pool elevation by calling 724-763-2764 and listening to the recorded message.

 IN PARK LOOP TRAIL – 2 miles

This trail starts near the Information Center and follows the perimeter of the Horse Park property in a clockwise direction through the woods and ends near the main entrance of the Horse Park.  It is marked with ORANGE dots.

 HORSE PARK TO McANINCH TRAIL HEAD VIA THE COVERED BRIDGE – 4 ½  miles

Starting out at the main entrance of the horse park, bear right, following the white arrows and dots and make a left turn onto Brown Hill Road.  At the top of the hill, make a right turn onto Kerr Road.  Continue on Kerr Road for ½ mile.  At this point, you will see the trail on your right going into the woods (marked with a brown and white trail marker and a white arrow on an old building).  This trail is moderate to difficult as it winds down into Elbow Run Valley and then back up onto the top through the forest.  You are also on a hiking trail known at The Baker Trail, which is marked with yellow rectangles.  Follow this trail as it winds up and down across ravines and through stands of pines and tall trees to a road.  Make a right turn on the road, still following the yellow Baker Trail markers and our white markers.  This trail continues past some private property and no trespassing signs, but it’s OK.  Remember to follow the white dots as the horse trail does not always follow The Baker Trail.  Continue on an easy trail for 1 mile, which will lead down into Horney Camp Run stream and the Covered Bridge.  At this point, you have gone a total of 4 miles from the Horse Park.  From the Covered Bridge, the trail continues past the turn for the Lollipop Loop Trail.  In about 200 yards, you will arrive at our new Trail Head property, where you will see construction for the development of the camping area.  The Baker Trail goes through the Trail Head as well as our trail.  If following the drive out of the Trail Head, the trail continues on roads for 4 more miles until reaching Cochrans Mills. 

 COVERED BRIDGE TO LOLLIPOP LOOP TRAIL – 4 miles

         (Formerly known at the Peninsula Loop Trail)

At the Covered Bridge, cross the stream and go about 30 yards and you will see the trail make a right turn into the woods.  This will start the 4-mile round trip Lollipop Loop Trail.  The stick portion of the loop starts here and is 1 mile long.  It descends into the stream valley, crosses the creek back and forth, and ascends back out of the valley on the left.  During rainy seasons, this part of the trail can become very swampy.   The 2-mile loop is fairly easy with beautiful views of the lake. 

 McANINCH TRAIL HEAD AND PERIMETER TRAIL – 2 miles

This is very easy and loops around the Trail Head.   A map, with markings described, is posted on the outbuilding at the Trail Head and is also available on the Crooked Creek Horse Park website. 

 McANINCH TRAIL HEAD TO COCHRANS MILLS – 4 miles

From the Trail Head follow the driveway to Kerr Road, turn left and go 1 mile to a four-way intersection.  Go straight through this intersection and continue for 1 mile.  Here, the road makes an S-curve.  Use extreme caution here as there is poor visibility for you and the traffic.  Go about 200 yards further and turn right onto Slease Road.  Continue on this gravel road for 1 mile until the trail makes a right turn into “Trails End” farm driveway and then makes a quick turn left uphill on an old road bed.  Continue on for 1 mile to Cochrans Mills.    Before you reach Cochrans Mills, the trail goes along a high bluff with a spectacular view.  It is wide enough for two horses but single file is recommended.  

 CHERRY RUN LOOP TRAIL  – 3.3 miles

This is a beautiful trail, which starts at Cochrans Mills.  The trail crosses Cherry Run stream two times.  It then returns to Cochrans Mills.  At the far end of the trail, a ½ mile spur leads to Cherry Run Road and a parking area.

 MANOR MINERAL LOOP TRAIL – 12 ½ miles

        (Cochrans Mills, Cherry Run and Manor Mineral Trails all intersect at this point.)

The trail begins under the new concrete bridge where you will make a left turn and begin to travel parallel to the creek.  In 1 ½ miles you will have to cross the creek.  Use caution---the best approach is to go to the middle of the creek, continue upstream 100 yards and then head to the opposite side to pick up the trail.  Follow the trail another 1 ½ miles upstream to the second crossing.  Again, use caution--head out into the middle of the creek, travel upstream 200 yards and reconnect to the trail on the opposite side.   In 1 mile you are at Rearicks Crossing Bridge where you can cross the concrete bridge to shorten the loop or continue straight on Manor Mineral Trail.  If you continue straight, parallel to the creek, in 1 ½ miles the trail will come to an end and you will cross the creek again to the opposite side to follow the trail back downstream to Rearicks Crossing Bridge.  At the bridge continue straight up the trail to the Donkey Farm.  Shortly past the Donkey Farm you will see a gate to your right.  Follow this trail and it will take you back down to the creek to retrace your steps back to the new concrete bridge.  To continue on the loop, stay on the gravel road, pass up the gate and ½ mile past the gate, the trail makes a right into some beautiful woods for a descent down to State Route 2025.  Bear left onto Rearick Road to begin the 4 mile trip back to the Boat Launch Trail.  About ¼ mile past this point, Rearick Road makes a sharp right turn at the intersection with Wagle Hill Road.  Be sure to continue to follow Rearick Road to the right.  In about ¾ mile you will come to another intersection with Knell Road.  If you make a right, this will continue the loop back for 1 ¾ miles to the Burrell Township Fire Hall and Cochrans Mills Road.  Go past Cochrans Mills church and look for an old roadbed to the left to pick up a spur trail back to Cochrans Mills.  At this point, you will come to the intersection of Crooked Creek, Cherry Run and Manor Mineral.  Make a right turn up the creek toward the new concrete bridge and you will return to your starting point.  If you would like to go to Cherry Run Loop Trail, continue through the water parallel to the old concrete bridge.   

 BOAT LAUNCH and ROBBS FORDING TRAIL – 5 miles

            (NOT a trail for the novice horse)

Leave the Horse Park from behind the barns and follow the trail markings along a grassy diversion into the woods and down over the hill where you will have to cross Crooked Creek.  Make a right turn onto the trail and follow the trail down to the pipeline.  Make a left turn onto the pipeline.  This will take you past the Environmental Center in the park and across Huston Road before entering back into the woods.  The trail will come out of the woods onto a short stretch (.2 mile) of blacktop road.  CAREFUL here as the road is narrow with a metal guardrail and no birm.    Use caution as boats being towed to the launching area pass through here.  On arriving at the launch area, remember, NO horses in the lake please!  The next 2 ½ miles is remote and scenic and the trail winds its way up and down the hillsides around the lake.  This trail comes out on Robbs Fording Road.  The next 4 miles is all on roads of varying surfaces, and is referred to on the map as the Polka Hollow Road. 

 DRIVING DIRECTIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE ON THE TRAIL MAP

Please notice on the map the “P” for parking.  These areas are large enough to accommodate rigs for parking and riding the various trails in those areas.

 TO REACH COCHRANS MILLS PARKING AREA

Look at the trail map.  Roads are highlighted in orange. 

Leave the horse park, turn right and go 1.7 miles to Route 66. 

Turn left onto Route 66 and go .2 mile to intersection of Routes 66 and Alt. 66. 

Turn left onto Alt. 66 and go 2 miles to Cochrans Mills Road.

Turn left on Cochrans Mills Road and go 3 miles to a “T” intersection. 

Burrell Twp. Firehall in on your left.  Turn left on State Route 2025 and go to the bottom of a hill 1 mile.  As you are approaching a bridge, slow down for a right turn on State Route 2036.  Shortly after turning, you will cross a new concrete bridge and at the very end of the bridge is an access road to the left where you will park down below the bridge.  You can turn at the bottom if you have a smaller rig, but large rigs should back in.