Corry Junction Greenway Trail

From Clymer in Chautauqua County NY to Corry in Erie County PA

The Corry Junction Greenway Trail follows Brokenstraw Ck from Clymer NY to Corry PA on the route of the former Penn Central RR. The trail is finished 10’ wide in packed crushed limestone with asphalt ramps at road crossings. This trail is part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail (page NE-13).

The completed trail runs from MP 5.8, which is located about 0.8 miles south of Clymer, to MP 0.0 on Route 426 just outside of Corry. We describe the trail north to south as part of the Erie to the Pittsburgh Trail, although it will probably be ridden from the trailhead at Hereford.

Corry Junction Greenway Trail

Location	Clymer NY to Corry PA, Chautauqua County NY and Erie County PA

Trailheads	Plastics Rd, Hereford Rd

Length, Surface	6.6 miles total, 5.0 miles crushed limestone,

.8 miles dirt two-track, 0.8 planed

Character	Little-used, wooded to rural, mostly shady, flat

Character	Uncrowded, wooded, shady, definite grade

Usage restrictions	No motorized vehicles except snowmobiles in season;

horses permitted

Amenities	Food, bike shop, lodging

Driving time from Pittsburgh	2 hour 25 minutes north

The first 0.8 miles (MP 5.8 to MP 5.0) is packed, two-track dirt. About half this section is between the edge of the woods and wide-open farmland, while the other half has woods on the left and farmland through a narrow strip of trees on the right. A mountain bike is needed for this section. At a dirt road (MP 5.0), the trail changes from two-track to a 10' wide limestone path in great shape (2015). At MP 4.8 the trail crosses the state line. From there the trail travels mostly in the woods with the road up a short hill on the right and the creek and wetlands on the left. Plank Rd (MP 4.0) crosses the trail diagonally, using a short stretch of shoulder to enable a straight-across crossing. South of Plank Rd to Herford Rd (MP (1.2) the trail is limestone, but a little older and showing signs of wear. At Simmons Rd (MP 3.3), a former road bridge has been replaced by an embankment, with paved ramps up to the road crossing. At MP 2.7 there is a swamp just off the trail to the right. From Simmons Rd to Hereford (MP 1.2) the trail is mostly in the woods.

From Hereford to MP 0.0 the trail is again a 10' limestone in great shape. South of Herford is mostly farmland on both sides just beyond a narrow strip of trees. At MP 0.7 there is a ball field with a dugout just alongside the trail. If there is a game in progress, there are likely to be people and kids near/on the trail. After the ball field, the trail jogs to the right into the woods to avoid an industrial parking lot and access road. The trail emerges from the woods at Plastics Rd (MP 0.5). It turns left and follows the shoulder for about 75 feet to enable a straight-across crossing, using the faded crosswalk markings. The bike path follows along the shoulder for about 300 feet more, then ducks back into the woods and continue in the woods to MP 0.0. At Plastics Rd, the grass field on the right is a parking lot associated with a large soccer field.

Local history, attractions

About 4 miles east of the Mill Rd crossing (MP 5.7), via Mill Rd (which becomes Factory Rd, then Hudson Rd) and north on Alder Bottom Rd, two parcels of land make up Tamarack Swamp in State Game Lands 197. This is a National Natural Landmark, and it is unusual in that the northeastern section is a bog (it gets its acidic water from precipitation) but the southwestern section is a fen (wetland with alkaline groundwater as a source). Take map, compass, and high rubber boots if you intend to leave the road.

Extensions of the ride

The northern connection to the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail involves getting to Sherman, which is the end of the Chautauqua Rails to Trails system (page NE-33). This hilly, on-road connection is described with the Chautauqua Rails to Trails system.

The southern connection to the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail is not yet developed. The next segment to the south is the East Branch Trail (page NE-42) near Spartansburg, about 8 or 9 miles away.

Development plans

The trail organization plans to extend the trail south to join the East Branch Trail.

Access points

Vicinity: Directions begin eastbound on US6 at its intersection with PA426 on the north side of Corry. To reach this point from Pittsburgh head north on I79, take exit 147A(Meadville), follow US322 for 1.6 miles to a fork with Park Av. Continue straight on Park Ave when US322 forks to the left for about 0.9 miles to North St. Turn right onto PA27/North St and go two blocks. Turn north (left) onto PA86/Main St and go 12.4 miles to US6. Continue on US6 to Corry for about 26.8 miles to the intersection with PA426.

Hereford Rd: From the US6/PA426 intersection, turn north (left) on PA426 and go about 0.3 miles to Sciota Rd (not St). Turn right/northeast on Sciota Rd and go about 1.1 miles to Hereford Rd. Turn right/east and go about 0.1 miles to the trail parking on the left.

Plastics Rd trailhead: From the US6/PA426 intersection, turn north (left) on PA426 and go about 0.3 miles to Sciota Rd (not St). Turn northeast (right) on Sciota Rd and go about 0.3 miles to Plastics Rd. Turn east (right) onto Plastics Rd. Just before crossing the trail, and a road intersection turn right into a big grassy field and park. If you see the plant on your left, you have gone too far.

Corry trailhead: MP 0.0. There is no parking here, so it is probably best to use the parking lot at Plastics Rd or Hereford Rd.

Amenities

Rest rooms, water: None.

Bike shop, rentals: Bike shop in Corry.

Restaurant, groceries: In Corry.

Camping, simple lodging: In Corry.

Swimming, fishing: None.

Winter sports: The Tri-County Snowmobile group helps to maintain the trail and uses it in season.

Wheelchair access: The gate just south of Plank Rd completely blocks the trail surface.

Trail organization

Corry Junction Trail

Northwest Pennsylvania Trail Assn

PO Box 9401

Erie, PA 16505

www.facebook.com/corryjunctiongreenwaytrail4fitness

Maps, guides, other references

Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. “Tamarack Swamp” www.enaturalist.org/tamarack-swamp.html

USGS Topographic Maps: North Clymer NY, Columbus, Corry

Version

Text version of 28 Apr 2015 based on personal observation while bicycling Corry to Climer 4/2015; << Note the map needs to be updated>> Conditions may have changed; you are responsible for your own safety. Oldest segment check 4/2015.