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The Lower Trail - SUMMER Photo Tour

SUMMER is a nice time to visit the Lower Trail. Even though the temperatures can be in the 90's, much of the trail is shaded by the tall trees. In the summertime, many wild flowers are in bloom. The leaves are full and all the foliage is very green.

Since it was to be a rather hot day, we chose the early morning hours for this Photo Shoot. You'll notice the long shadows on many of the photos, and even some haziness in the distance from the early morning moisture. At this time of year, the forest is one giant oxygen-producing machine, so it's a great time to breathe deeply and fill your lungs and your brain with rich, clean oxygen.

You can take a leisurely walk, jog, ride a bike or a horse. If you'd like to ride a bike, but don't have one with you, bikes may be rented at "Past To Present" sandwich and homemade ice cream shop just a block from the Williamsburg trailhead.

Photos for the Summer Tour were taken on August 23rd.

(Scroll down to view the first group of photos)

LEFT - Trail view from the Flowing Springs trailhead; red flowers on the left. Swamp Loosestrife

RIGHT - Trail view also near Flowing Springs trailhead; old railroad mile-marker 39 on left.

LEFT - Berries along the trail - Pokeberry

RIGHT - Large pink plumes of the Joe Pye Weed.

LEFT - Closeup of old railroad mile-marker 39.

RIGHT - Rich green foliage along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River

Historical Marker

The Juniata River corridor has long been used as a transportation route, first by the American Indians as part of the Kittanning trail, and later by hunters, trappers, and pioneers, by boat, horseback and wagon as the frontier moved westward.

In the 1820's, Pennsylvania began the development of a transportation system across the state, which included the construction of railroads and a canal system.