Originally Posted by
indyfabz
I did Franklin to Emlenton as part of a cross-PA tour maybe 5 years ago. Pretty ride. Saw deer and bald eagles. There is one short section (about .75 miles) where you have to detour off the old rail bed. It's unpaved, but was easily rideable when I did it. There is a private campground just outside the center of Emlenton. Franklin has a couple of motels. Note that the trail changes names to the Samuel L. Justus Trail (or something like that) north of the Franklin area.
Most definitely have a good light for the tunnels.
That is a local sore spot. The property owners in that area did not want riders going past their place. They went to court. Trail organizers finally gave up and put the detour in. It really sucks.
I would not define it as "easily rideable" at all. The path leading to the road from the north bound side is very rough and steep. Once you reach the road, it is very rough to start it does smooth out a bit then becomes very rideable.