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It took the Roaring Run Watershed Association more than a decade of fundraising and volunteer work to complete the first four miles of gravel trails along the Kiski River.

Thanks to nearly $800,000 in federal stimulus grant money awarded this summer, the last mile was finished in mere months.

The Roaring Run Trail now is complete from the main parking lot in Apollo to the new trailhead in the Edmon section of Kiski Township, about five miles upriver.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet," said Neill Andritz, president of the watershed association that manages the trail and the surrounding 650 acres of woodland in Apollo and Kiski Township.

The newest section, while still offering riverside views and access, differs from the first four miles of trail in terrain and surface.

The level trail leaving Apollo follows former rail and canal beds and is covered with crushed limestone.

The new section starts near the Flat Run tributary and follows a former logging road. It includes a few hills, including a steep grade up to the Edmon trailhead and its gravel parking lot.

"It's a heck of a climb," said Rich Dixon, association vice president and an Apollo councilman. "My goal is to be able to pedal up it next year."

Since a gravel surface would erode along the Edmon section, the last mile has an asphalt base and is covered with tar and chips.

Dixon said it's nearly as well-paved -- and expensive -- as a road.

"It was a lot of money," Dixon said, adding the work would have taken years to complete if not for the grant.

The engineering and design work already had been completed as part of a previous grant.

The federal stimulus money paid for a restroom facility at the Apollo trailhead and some widening and other improvements to the existing gravel trail.

A small wooden arch bridge over Flat Run was built by association volunteer Max Stapinsky.

Andritz and Dixon said the main Roaring Run Trail is complete along the entire length of the association's riverside property.

The association also operates the 1.5-mile Rock Furnace Trail, which runs along Roaring Run from a small Brownstown Road trailhead to the Roaring Run Trail. The property also contains about 15 miles of less developed trails open to hikers and mountain bikers.

The association now will turn its attention to two projects, one small and one large.

Dixon said they would like to upgrade a primitive boat launch at the Apollo parking area. Many canoers and kayakers access the river from the trail.

On a larger scale, the association also would like to connect Roaring Run Trail to the West Penn Trail in Saltsburg. That likely will require a coalition of interested people and organizations, especially since property will need to be acquired between the two trails.

"This leave us two short miles to the West Penn connection," Andritz said. "That's our next goal."

Dixon said once the connection is made, hikers and bikers will be able to travel by trail from Apollo to Ebensburg through a network that includes the Ghost Town Trail in Indiana and Cambria counties.

But for now, Dixon and Andritz said they are enjoying the completed Roaring Run Trail.

"Everybody's really pleased to see this finished," Dixon said. "There's really nice views of the river."

"It gives people a chance to connect with nature," Andritz said. "It's definitely one of the most scenic trails around."

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