The Pennsylvania Turnpike (America's first "superhighway") was opened to traffic in 1940. There are about a dozen geocaches along the 13 mile route. That is where the fun comes in for us. The first section of abandoned Turnpike is a two-mile stretch which includes Laurel Hill Tunnel. There are pools of water everywhere, some torn up pavement and the occasional rock or branch in the way. When people think of my native Pennsylvania, they usually think Pittsburgh and Philadelphia – urban areas. Enjoy. Rays Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels which were abandoned (this one in 1968) after two massive realignment projects. The future geocache location is marked. This is between Donegal (exit 9[milepost 90.7]) and Somerset (exit 10). This is a simple bike ride or a short hike to the base of the tunnel. Reach the .7-mile-long Rays Hill Tunnel at mile 1 and the 1.3-mile-long Sideling Hill Tunnel at … Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This is a schematic of the western end of the Pike2Bike. Construction started in 1938 using the railroad bed and seven of the nine tunnels. This is the area where I grew up and it looks much as it did 250 years ago – trackless woods as far as the eye can see. Regardless of how or when you go, we think you’ll find this a unique off the beaten path experience. The entire abandoned section, along with its two tunnels, became the Pike2Bike Trail in 2001. Footing can be treacherous. Ray's Hill Tunnel: Ray's Hill Tunnel, western portal, 1980. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is the common name of a 13-mile (21 km) stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike that was bypassed in 1968 when a modern stretch opened to ease traffic congestion in the tunnels. Rays Tunnel is the shorter of the two tunnels at about 3500 feet long. The others are nearby Rays Hill Tunnel, and farther west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel.It was less expensive to realign the Turnpike than to bore a second tube for four lane traffic. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Tunnel Dimensions Total length: 1,138.0 ft. Also called EBT - Rays Hill Tunnel Approximate latitude, longitude +40.22329, -78.05950 (decimal degrees) 40°13'24" N, 78°03'34" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") Approximate UTM coordinates 17/750199/4456688 (zone/easting/northing) Quadrangle map: Saltillo Inventory number BH 58825 (Bridgehunter.com ID) The GPS coordinates of the Rays Hill Tunnel geocache are N40.02072 W78.19852. We sure did. 1885 by South Penn. Sideling Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels abandoned (this one in 1968) after two massive realignment projects. Since then, our Top 10 have changed a bit as we have been to some really cool places. The first 160 mile section from Carlisle to Irwin opened for business on October 1, 1940. To clarify the name spelling: The ridge is known both as "Rays" and "Wrays". A year before Pearl Harbor, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania opened a four lane concrete toll road through these mountains that would eventually run east-west from border to border – the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It has a geocache nicely tucked away in it. The first is the parking area located at the western end of the road. This is the longest stretch of abandoned freeway in America. Despite the constantly increasing rates to drive on the toll road that stretches from one side of the state to the other, it’s often the most convenient way to travel. From the earliest days of exploration to modern times, the Alleghenies have challenged those who tried to tame them with roads, canals and tracks. Past more highway and the smaller, but better preserved, Rays Hill Tunnel is the Bedford County entrance to the abandoned turnpike. Headlights were required even during the day. Actually, two is better. It’s a great introduction to the world of “urban exploration” or URBEX, which we dabble in occasionally. It was the shortest of the seven original tunnels on Pennsylvania Turnpike. All of these tunnels were dark and dingy, with cement lining and recessed lighting. The tunnels — Sideling Hill and Rays Hill, respectively — were closed in the 1960s in favor of a new route for the highway and travel plaza. It's amazing that the tunnels look almost untouched after standing, unmaintained, for more than 40 years. To make the list, there has to be something extraordinary or unique about the geocache under consideration. This left a 13.5 mile stretch of former Turnpike right-of-way abandoned along with the Rays Hill and Sideling Hill Tunnels. There you can get on the old turnpike and ride your bike to the cache. Length: 3,532 feet. The  photos were taken by yours truly. From the parking lot at U.S. 30 and Tannery Road, head east along the abandoned road to kick off this out-and-back (up to 7.3 miles each way). There are two main ways to access the tunnels. Both portals are concrete now with concrete wingwalls. Parking is available in front of the orange snow fence at the bottom of the hill. West end of tunnel is 40.223288,-78.059499 To Laurel Hill Tunnel - EXIT 9 The western portal of Laurel Hill tunnel is easily visible if you stop your car on the eastbound side of the turnpike at MP 99.2. Sideling Hill Tunnel is one of three original Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels abandoned (this one in 1968) after two massive realignment projects. Over the course of 10 years, a lot of work was done on the railroad, including nine tunnels, and a lot of money was spent but the project was never completed. Rays Hill-Sideling Hill Tunnels. If starting on the west end, you will park in Breezewood. This segment includes the Rays Hill Tunnel, Sideling Hill Tunnel, and the former Cove Valley Service Plaza and was abandoned by the PA Turnpike Commission in 1968. Location of the Laurel Hill Tunnel. down the road next to the cemetery that you can pay to park over night. Part of these mountains run through Somerset and Westmoreland counties and are called the Laurel Highlands. Tunnel on abandoned alignment of Pennsylvania Turnpike Unofficially open to hikers and bicyclists The trip is relatively flat and easy to traverse. Ray's Hill Tunnel, 5,532 feet long. ; bypassed and abandoned in 1968. The eastern portal of the Rays Hill Tunnel in 1885 with the geocache location shown. Photo by M. Dakelman : Shortest of the original seven tunnels on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. East end of tunnel is 40.223386,-78.055207. Trying to nail down the Top 10 is a moving target because as we travel around, we run into a lot of potential Top 10’s. Sideling Hill Tunnel is 6,782 feet (2,067 m) long. Construction started in October 1938. All these places were geocache locations. There’s quite a bit of information about all this on the Internet. Families and groups of all ages and abilities bike on it, including the tunnels. Within 10 years, traffic jams at the tunnels became a regular occurrence. Pro Tips: This is an abandoned tunnel area, and signs near the entrance let you know you are proceeding at your own risk. Recommended parking for this cache is the dirt parking lot behind the Ramada Inn in Breezewood. However, for an 11-mile section of Turnpike that included Rays Hill Tunnel (0.7 miles)on the border of Bedford and Fulton Counties, and Sideling Hill Tunnel (1.3 miles; th… A family friendly blog for explorers, educators, curiosity seekers and lifelong learners of all ages. The road was four lanes but the tunnels were two lanes and very narrow and dark. Make sure to bring a flashlight, and a helmet wouldn’t hurt in case anything falls from the ceiling of the tunnel. Sideling Hill Tunnel is 6,782 feet (2,067 m) long. Two small parking areas exist along Oregon Road about two miles from this intersection and provide simple access to a trail. Our #2 cache made the list because of the unique geocaching environment it is located in – an abandoned highway tunnel on an abandoned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Roughly one-third of the way in, the temperature had … RR; completed 1940 by Penn. The road was designed to maximize straightaways while minimizing curves and hills. The center 2/3 of the tunnel is pitch black and requires a strong bike light to negotiate safely. The Sideling Hill and Raya Hill Tunnels were routed around in 1968. To the north of Broad Top Mountain it is most often spelled "Wrays" and to the south most often "Rays." The Rays Hill Tunnel is about a mile long, some 20 feet tall, and about two and a half lanes wide. The small dot of light in the center of the blackness is the other end. It is located at the Westmoreland/Somerset County line and was bypassed in 1964. #9 – Nuke on a Mountain Cache, Sundance, WY, #8 – The Caves of the Door Bluff Headlands Cache, Door County, WI, #5 – Dragoon Springs Geocache, Dragoon, AZ, #4 – Civil War Entrenchments Cache, Snake Springs, PA. This cache will take you to Ray's Hill tunnel which is about 2 miles from Breezewood. Steps, passageways, ventilators, control rooms and other assorted man-made features are waiting for the curious. This is the parking area for Rays Hill Tunnel and the southern end of the Abandoned PA Turnpike. Here’s a link with their description and location. The nearby Sideling Hill Tunnel was the longest tunnel on the turnpike at almost 7,000 feet. If using the parking load at the western end, I highly recommend bringing a bicycle. It was also bypassed and abandoned but everything was torn down. Four others had second parallel tubes drilled. Tpk. In fact, most of Pennsylvania is heavily wooded and mountainous. Take your light and wear your helmet. The Allegheny Mountains run northeast to southwest through the center half of the state. The others are nearby Rays Hill Tunnel, and further west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel.It was less expensive to realign the Turnpike than to bore a second tube for four lane traffic. Each one has a caption that identifies it. It has been off limits since it was taken out of service in 1964. Hike To Abandoned Rays Hill Tunnel In Pennsylvania For A Unique Outdoor Adventure. Rays Hill Tunnel lies about two miles east of this point. You’ll be biking in pitch black darkness for almost a mile. Built in 1881 as part of the failed South PA railroad. A local bike shop does tours of the pike and the tunnels. A parking lot exists on the trail at the eastern end of the turnpike off Pump Station Road north of US 30; the entrance is a service road just south of where a turnpike overpass was removed in 2005. The others included the Sideling Hill Tunnel, and farther west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel.. Rays Hill Tunnel is 3,532 feet (1,077 m) long. abandoned , Abandoned pa turnpike , abandoned turnpike , Pennsylvania turnpike , Rays hill tunnel , Sideling hill tunnel , turnpike turn pike You’ll also experience a 20 degree temperature drop, which is welcome on a hot July day. There are a couple of trail heads and a service road called Oregon Road that allow access to the pike. Over the course of 10 years, a lot of work was done on the railroad, including nine tunnels, and a lot of money was spent but the project was never completed. The eastern portal of the Rays Hill Tunnel in 1885 with the geocache location shown. The eastern portal of the Rays Hill Tunnel in 1885 with the geocache location shown. So here we are on a hot July day looking for tunnel geocaches compliments of Andrew Carnegie and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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