The Panhandle Pathway Trail is the 22 mile railtrail corridor running from Winamac in Pulaski County, almost to France Park (near Logansport) in Cass County. This corridor follows the old railbed of the Pennsylvania Railroad line i.e., the Panhandle Railroad and was purchased via the Federal Railbanking Program for the purpose of developing a trail for hiking, bicycling, and other non-motorized recreational uses.
The Panhandle Pathway follows the historic rail path through farmland, shady wooded areas, the beginning of the Wabash Valley, and across the Tippecanoe River, as well as across Mill Creek, Mud Creek, Indian Creek, Little Indian Creek and Crooked Creek. The trail provides views of farmland and a dedicated prairie preserve. The trail currently goes through the communities of Winamac, Star City, Thornhope and Royal Center on the ride south to the Kenneth (west of Logansport) cul-de-sac rest area. The Panhandle Pathway Trail is ideal for walking, hiking, running, biking and skating. Overall it is comfortably wide, smooth, and flat. There is a good mixture of open and shaded trail.
Well maintained by volunteers, the Panhandle Pathway Trail is a lovely rural experience with new things to see and hear every time you use it.
Trail Talk: Issue 28
Trail Expansion to France Park
With the north end Phase 1 expansion in Winamac nearing completion, focus now turns to taking the Panhandle Pathway through to the entrance of France Park. The Panhandle team continues to work towards the vision of “Park to Park.” When completed, one should be able to follow the Panhandle Pathway from Tippecanoe River State Park on the north end to France Park on the south and never leave the trail. All of the Panhandle friends who continue to back these efforts are appreciated. This is not possible without your help.
The Guys Go Out for a Ride
Alan Nies, area resident and avid bicycle rider, had a recent memorable experience of riding the trail with his three grandchildren.
Fun time for all: Ages 3 to 64. As they discovered, bike riding on the Panhandle Pathway is more than a bike ride. There is so much to see and explore and no two trips are exactly alike. It is an adventure every time.
On this day’s ride they encountered a garter snake sunning on the asphalt. Riley, the 3-year-old, rode his bike right up to investigate. The older two wanted grandpa to check things out first. Next came a large trail side groundhog hole—all looked inside and discovered—no one was home! Just an empty hole.
Alan is no newcomer to bicycle riding and had to explain to the grandkids that a trip to Mud Creek is something that their mothers enjoyed doing when they were little. Back then, of course, it was railroad tracks and not a recreational trail.
As with any long trip out and back, everyone got a little thirsty, and Riley had to sample grandpa’s water bottle drink. He had to explain that grandpa’s drink tasted a little funny. Grandpa said the water was a sports drink and had electrolytes in it. “It gives you energy!” After that conversation, Riley was back out and leading the pack again.
The 7-year-old, Ezra, and the 5-year-old, Jonah, enjoyed wearing their new bicycle helmets. Riley and grandpa put new stickers on Riley’s helmet. By the end of the day, all were tired, ready to go home and agreed that they certainly had fun.
Have something to say about the Panhandle Pathway? Please share: www.panhandlepathway.org/contact-us/.
Park to park will be terrific… can’t wait 😊🚴🏻
