Easy hikes and walks around Elizabeth

This is a good place to take a break on a hot day, as the waterfall produces cold wind. DO NOT DRINK this water, It is from an acid mine and the red-orange color comes from iron and rust.

S THE WATERFALL Demonstrating acid mnine drainage The water here is acid and iron-rich, coming up to the surface from underground mines, stairung the-rocks ruspred. Acid mine drainage (AMID) is a major source of water pollution. Cause of extensive stream environmental damage. The Ocean Coal Company, a subsidiaries of Bevind- White Coal Company Philadelphia, PA, esaiblished several mines in this region including, in 1900, Ocean No. 2. It is purported that drainage from ocean No. 2 is the chief cause of the Red Waterfall Why is it acidic and full of iron? Hundreds of millions of years ago, the massive Pittsburgh Coal Seam formed underneath parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohiờ from ancient swamp plants. Sand, silts, shells, and other -matter were deposited and made a rock seal over the carbon-rich vegetation, This rock contained the mineral "pyrite," made of iron and sulfur Coal mining exposes pyrite to oxygen and ground water causing the formation of sulfuric acid and a number of red, orange, and yellow compound s. AMD occurs when this mine water seeps, or in this-case, bursts out into Streams. The yellow sulfur can be seen in the shale near coal seams. GRESCHIN DASSAGE SPONSORED BY: Southwestern PA Heritage Breservation- Commission Allegheny Trail Alliances Regional Trail Corpofation For moterinformation. www.gaptrail.org

The Red Waterfall is one of the main highlights on the GAP between West Newton and McKeesport. The falls gets its name from the water that has been colored red by nearby underground coal mines, which has made the water acidic and iron-rich water.

This is the first (or last) section of the approximately 50 miles long Montour Trail. It starts in the town of Clairton on the Monogahela River and follows Peter's Creek to Jefferson Hills. The multi-use trail is mostly surrounded by forest and offers some nice views of the creek.

With a size of 1,100 acres, the Round Hill Park in Elizabeth is part of the Allegheny County's network of nine parks. The park features shelters, picnic areas, a playground and nice walking trails.