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Kittanning Path

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USGS National Map viewer showing Kittanning Run, Pennsylvania location near Altoona--MIxed Mode topo+Sat — USGS combined Topo and relief map image of the Kittanning Point promontory looming above and overshadowing the valley and streams below, directly west and above the confluence of Kittanning Run (denoted by the yellow circle labeled 'A') and Glenwhite Run (the major right branch stream to the north of the reservoirs).
Foot travelers could follow either large stream or the smaller stream in the Kittanning Gap (lower down, at image right), or one of the several gaps of the Allegheny (to the south of this view) which were exploited by the Allegheny Portage Railroad or the Penn Central Railroad. Mule trains of Trappers could take steeper ravines than westward migrating white settlers with animal power towed vehicles such as Wagons and carts.
Each 'gap of the Allegheny Front' was one likely road for Amerindian and fur traders foot traffic to cross the Allegheny Front into the Allegheny Valley and reach the native settlement at Kittanning Village or beyond. Various gaps climb faster (steeper) or slower to the highland 700–900 feet (210–270 m) above.
The terrains above the front are part of the Appalachian Plateau, which presents as a larger-than-county sized region of low hills and small creeks, topped by the eastern continental divide.

USGS overview indicating Kittanning Gap's, Pennsylvania location near Altoona, PA and showing the PRR Horseshoe Curve — Location of Kittanning Gap after GNIS finding of 'Kittanning Gap, Pennsylvania' seen in USGS National Map viewer screenshot. The gap is located effectively in a western suburb of Altoona, PA.
The maps on this page also are showing the nearby PRR Horseshoe Curve, which crosses three other gaps, and the confluence of Kittanning Run with Glen White Run, which descends running nearly due west to east.
The Kittanning Gap gives this 'choice way' of climbing the escarpment to wagons or mule trains on the way to the west side of the Allegheny Mountains and Kittanning, PA along the Kittanning Path. Taking a right through the gap to climb above the escarpment by a circuitous route following a traverse across contours climbing the sides of slopes was longer, but quite a bit easier than attempting to pull farm wagons or Conestoga wagons up either of the steep narrow creek bed straight ahead... or some of the other gaps of the Allegheny Front.

The Kittanning Path was a major east-west Native American trail that crossed the Allegheny Mountains barrier ridge connecting the Susquehanna River valleys in the center of Pennsylvania to the highlands of the Appalachian Plateau and thence to the western lands beyond drained by the Ohio River. Kittanning Village was the first major Delaware (Lenape) Indian settlement along the descent from the Allegheny Plateau.

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