In Your Backyard January 2018 ~ Pittsburgh Incline and West End Overlook

View from Mt Washington

 In Your Backyard 

For our next adventure I am turning the vehicle southbound out of the snow belt. The one and a half hour journey to the Greater Pittsburgh area will feel balmy compared to our frigid single digit temperatures. However, it is still likely to be cold and layers are important to bring especially if you plan to spend any amount of time outside. It is always better to be safe then sorry, and for the parents of teenagers who always seem to dress inappropriately for the weather and argue that they will not need the hat, I suggest to just grab it yourself and bring it along. They will be complaining later and you can then have the pleasure of saying “I told you so” 

Be sure to pack the camera for this adventure and fuel up the vehicle to make the trek down I-79 south. Take the exit for I-279 and watch for the signs for Station Square. For those of you using a GPS or a computer to print a map the address is 125 W Station Square Dr Pittsburgh, Pa 15219. I will warn you that no matter which lane you are in when you cross the bridge you will be in the wrong lane for your exit. Anticipate this, because so is everyone else and it is a free for all from every direction, avoiding rush hour is your best bet. There is a parking lot located at Station Square and for a fee you can park in a covered garage. The fees are by the hour starting at $3 for 1 hour and going up to $10 for 5 hours. Be sure to take your ticket with you when you leave the vehicle because you must pay before you go back to your car to leave. 

Once you have arrived and parked the fun begins. There are two remaining inclines that go to the top of Mount Washington for a fantastic view that even the most grumpy teen will be hard pressed to not enjoy. The Monongahela Incline (or the Mon as the locals will call it) is located closest to the Station Square facility. There are nice little shops located inside railcars inside of Station Square which makes for a unique shopping experience you may want to check out while you are there. Once you have made your way through the Square you will come to the crosswalk to get to the Incline. The cost is $5 for a roundtrip ticket for an adult, kids 6-11 are $2.50, children 5 and under are free and so are PA senior citizens with their Medicare Card. 

Be sure to get out at the top and walk around a bit. There are some nice places to get a cup of coffee or a snack and there are several overlooks on Grandview Ave that goes along the crest of Mount Washington. If you are really adventurous you can make the one mile trek over to the Duquesne Incline and enjoy the scenic walk along the way. 

The next spot worth noting while you are in the area is the West End Overlook. This area is a bit more difficult to find and the blue informational signs are not abundant so a GPS unit is very very helpful. I will say that I have been to this location about 5 times and I do not think I have gone the same way any time I have been there. The actual address is West End Overlook/ Elliot Park located at Marlow St Pittsburgh, Pa 15220. Once you do make it to the parking lot, head out to the fence line, a beautiful view of all three rivers and a straight on view of Point Park will await you. 

The skyline in the evening is absolutely spectacular from either the West End Overlook or Mount Washington and this is definitely when you will be glad that you grabbed the extra clothing. I hope that you enjoyed this edition of In Your Backyard. Until next time just remember the words of the great J.R.R.Tolkien “Not all those who wander are lost.” - 

View from West End Overlook

As Seen in Meadville Tribune