Although the campsites were a bit pricey for out of towners ($30.00 per night), this Carbon County Park campground and facilities are in our opinion, well worth it. This is a great place to stop for swim on a hot summer day (See our Bikes & Beaches feature article for more details). 330 acre pristine Mauch Chunk Lake is the centerpiece with Mauch Chunk Ridge as a backdrop. This summer we camped at Mauch Chunk Lake County Park, located midway between Jim Thorpe and Summit Hill. To complete the loop, take the Wagon Road down for a quick, difficult descent over rocks and loose gravel into Jim Thorpe. Pisgah, for trail description) heading uphill to the top of Mt. Today, it remains a landmark for mountain bikers and hikers along the trail.Īt the sign, about face and take the dirt singletrack Switchback Trail Back Track on the left (see Option 4, Mauch Chunk to Mt. This overpass, approximately 5 miles from the Lehigh River, and a large tree growing nearby, combined to form a well-known landmark "The Five MileTree" for Switchback Tourists. To permit empty coal cars to return unobstructed to the Jefferson Plane, a crossover was constructed. Later the Mount Pisgah Plane was the starting point of the nation's first "tourist railroad" or should I say rollercoaster ride.īegin mountain biking at banks of the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe and ride to the half-way point at Five Mile Tree Crossover.Īn interpretive sign marks the spot. The Switchback Trail was the descending route of the cars from Mount Pisgah. Used by the Switch Back Railroad to pull cars laden with coal to the mountain top. Pisgah Plane, constructed in 1845 was the route The Wagon Road, and the Switchback Trail. The Mount Pisgah Plane (2322 feet long, rising 664 feet on a 29 percent grade), There are several ways to approach this ride. Mount Pisgah is a natural wilderness, home to diverse wildlife suchĪs bear, deer, grouse, fox and a wide variety of plants, Technical, steep rocky climb and descent. On the Switchback Trail and then descend on the Wagon Trail for a Mountain bikers prefer to ride in the reverse direction by climbing Mt. Pisgah ridge before descending into the valley where the trail widens and winds along Mauch Chunk Creek through dense eastern hemlock and rhododendron forest to where it ends at the 19th century Opera House in historic Jim Thorpe, PA. The one way, all downhill grade makes for a pleasant, scenic 9 mile bike trip along the Mt. Shuttle services are available at Bike Shops and Outdoor Adventure Tour Operators in and around town.
It can be ridden as an out-and-back or as an easy, 9 mile one way, all downhill scenic mountain bike ride. The rail trail climbs moderately from the trailhead near Jim Thorpe to Summit Hill, where the story of coal mining in Pennylvania began. This section of the Switchback Trail has been developed by Carbon County and The Federal Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service to offer a well-maintained wide and fairly smooth surfaced rail trail that links towns, historical points of interest and the various recreational facilities within the Mauch Chunk Valley. Option 1 & 2: The Switchback Trail : Down Track (18 miles round tip or 9 miles one way) Design your mountain bike ride according to your ability level and skills. Whichever route you choose to take, the scenery is beautiful. Today, the Switchback Trail, a designated National Historic Trail, offers mountain bikers several off-road trail options. The most historic of Pennsylvania's Rails-to-Trails, the Switchback Trail traces the gravity and mule-powered railroad that began operation in 1827 to carry coal from Summit Hill to the Lehigh Canal in Jim Thorpe for shipment to Philadelphia.
Mauch chunk opera house shuttle free#
Note: The free trail maps on this website have been simplified to provide an overview with approximate locations of trails and special features. Local Resources: Bike shops, bike clubs, adventure travel, bike tours, bike events, trail maps, bike safety, camping, historical places, where to stay and other related sources Other Area Trails Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail Jim Thorpe Area Trails Mostly level with steep, optional rocky descent.Ĭaution: Shared use: mountain biking, hiking. Miles as loop, combining Back Track and Down Track. Thorpe or at Mauch Chunk Lake Park 3 miles west of town on the Lentz Trail Pass through the first traffic light at eastĮnd of concrete bridge, cross bridge, turn right onto Rt.209S (will run northįor several miles). The Pennsylvania Turnpike to exit 34, Mahoning
Carbonĭirections: Take the Northeast Extension of
0 kommentar(er)
