Hike #551 3/26/11
A group shot from Jimmy Delotto on the Nesquehoning Trestle! Thanks dude!
3/26/11 Jim Thorpe/Mauch Chunk Lake Area with Jillane Becker, Teun Ott, George DeLarche, Susan Eckhardt, "DJ Ray" Cordts, Eric Pace, ?, Krithika Raman, and Jim Delotto.
My next hike would be a big loop around the area of Jim Thorpe PA. Since Jillane and I had completed our backpacking trip out in the area in the Summer of 2010 I had been anxious to get back out there for some more exploring. Rich Pace was leading a hike in the area and we had decided we would coordinate our trips. I was going to go up Glen Onoko and meet him near the top, but an unexpected snow occurred and I figured that route would be far too icy to really enjoy, so I made an alternative route in the same vicinity and let Rich know he could still coordinate with me on that one if he wanted. He went ahead with his planned hike anyway, and I believe it went fine.
I met my group at the Jim Thorpe Market across the Lehigh from the main part of the town. DJ Ray and Eric ran really far behind so we got a bit of a late start. Jillane waited behind in the car for us to do the almost loop at the beginning. It was good to have two newcomers unexpectedly joining us as well.
We began walking along the former Lehigh Valley Railroad tracks (Jim Thorpe Market was build on the site of the former station) northbound. It was good to do this section this time of year because the lack of foliage on the trees allowed us to see the otherwise obscured remains of the Lehigh Canal's lock #1 and dam #1 from it's upper division. The Upper Division of the Lehigh Canal was almost completely obliterated following an early flood and replaced by the railroad by the mid 1800s, never to be replaced. Only the first few locks of the Upper Division were kept in operation to a place known as "coal port" where ore was placed on boats from railroad cars.
Former Lehigh Canal Lock 1, Dam 1
We continued north along the tracks until we came to a wide area we were able to descend to, a former canal section. We made our way to a very nice old lock site, I think lock #2, although i think there was one unnumbered lock in the area that was added following the flood that closed most of the upper division.
Former Lehigh Canal lock in Jim Thorpe
Former Lehigh Canal towpath north of Jim Thorpe
We climbed up the lock and were then able to follow the Lehigh Canal towpath ahead. It was clear enough to walk here, with little changed since our previous visit except for one washout. We then came to the next old lock, one with beautifully curved masonry walls. Delotto and DJ Ray walked through this lock while the rest of us stayed up on the walls out along the towpath heading north.
Old Lehigh Canal lock north of Jim Thorpe
Lehigh Canal lock north of Jim Thorpe
We continued north from here along another nice section of towpath which led up to the former Central Railroad of NJ railroad and it's bridges over the Lehigh River and former Lehigh Valley Railroad. We turned left here and followed the new southern extension of the Lehigh Gorge Trail/D&L Trail across the now decked side of the trestle across the river. We had nice views down the river to the south.
Former CNJ bridge over the Lehigh Valley Railroad, now Lehigh Gorge Trail.
Crossing the Nesquenohing Trestle
View down the Lehigh from the Nesquehoning Trestle
When we neared the other side I could see an abutment, letting me know there was probably an earlier bridge at this site than the one that existed now (also, the current bridge was called the Nesquehoning Bridge despite the fact that it did not cross that body of water here).
Abandoned building on the west side of the Nesquehoning bridge
On the other side we passed the abandoned building, an old control tower of sorts we had gone into on a previous hike a couple years earlier. The trail had ended at this point before, but now continued on.
Lehigh Gorge/D&L Trail just north of Jim Thorpe
Old caboose in Jim Thorpe
Old caboose in Jim Thorpe
Old caboose in Jim Thorpe
Old caboose in Jim Thorpe
Old caboose in Jim Thorpe
Old building next to the rail yard in Jim Thorpe
The trail from here was surprisingly well done over. Not only was the surface a very nice millings material, the entire river side of the trail from the trestle site to Jim Thorpe was almost completely followed by nice wooden pine fences. This must have cost quite a fortune to have done.
There was one trailer someone lived in along the trail to the left on our way back to Jim Thorpe, and we passed a guy driving in as we were walking out whom we figured must live there.
We continued along the trail, and soon came to the rail yard from where the excursion trains are run. There were several old rail cars parked here, as well as a line of old cabooses. There were a few ruins in the area, and the trail skirted the rail yard, went into a few trees, and then emerged on a parking lot for the area in Jim Thorpe. We passed under the bridge over the Lehigh and then made our way to the old Jersey Central Station and went in. This is where we met Jillane, who walked over the bridge and came to collect maps and such. We talked to a few people and then made our way into town, to a coffee shot Delotto usually visits. We had some drinks and snacks there, and Delotto unfortunately had to cut out early due to prior obligations, but it was nice he could join us for at least this part.
DJ Ray walked to the Subway and got himself a free sandwich with his Subway card.
View into Jim Thorpe with Flagstaff Mountain
The rest of us made our way up hill past the Asa Packer Mansion, one of the founders of the canal in the area. His brother also had a second fantastic mansion constructed next to it just a bit further up the hill. We headed up to the next level of the town and reached the former "Switchback Railroad", now a trail. The Switchback Gravity railroad pulled rail cars up hill via an inclined plane to the top of Mt. Pisgah, and used a second plane further on in Summit Hill where the first coal was discovered in the region. It then travelled by gravity back to Jim Thorpe, formerly known as Mauch Chunk.
Asa Packer Mansion, Jim Thorpe
Heading up hill on Center Avenue, Jim Thorpe
Harry Packer Mansion, Jim Thorpe
Looking down Center Ave, Jim Thorpe
View from Center Ave, Jim Thorpe
Lock 1, Dam 1 site for Lehigh Canal
Mirror shot on Center Ave, Jim Thorpe
View from Center Ave, Jim Thorpe
Lock 1 on the former Lehigh Canal upper division.
View from Center Ave, Jim Thorpe
Gravity railroad bed in Jim Thorpe
We turned right on the former railroad right of way, next to a large set of stone piles that seemed to be the entrance to an estate, but only seemed to lead off the edge of the mountain. Below us we could see the stone work of Lock 1 below which had previously passed. The plane came to a road where across there was a path, but then it went through people's yards or something, so we had to turn left and follow the closest parallel street. There was a lady out oddly sweeping dust off of the street. We greeted her and continued on to a park on the right side of the road where we could see the old Mt. Pisgah Plane.
The route we took was a left on Walnut Street, right on North Ave to the park on the right.
Historic marker at the base of the Mt. Pisgah Plane
Jillane swinging
There was a little playground with some nice old equipment in it which we took some time to climb around on as well.
Swinging in a Jim Thorpe Park
Crossing the park fields at the bottom of Mt. Pisgah Plane
View up Mt. Pisgah Plane from the bottom
Old road next to Mt. Pisgah plane
Looking down Mt. Pisgah plane partway up
Looking up Mt. Pisgah plane
Looking back down Mt. Pisgah Plane
Historic marker from the top of the Mt. Pisgah Plane
View from the top of Mt. Pisgah Plane
View toward Jim Thorpe from the top of Mt. Pisgah Plane
View from Mt. Pisgah plane
Lehigh Gap from the top of Mt. Pisgah Plane
We began ascending Mt. Pisgah Plane. This of course looked like a big challenge because unlike other trails, this one went directly up the mountain with no switchbacks. Jillane and Eric waited for everyone else to start before beginning the ascent. I then took off and made it up to the front of the group in a short time, although it was difficult and I could tell my breathing was still not what it used to be.
During the ascent, the views continued to get better. By the time I reached the top I could picture how this would have looked had the rails not been removed. We picked the right day to do this hike because we had good seasonal views towards Jim Thorpe, and it was open enough that we could even see out as far as Lehigh Gap to the south over the ridge of Flagstaff Mountain.
A path went to the right around the foundation for where an engine house used to be, and there was another historic marker. We turned right and ascended the last few feet to the very top of the former plane site. The view we were offered from the top, at a nice rocky outcropping, was one of the most rewarding I've seen in some time. We could see clearly below the Nesquehoning Trestle we had just crossed a bit earlier, up the Lehigh, the junction site with the branch line to Nesquehoning, Broad Mountain, and most amazingly into Glen Onoko with the great view of Onoko Falls.
View from the top of Mt. Pisgah looking north.
Onoko Falls in Glen Onoko as seen from atop Mt. Pisgah!
View north from Mt. Pisgah
View of the Nesquehoning Bridge we had crossed earlier from Mt. Pisgah
View from Mt. Pisgah
Atop Mt. Pisgah
Atop Mt. Pisgah
Atop Mt. Pisgah
Atop Mt. Pisgah
I went back down a bit to meet Jillane and Eric as they reached the top. It was great being up there with Jillane because we were at the view point atop Onoko Falls the previous Summer looking off at the view of Mt. Pisgah. We were now looking back at where we were, sort of in different lives, a totally different season. I don't know what exactly it was, but it seemed meaningful.
Historic marker at a bridge site on Mt. Pisgah
Bridge in the clouds abutment
View into Jim Thorpe from the gravity rail bed
View into Jim Thorpe from the gravity rail bed
Lehigh Gap from the Gravity rail bed
There were quite a few ATV riders up on the mountain in this area. The same group of a few people came to the top of the Mt. Pisgah Plane and were about ready to go over when they realized they probably wouldn't make it.
This was a good break spot, and we had some snacks (I got two for a dollar candies at Jim Thorpe Market in the morning).
Once we were all well rested, we continued on along the rail right of way. Some of the group went to some sort of a grade below this because of a missing bridge. A path led us down hill to the bottom of the trestle site with an historic marker. This was the "bridge in the clouds" as it was advertised way back. We continud down and then back up to the other side of the former bridge site and continued on the rail bed heading west.
Along the old gravity railroad bed
As we continued along the rail right of way, we saw some old stone steps ascending to the right. I of course had to check it out. I went up and it led to a beautiful spring. It flowed from a pool to the left, to another pool, then drained into a masonry flume down below the railroad bed. As it turns out, this was a source of coolant water for the functions of the gravity railroad early on.
Old stone stair case at Indian Spring
Indian Spring
Stone stair case to Indian Spring
Along the gravity railroad bed, where the water drains from Indian Spring
Collapsed rail bed that was once bridged
Crossing a collapsed area
We again continued along the rail bed on a high shelf above the valley of the Mauch Chunk Creek with continuous seasonal views. We next came to a place where the rail bed had appeared to have collapsed into a cut below. This we assumed had happened before the abandonment because there appeared to be abutments to have bridged this gap. There was enough of a little rock ledge that we could barely cross over to the other side without too much danger.
Looking down, I knew that this cut looked like it was once the opening to a mine, so I went down to investigate.
Collapsed area of the rail bed
Hacklebernie Mine I think
Descending from the rail bed to the mine
Inside of the mine
There was an obvious small spring bubbling up strongly from the ground in front of the mine site, and I knew this was not a very natural looking one.
I followed a small path down to the opening of what I believe was called the "Hacklebernie Mine". I was very surprised that the mine opening was not blocked in any way! I was correct assuming the spring was unnatural, as it had a drill hole into rock from which the water ran. I could smell sulfur emitted from the mine hole. The others began coming down the same path to join me, and I went into the mine, stepped over a stone wall put inside, then over several branches that were also inside. I started feeling a bit dizzy, so I decided to come back out.
When Jillane came down, she of course wanted to go in, followed shortly by DJ Ray. She continued beyond where I had stopped, so I followed her.
In an old coal mine
Old coal mine
In an old coal mine, probably Hacklebernie Mine
Inside an old coal mine
Inside an old coal mine
Inside an old coal mine
Inside an old coal mine
Back in an old coal mine
We went in quite a ways, but I was getting pretty dizzy and had a headache. DJ Ray was also getting dizzy, and said his sight was getting messed up. I assumed this was from the fumes in the air, but I later talked to my friend Cupcake who has done this mine and he said it's not from fumes, but rather lack of oxygen altogether.
The mine was apparently opened in 1845 and had a spur line from the gravity railroad which was the grade below.
We left the mine and continued along the right of way heading west.
View of Mauch Chunk Lake from the gravity railroad bed
Along the gravity railroad bed
As we walked along, we continued to descend slowly, but still with nice seasonal views. We soon came to where we could see Mauch Chunk Lake below us to the left. The rail right of way became narrower and was obviously not used by ATVs at this point onward. We eventually descended to the Five Mile Tree Bridge. This was where the Switchback Railroad crossed it's former return route. The line used to continue out via gravity to Summit Hill, where the first coal was found in the region, then ascended a bit on the Jefferson Plane to town, then descended via gravity back to Jim Thorpe (Mauch Chunk). We didn't go all the way to Summit Hill this time, but rather turned left and followed the gravity line back from here. There was unfortunately no longer a tree to speak of at this five mile point, or there were, but none of considerable age to have been the one referred to in the name.
Historic Marker at Five Mile Tree Bridge
Abutments to former Five Mile Tree Bridge.
Along the return track of the gravity railroad
Switchback Gravity Railroad near Lentz Trail
Historic marker along Lentz Trail
Reproduction of a Switchback Gravity Railroad excursion car.
The abutments to the bridge were still in place, and the historic marker was great. In fact, all of them were great in that they showed pictures of what the site used to look like where they were placed. It showed the Five Mile Tree bridge, which was easy to picture. We took a nice break here and ate our lunches. I had a great sandwich I got for really cheap at the Jim Thorpe Market.
After the break, we continued along the gravity railroad heading down hill gradually. This section appeared to get much more use than the one up above on the ridge. It descended to close to a road called Lentz Trail, and went closely past people's houses. It continued to get closer to the road before crossing it, and it crossed several private driveways on the way. After crossing the road, it went by the main park office for Mauch Chunk Lake. Unfortunately it was closed so I couldn't get any maps. Along the rail bed was a reproduction, on a set of rails, of one of the excursion rail cars that once operated on the switchback line following the abandonment of the coal transport on it. It was the inspiration for the first roller coaster at Cony Island.
Mauch Chunk Lake
Mauch Chunk Lake
Mauch Chunk Lake
Mauch Chunk Lake
We waited for the others to catch up sitting in the rail car. When we continued on, the rail right of way continued to descend closer to the shore of the lake until it was obliterated by it. A finger of the lake came in to the north and it was possible to see where the rail bed would have continued on the other side. We had to turn left and parallel the lake for a bit, then descend to the right of way again. There were a few other side trails in the area, which we tried to ignore, this time keeping as close as we could to the railroad bed. This area would merit future exploration.
Along the gravity railroad east of Mauch Chunk Lake
View from the gravity railroad east of Mauch Chunk Lake
Giant tree along the gravity railroad
Big tree along the gravity railroad
Gravity railroad
Gravity railroad east of Mauch Chunk Lake
Foot bridge and side trail across Mauch Chunk Creek
When we returned to the rail bed, it's character had changed quite a lot from an open hardwood forest to a cool lowland with Mauch Chaunk Creek intimately flowing in close proximity, vernal pools, tall old giant hemlocks, and healthy understory of Rhododendron interspersed with mixed hardwoods. One of the most diversified forests we've seen in a long time.
It was much cooler in the valley area, and so the snow was still very present along much of the railroad bed, but it's clean white color added to the ambiance of the trail and it's environment of luch green vegetation. If it weren't for the snow, a place like this would make me forget that it was still a cold season.
Foot bridge across Mauch Chunk Creek
Dam on the Mauch Chunk Creek
Along the gravity railroad
Along the gravity railroad entering Jim Thorpe area
Along the gravity railroad
Gravity railroad along Mauch Chunk Creek
We continued out to a more open area where Flagstaff Road came in from the right. Jillane and I had fallen behind a bit, and the others were waiting for us here. They continued ahead of us again, and we followed along the edge of Mauch Chunk Creek out to Lentz Trail again. We couldn't quite tell where to go from here, and the others were already too far ahead of us to see them. I assume the walked all the way into town on the road and just skipped the entire remainder of the gravity railroad which was a shame, because it was absolutely beautiful.
There were abutments where the rail line used to cross Mauch Chunk Creek, and then a road going into a fences area across the creek to the left. There was no signage to tell us where to go, and I wasn't sure if the others had gone this way or not, so I just crossed the bridge, and Jillane, Eric, and I continued to the right.
Bridge piers for where the gravity railroad once crossed Mauch Chunk Creek, Jim Thorpe
Former gravity railroad entering Jim Thorpe
Gravity Railroad gaining height above Mauch Chunk Creek
It sort of looked like an area that would be considered trespassing. I could still see the road to the right, but no sign of th others. I wouldn't see them again till the end.
We skirted the fence to our left, with the creek to the right, and soon the rail right of way became obvious and we were on a shelf with the Mauch Chunk Creek below us on the right. This was beautiful section. As the creek lost elevation, we seemed to gain it as we hugged the side of the ever growing slope.
Cascades on Mauch Chunk Creek below the rail bed
What appears to be a rail spur line off of the gravity railroad in Jim Thorpe
We continued on, and it was hard to believe we were actually into the town of Jim Thorpe, on a shelf in a steep slope that separated Center Ave with West Broadway. Along the way we saw on the left what appeared to be another old rail line, a spur to this one, moving off to the left. It even had a nicely done old masonry culvert over a tributary. I'm not sure what the purpose of this one was.
Gravity railroad in Jim Thorpe
Along the gravity line in Jim Thorpe
Along the gravity line in Jim Thorpe
Gravity railroad, Jim Thorpe
Gravity railroad in Jim Thorpe
We continued on and below us we were able to see the ruins of some sort of castle Delotto was telling us to check out earlier. He told us they were redoing it, and it seemed as though there was some re-pointing of stones going on, but I couldn't see any lumber work. It would be interesting to see this turned into some sort of attraction for this already interesting town.
We continued past the castle; we had crossed Hill Road and were still skirting the steep slope with town above and below us. We soon passed by the cemetery on the hill above us.
Castle ruins in Jim Thorpe
Castle ruins in Jim Thorpe
Gravity railroad in Jim Thorpe
As we passed below the cemetery, Jillane spotted tomb stones along the rail bed. Apparently vandals had gone into the cemetery and thrown them off onto the rail line's shelf. There was a lot of broken old marble or something along this section, but Jillane found one in particular that read "MOTHER" along the top of it.
We continued on as the shelf turned more to the north.
Gravity railroad in Jim Thorpe
The right of way became much much wider, and we got a call from DJ Ray trying to figure out where we were. It turns out I was correct in assuming they had just walked the road into town. They were now at the Subway in town. I couldn't see them, but Ray could see us up on the rail bed above.
Old ore car along the rail bed in Jim Thorpe
We came pretty close to some houses next, and one of them had an old coal car parked out in front of it along the rail bed! I'm pretty sure this must have been an authentic one, and maybe one that had been used on this line. I can't be sure.
We passed a big new house on the right before reaching Center Ave where we'd gotten on the rail right of way before. This was the former site of a station from when this was an excursion line. We turned right here along Center Ave heading back down hill.
I can see my car! View from Center Ave.
Reflection shot
Path in Kemmerer Park, Jim Thorpe
On Center Ave
I could see my car across the Lehigh in the Jim Thorpe Market parking lot. We were almost done. We descended a bit, and then turned left onto a narrow paved path between two stone columns into Kemmerer Park. The path switchbacked down hill and was lined with pretty ivies and stone walls.
Just off of Center Ave with a view of Flagstaff Mountain
Path in Kemmerer Park
Kemmerer Park, Jim Thorpe
Old wagan house, Jim Thorpe
We headed down, and I could see the old wagon house building off to the left. I turned off the paved trail briefly to check it out. It was all fenced in and apparently being renovated.
The park also had a lovely little fountain area, and a small playground we both went down to walk through. We continued out of the park from here to I think a municipal building, and then finished descending into town.
In Kemmerer Park, Jim Thorpe
Kemmerer Park
View into Jim Thorpe
Center Ave, Jim Thorpe at the Asa Packer Mansion
We reached Rt 209 in downtown Jim Thorpe and headed to the left, but stopped along the way to take silly pictures into window reflections and the rear view mirror of a mail truck.
Window reflection shot, Jim Thorpe
Mirror shot on a mail truck, Jim Thorpe
Mirror shot on a mail truck, Jim Thorpe
We followed 209 to the bridge across the Lehigh, and when we turned right on the other side, DJ Ray and Eric were pulling out to head home. I climbed through the window to try to hug DJ Ray to be silly. As we headed down hill, the others were all heading out as well. We at least were able to say goodbye to everyone before moving on.
Hike completed: in my car at Jim Thorpe market.
This was the perfect hike to do on this date. The snow on the south side of the mountains was nearly melted, we had great seasonal views, and the temperature was comfortable. We finished a bit later than Rich did with his group, so we unfortunately never got to meet up.
I can't wait to do my next hike up in that area.
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