My TrailLink

D & L Trail - Lehigh Gorge State Park Trail
A great way to spend a Fall Afternoon

"This past weekend I made my way to Jim Thorpe for the second time in two weeks. This time my objective was to ride from Glen Oken to White Haven. The trail starts out in the Glen Oken State park where parking was plentiful. Once on the trail I found it nice a smooth, very well taken care of. the trail follows the River that once was the site of coal minning, the remains of locks in the canal. There are makers along the trail to tell you where you are and there is a Parking Lot and restrooms at Rockport which is about the halfway mark. The leaves where beautiful and the people on the trail where friendly. Once I got to Whilt Haven I found this small Pizza shop where I had a Slice of Pizza and a coke for $3.18 which I felt was a good deal. After finishing my pizza I headed back to Glen Oken, the trip back was a slite downgrade so I was able to keep it moving preaty good. in all it took me about 3:10 hours of ride time to cover 44 miles. Good trail for the kids and many sites you will want to take pictures of.

Have fun. "

Swatara Rail-Trail
Decent trail once you find it.

"I decided to take my Labor Day and discover the Swatara Rail Trail.

I first tried to catch the trail at the KOA located at the I-81 and 72 intersection. But there is a temp concret plant on that part of the trial so I got back in the car and drove North on 443 for about 2.5 miles, on the right you will see a steel bridge that is the trial. (Note if you pass under I-81 you have gone too far).

I parked in the limited parking area and took off north, under I-81, on the trail. For the first 2.5 miles it was a old road. I would recommend a mountian bike even for this part of the trail because the road is in terrible shape and in buckling at spots. But is a good place to learn to ride a bike for the first time. while on the old road you will turn left which takes you over a bridge where you will continue on the trail. soon you will come to a place where you can take a left on the road or a right, I went right where the road soon ended. About 50 feet before the road ende there is a dirt trial that bears off to the right, take this for a nice ride in the woods. you will follow the creek for a while and soon you will come to a part where there is a steep slope in the trial, if you go up the other side you come to a dead end where there use to be a bridge. But by this time you will have seen route 443 that runs parallel to the trial. you will have to get on the road for about 300 feet and then make the first right, which will take you by a delapidated building where you will turn left to continue on the trail. on this section you will pass a junk yard and a wildlife refuge. soon you will come upon I-81, this is where I turned back to go back to my car.

Once I passed my car parked near where you cross under I-81 on the trial I crossed over the bridge that whould take you back out on to route 443. but before you hit 443 there is a section of the trial that goes to the left for a few miles. I took the trail till I hit the concrete plant that I first discovered when I tried to catch the trail at the KOA in Lickdale. At this point I turned back for my car to go home.

I was able to cover 11 miles of the trial 22 round trip.

I would recommend a mountian bike with a front shock. this trail is passible for most if you take you time.

Plus the trail is not used hard so you have it to yourself."

Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail
This trail got me hooked on cycling

"I first discovered this gem of Lebanon this past May. My sister and I took our bikes for a short ride. From that point on I have bee riding this trail at least once a week and love it.

Starting from Cornwall the trail head the tril goes on a slight uphill grade for 3 miles. From here to the Conowago trail it is either flat or a slight down hill. At mile mark 3.5 (I think) there is a chain gate that you can go around and continue to colebrook. But if you are ready for a break take thae trail on the left which will lead you to the Jigger Shop. continuing on the tril the colebrook trail head is 6.5 miles from Cornwall. there you will find a Twin Kiss where you can eat lunch. At 10.5 miles from Cornwall on the trail it turnes into The Conowango trail.

The Conowango Trail is cool it is dirt but that keeps it interesting, and the deer are neat to see as they cross in front as you ride. Also beware of the rabits they are every where I bet I see 30 rabbits during a ride. Another part that is cool about the Conowago trail is when we get a lot of rain that Creek that Parallels it is rouring, just kep you distance.

Just one request to Horse back riders. Please ride on the wood chips when you can. The horse dropping are not fun to dodge, Thank you."

Stony Valley Railroad Grade
Nice ride in the Middle of No Where

"I road this trial 8-7-05 from High Bridge to the Daulphin trail head and back. It was my first time on the trail, I parked in the parking lot on the west side of Goldmine roadm plenty of space left. I got on the trail around 12:30 and started on my way. On this half of the trail there are not many people around but once I got towards Daulphin I was passing someone every 10 min.

The only signs of human disturbance on this trail is the trail and the bridges. I heard there is a ghost town off of the trail but I did not venture out.

This was a great was to spend a sunday afternoon. Just make sure to pack a light lunch and take lots of water, you will not cross a road for 20 miles.

I clocked my round trip at 44.7 miles and was ready for the end, took 2:45 hours of ride time also I had a PPJ sandwitch for lunch and zone bars for the trail, and Gatorade in my Camelbak.

Overall great ride nice wide trail. But, if you are not in good shape start on the Lebanon end, it is a slight downhill to Daulphin, where you can have someone pick you up."