Back Mountain Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
The Back Mountain Trail, originally built by lumber and ice king Albert Lewis of Wyoming Valley 115 years ago, was acquired by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1887. Lumber, ice, leather goods and anthracite coal were milled, tanned, mined and routed to urban markets and steel mills from the Endless Mountains and Susquehanna River Basin well into the 1940s. The corridor fell into disuse in 1963.

In 1996 the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association acquired easements and recorded deeds with Luzerne County for public use of the corridor. Eventually, 14 miles will be developed from Riverfront Park on the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre to Harvey's Lake, bringing back memories and supporting a new mode of travel in the region.

Today you'll find a 4.5-mile trail that cuts through scenic woodlands, complete with a meandering creek, a pretty waterfall and open fields of flowers. Sections of the trail run close to the highway but don't compromise the feeling of getting away from it all.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Back Mountain Trail from I-81, take Exit 170 onto State Route 309 North. Take Exit 5/6 and drive north on Main Street to a four-way stop sign. Continue straight ahead onto Parry Street. There's parking at the Knights of Columbus lot. Walk up to the Gateway to the Back Mountain Trailhead.

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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Where is the northern end?
By John M in January, 2011
We hiked part way from Luzerne but it got dark and we could not finish the trail.

Where exactly does the Back Mountain Trail end at its northern end?

For a possible pick-up next time, we tried to find the northern end to see where we would be. We drove around the local area of Lower Demunds Road, where the site says the trail ends, but could not find the trail's terminus.
Brought back memories
By John M in January, 2010
I hiked this trail with family only two weeks ago. Even on a chilly day, there were others hiking too.

I hiked this route back in the 1960s with my aunt and cousins from Luzerne. That was before it was a formalized trail. We'd say we were hiking to "Wildcat Creek" (that creek/waterfall you see on the right about a mile from Luzerne).

Glad to see the trail is being kept up and has been expanded. Unfortunately, that huge new tank on the left coming from Luzerne sticks out like a sore thumb.
Warning the bridge is out!
By dirtrider in September, 2009
I just got on a bike after a long lay off (8 years) I had a accident earlier this Summer, broken Tibia Platoe and destroyed knee joint, so I chose a mountain bike and easy trails to try and get back in shape, and as therapy, just started walking 3 weeks ago.
The first trail I tried back mountain trail because it was close, nice packed surface, although from the Luzerne side it is a uphill grade.
About a mile in the bridge is out! very disappointing, I had to turn around and head back to the truck. Being that the shape my knee is in, I couldn't carry the bike down the side of the crick bed and up the other side. Anyway I just wanted to give everybody a heads up, they are working on it, there was equipment there.

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December 27, 2010
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Parry Street (Luzerne) to Franklin Street (Shavertown)
Counties: Luzerne
Trail Length: 5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6031252