ak08820

I came across a flyer with info on the Lehigh River Gorge trail.
https://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...ge.aspx#biking
There was mention of downhill biking and shuttle, etc., by a commercial operator.
Is a shuttle necessary? Is it so steep to make the trip back from South to North not possible fro rec. bikers?

Where are the best public parking areas for riding the trail (Hickory Run park?)and what would be the best plan for a day ride, the day starting at around noon due to the distance of the trail from me (in CNJ)?

Thanks

Whiteknight

Get the pdf map files from the park web site. My wife and I do the Lehigh Gorge Trail several times a year.

The trail head at White Haven has a very large parking lot.
We use the Rockport Access area. It is about 8 to 9 miles from Rockport up to White Haven. From Rockport down into Glen Onoka is about 10 miles. The trail through the gorge is wide. Paved with stone dust. Just a low steady climb in grade up to White Haven. If you do Rockport down towards Glen Onoka it is a downhill run. But then the return to Rockport is a steady uphill run. The section a few miles above and below Rockport is the most scenic.

The downhill biking refers to what they call the Switchback. An old gravity railrod that carried loaded coal cars from the top of the ridge above Jim Thorpe down into Jim Thorpe.

On the top of the ridge above Jim Thorpe are miles of dirt mountain bike trails.

At least two outfitters rent bikes and run shuttle services. You can rent their bikes or use you own and simply pay the shuttle fee.

One outfitter will rent you a bike at White Haven and later pick you up at Rockport or Glen Onoka.

When you go on the trail below Rockport there is a section of the trail that runs aside an active rail line. The railroad uses the trail for their track maintenance trucks. Which does bad things to the stone dust trail.

They recently redecked the old railroad bridge from Glen Onoka across the river and into Jim Thorpe. But the Jim Thorpe end was blocked off this past summer as the landowner at that end of the bridge refused to allow the trail over his property. Lovely view off the bridge but it was still a dead end this past summer.

White Haven should be no big deal from New York. Right off I 80. A nice ride down to Rockport and back up to White Haven. Several nice places to snack or dine in White Haven right off the end of the trail. From Rockport down to Jim Thorpe there is nothing until you get into Jim Thorpe.

They do not plow snow off the trail in the gorge. They allow cross country skiing and snowmobiles in the winter when there is snow. This packs the snow to the point where wide tire bikes are able to use the trail.

X-LinkedRider

It's steep enough to climb. I have climbed there. If you are a good hiker (Dont midn carrying your bike 1/3 of the way) then you should be ok. Shuttle makes it easier for downhilling though.

Papa Tom

I tried to ride this trail twice in the 90's but was rained out both times. The shuttle company I registered with was called Pocono Whitewater. For less than twenty bucks, they shuttle you to the top of the trail and pick you up at the bottom.

In the mid 90's, this area was just starting to build up. There were a few motels around and lots of people in flannel shirts hanging out in karaoke bars. From what I hear, it's a bit more populated now.

Pocono Whitewater has always advertised the Lehigh River Gorge Trail as a "gentle downhill" ride all the way. Some people have told me that's not exactly accurate, but that it's still an easy ride.

Bob N.

I hate to resurrect an old thread.....but I'm gonna.

Did you ever find out the percent grade of this trail?

Bezalel

Here is the elevation chart from when I rode it. I didn't make it all the way to White Haven because I wanted to get back to my car before dark.

njkayaker

Just to be clear, the path is pretty flat. If you don't mind returning (and have the time), you don't need a shuttle.

indyfabz

The grade of the Lehigh Gorge Trail is a non-issue unless you are really in bad shape. If you want to do one way only, Blue Moutain Sports or whatever they are called has a shuttle service from Jim Thorpe (across from the old CNJ train station). They will drop you off at Rockport or White Haven. At the latter there are places to pick up food and drink for a pinic lunch. You then ride downhill back to Jim Thorpe. The trail will end at the Glen Onoko access area, a mile or two from the center of Jim Thorpe. However, the old CNJ railroad bridge is back in service for both trains and bikes. Follow the access road from the end of the trail. The bridge will be on your right. Cross and continue down stream. You will end up right in the municipal parking lot in Jim Thorpe. But before you go, take the relatively short hike up to the falls at Glen Onoko.

Neil_B

How is the hike? The hiking books I have consider it a difficult and potentially dangerous trip.

indyfabz

I wouldn't consider it dangerous at all unless you get to the upper levels of the falls, get too close to the edge, which there is no reason to do, and fall. I have hiked it over and over again. I routinely see all sorts of people of all sorts of abilities make the trip, including children. It does have its steep sections though, especially after you get to the bottom of the lower falls.

The trail is poorly blazed. The hardest part is following it. Many people end up improvising by just following the water on whichever side is easiest for them. If the water is low (likely this time of year) you can cross back and forth to make the trip easier.

Neil_B

It sounds like Pole Steeple, which is also described as a difficult trail, but many people get up it.

X-LinkedRider

The Hiking Book you have is most likely referring to the Hiking loop on the Glen Onoko side of that State Park (Lehigh Gorge) This is an incredible hike which only take 3-4 hours if you don't like to stop and hang out too long. You cannot ride a bike throughout this trail however. (Great place to check out though)

The Cycling trails are on the Lehigh Gorge side which don't really host any quality hiking trails besides some very short scrambles to a climbing face or two. Just my opinion.