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Looking to take a trip to Jim Thorpe, whose been there? (8 posts)
|  Looking to take a trip to Jim Thorpe, whose been there? | sebring
Feb 21, 2003 9:51 AM | | I plan on taking a camping trip to do some good mountain biking in Jim Thorpe, PA. I am looking for trails to go to, places to see, and other things to do while up there. I figure do a long day of hard riding, and make the next day a recovery day with some light riding or other activities. I have looked at some other things to do including white water rafting, and the really easy trails they have there. I am interested to hear what others have done there and what they recommend. Thanks all. |
| I go every year...... | jdcamb
Feb 21, 2003 12:37 PM | | With my Brother for the Mountain Bike Festival. I always have a good time. It is the one place I can take my friends that don't ride much "real mountain biking". We usually stay on Broad Mountain and ride the switchback trail to the top of the ridge and fool around on all the trails that zigzag along the ridge. From the overlook we usually somehow end up in Summit Hill via a couple of strip mines. I usually hook up with someone to take me over to the mountain across the lake and explore the rock gardens there I think the trail is called "Coal Cracker". It also ends up in Summit Hill or screams down some powerlines to the lake. I have done American Standard a bunch of times but can't get my Brother to go there lately. Mauch Chunk Lake is kind of small and is usually pretty placid for canoeing, fun for the family though. I don't fish but plenty of folks do and say it OK. In town we usually go to the Sunrise Diner for Pierogis and breakfast. I have heard the resturant at the American Hotel is good too. You can hike there and white water raft on the Lehigh river. All in all you will have a good trip. I suggest you buy a trail map I am sure I am missing a lot of stuff. Just go you will have fun......jdcamb |
| Get yourself................ | SoulRider
Feb 21, 2003 12:53 PM | | a trail map from either one of the bike shops in town and go for it. Many trails to get to by parking at the train station lot. You can ride the trail next to the rr tracks for quite some time I've heard and that's flat with pea size gravel. Or, head to American Standard if you like lots of rocks. So many trails to choose from that you may want to look into hiring somebody to show you around. I hear the rafting is good there but never have done it personally. Here's the view atop Buzzard's overlook if I remember correctly. |
| aren't many of the trails on Pa.Gamelands?............ | Dave B.
Feb 21, 2003 1:37 PM | | I know the trails on Pa.Gamelands have been declared off limits to mtn.bikes. Not sure how it affects the trails around Jim Thorpe, or how/if they are enforcing it, but might be worth checking out, as I believe many are Pa.State Gamelands. |
| Do the shuttle thing... | Stine
Feb 21, 2003 1:39 PM | | but wear armour.
;)
I have lots of pics for you to look at of the '99 MTBR Jim Thorpe Gathering here:
http://members.tripod.com/~StineMTB/THORPE.html
Have fun. |
| almost homesick | shane
Feb 21, 2003 2:26 PM | | Boy, everybodies pictures sure do bring back memories, happy and sad (I ditched work to go riding there on the day Jerry died - but I digress). Me and my buddies used to go to JT a lot when I lived in PA. There's tons of good riding there. Get a map and have a blast.
I don't know about that gamelands issue. I read somewhere about them being off limits but my friends tell me you can still ride in a lot of them - just can't build new trails. It would be worth checking on though.
I forget many of the names and directions but I do have picks for 2 not-to-be missed rides (of course a lot could've changed in the past 5 years). The one is the Deer Path which I think is on Broad Mtn. It used to be tricky to find but is really fun once you do. Classic PA tight, rocky, rootie singletrack. Be sure to keep riding it after the first section exits the woods, crosses under the powerline and re-enters the woods on the other side. Maybe a mile or 2 after that point the real fun starts! Watch for rattlesnakes and other wildlife. I don't know the name of the other ride but the trail starts by a graveyard (I think) up the road and on the opposite side of Mauch Chunk Lake Park. This ride has section that follows the edge of a big cliff and is really fun.
For your off days I'm not sure what to do. The rail trail by the river is pretty nice and goes the whole way to White Haven. Rafting is fun especially if they let water out of the dam. You could go to Hickory Run State Park and hike in the boulder fields. I always wanted to visit the Assa Packer Mansion but never did. Have fun!!! |
| thorpe, gamelands and places to ride | transue
Feb 21, 2003 3:58 PM | | It is a fact the game lands have severely limited riding on the broad mtn. Below is the news release and link to check it out. But, if you know thorpe there is many other places to ride. Ask tom at blue mtn for the updated map or find the griz guide. It's definitely worth coming, it's the switzerland of the east.
Joe
PA IMBA rep
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PGC/newsroom/2003/nr007-03.htm
GAME COMMISSION POSTS DESIGNATED ROUTES ON WEBSITE
With new State Game Lands use regulations taking effect on Feb. 1, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has posted on its website a listing of more than 1,000 miles of designated routes for horseback and mountain bike riders seeking to use State Game Lands. To view the list of designated routes, go to the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "State Game Lands" on the right column of the home page, and then select "Designated Routes" under the region of interest. The routes are listed by State Game Lands.
The designated routes were part of a package of revised State Game Lands use regulations given final approval by the Board of Game Commissioners in April of 2002, following more than a year of public comment and discussion.
"As more and more people seek to enjoy the great outdoors, State Game Lands were coming under increased recreational pressure," said Greg Grabowicz, Game Commission Bureau of Land Management director. "Since our regulations were silent on certain recreational activities, such as horseback riding or mountain bike riding, we could not properly direct or manage this increased use of State Game Lands. In many cases, this unrestricted use of State Game Lands was causing unintended degradation or destruction of wildlife habitats, disruption of nesting or wintering wildlife populations, and interference with lawful hunting seasons.
"The new regulations provide common-sense guidelines so that alternative uses of State Game Lands may continue in a manner that does not conflict with our legislatively-mandated mission to protect and manage Pennsylvania's wild birds and mammals, and to develop, conserve and preserve critical wildlife habitats."
Under the new regulations, anyone who rides a non-motorized vehicle, conveyance or animal on State Game Lands must use a designated route. Except on Sundays, such riding activities will not be permitted from the last Saturday in September to the third Saturday in January, or before 1 p.m. from the second Saturday in April to the last Saturday in May. This does not apply to anyone lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing on State Game Lands. Public roads crossing State Game Lands will be available year round.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2003, mountain bike and horseback riders must use designated routes marked with signs like this.
Photo Editor's Download
The designated routes have already been posted by Land Managers in each of the six regions, except in areas where snow and extreme weather have delayed access. The routes are posted with signs that are green triangles with depictions of a mountain bike and horseback rider. Similar orange signs with the traditional circle and slash are posted on areas closed to riding and open to only foot travel. A listing of the new regulations currently is being posted at all State Game Land's parking lots.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2003, areas marked with signs like this are for foot travel only
Photo Editor's Download
In addition to the more than 1,000 miles of designated routes, Grabowicz noted there are more than 200 miles of public roads crossing State Game Lands that will remain open year-round for horseback and mountain bike riding.
Under the regulations taking effect on Feb. 1:
No one may remove any manmade or natural object, except wildlife and fish lawfully taken during the open season, from State Game Lands. Objects that may not be removed include -- but are not limited to -- animals, rocks, minerals, sand and historical or archaeological artifacts. This regulation does not pertain to shed antlers from elk or deer;
As long as the fire index rating maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is acceptable, anyone who builds a fire for warming or cooking purposes on State Game Lands must prevent the spread of the fire, attend to the fire at all
times and completely extinguish the fire before leaving the site. A person causing a
wildfire, in addition to possible criminal penalty and fines, is liable for all damages and
costs of extinguishing the fire;
The Game Commission will designate routes for riding non-motorized vehicles,
conveyances or animals according to compatibility with the management plan for each
State Game Lands. The public also may request the agency to consider other route
designations;
No one may use State Game Lands for personal, organization or commercial purposes other than the intended uses. Commercial activities include any activity in which a person directly or indirectly accepts consideration or value as compensation for the provision of goods or services, including transportation. This also includes paid guide services, except elk or bobcat guides with permits from the Game Commission;
No one may feed wildlife or put out any food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals intended for wildlife;
No one may release any domestic animals, captive-bred or captive-raised game or wildlife on State Game Lands;
No one may consume, possess or transport alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on State Game Lands;
No one may operate a motor vehicle on State Game Lands in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others or property, in excess of speed limits, or 25 miles per hour in areas where no limit is posted;
No one may target shoot with firearms, bows and arrows, or devices capable of launching projectiles in a manner that could cause injury to persons or property or in areas posted closed to such activities. Also, except on ranges, no one shall discharge any firearm, bow and arrow, or device capable of launching projectiles on State Game Lands that is not a lawful device to hunt game and wildlife; and
No one may participate in an organized activity or event involving more than 10 persons, except for hunting or trapping. This would not apply to those activities that are not in conflict with the intended uses or purposes of State Game Lands or those activities that do not pose a potential environmental or safety problem. Also, those not engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing on State Game Lands from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, inclusive, except for Sundays, must wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on head, chest or back combined, or, in lieu thereof, a hat.
The Game Commission's State Game Lands Use Ad Hoc Advisory Committee developed the initial recommendations. Comprised of nine representatives of different user groups, the year-long public input process included issuing periodic news releases and posting updates on the agency's website, as well as three mailings to a large number of potentially affected interest groups and nine open houses around the Commonwealth
# # #
Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via email, please send a note to pgcnews@state.pa.us with your name, address and telephone number. Also, please provide the name of the organization you represent so we can determine which mailing list to place you in.
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| hey Transue, ever work for Sam Foote? | club
Feb 22, 2003 7:15 AM | | At Chain Bike circa '73? I worked there with a fellow with your name and was wondering if it might be you. |
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