Cabin Ridge and the Switchback Railroad, Jim Thorpe (moderate/difficult)

It's Christmas in the Coalfields. Join the trail wanderers on an 11 mile trek up and down the Mount Pisgah switchback railroad. Built in 1827 to transport coal from the mines near Summit Hill the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway hauled coal to be loaded onto canal barges at Jim Thorpe (then Mauch Chunk). Cars were hauled by mule and starting in the 1840s, by steam power pulling cables. When the switchback railway became obsolescent for hauling coal it briefly served as a tourist attraction moving passengers in the 1870s. Today all that remains are ruins and the switchback grades climbing the sides of Mount Pisgah.

This will be a reverse lollipop hike starting at Mauch Chunk Lake, gaining elevation very gradually along the switchback railway and returning along Cabin Ridge. Owing to the grade of the gravity railroad the ascent will be long, but never more than a grade of a few percent. There will be short sections with more strenuous climbs. Altogether we will hike around 11 miles and gain around 1000 ft in elevation. This will be a moderate to difficult hike depending on fitness levels. Make sure you're comfortable with the distance and terrain. As always, bring appropriate equipment, footwear and ample water and extra calories. We will break at the north overlook at the point of Mount Pisgah.

Parking will be at Mauch Chunk Lake in front of the Parks and Rec office (625 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229). We will start at 9am. Please make sure you are on time as I will not be able to check my phone for anyone arriving late once we start.

Hike will cancel with bad enough weather.