Lehigh Gorge Bald Mountain Loop (easy/moderate)

Between White Haven and Jim Thorpe the Lehigh River cuts a deep channel between the Pocono Plateau and the Ridge and Valley Appalachians of the anthracite fields. 1000ft deep and marked by deep bends covered in forest and rhododendron thickets, the Lehigh Gorge is the centerpiece of a 4500 acre state park of the same name. Adjacent to even more state owned game lands, the gorge travels through a brilliantly wild and varied terrain of the PA hinterland. Across the park one can find remains of the regions industrial past including canals, railroads, mines and ghost towns lost in the hollows above the river.

We will be hiking in towards the gorge rim along the back of Bald Mountain, about midway down the river between White Haven and Jim Thorpe. This is an easy to moderate hike depending on your fitness level. This means there will be some ups and downs and rough trail conditions. Expect to hike around 9 miles to the gorge rim and back. Wear appropriate footwear and bring your own water and some extra calories for the day.

We will start from the Lehigh Gorge State Park parking area off S Lehigh Gorge Dr. immediately opposite the Weatherly Country Inn. We set off at 9am. Make sure you are on time to get ready to start at 9am. Once we start hiking I will not be checking my phone for anyone arriving late.

AllTrails map of the route. Note this is not the exact route we will follow.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/pennsylvania/bald-mountain-vista-trail

Hike will cancel from severe weather.