Weekly Hike - Wissahickon Staircase Challenge

WEEKLY HIKE - MANAYUNK STAIRCASE CHALLENGE
(8 Miles | 900 Feet of Elevation)

DESCRIPTION
Join us for our weekly, weekday evening hike.

Normally on the last weekday hike of each month we conquer the "Manayunk Staircase Challenge" to get a great leg and cardio workout in. HOWEVER, anticipating that July and August, perhaps even June and September, may be too hot and/or humid to want to do the Manayunk Stairs, we will try this hike out in July, maybe even in June, and see how it goes. The idea came to me last year as while it's humid and warm in the Wissahickon, the dirt radiates less heat than asphalt and concrete in the summer, so this might turn out to be more manageable and less straining in the summer, while still providing a good workout. Additionally, if it happens to rain steady for part or all of the hike, the foliage will help keep us a bit dryer than walking through the neighborhoods of Manayunk and Roxborough, so I want to test this out too as alternative for really rainy spring/summer/early fall evenings.

The plan is to do several loops, each on a bit longer, going up the famous 100-stairs staircase at the extreme southern end of the Wissahickon, using side trails to wind down to the creek trail, back to the hundred stairs (103 to be exact) and then back up on four loops through the park, again each one longer then the next. We'll finish with a 5th climb up the hundred stairs and then wind a few blocks through the neighborhood before using the tunnel under the train station and what would be the first staircase on our regular staircase challenge to come back down to our starting/end point.

TERRAIN | OBSTACLES | PACE

• PLEASE NOTE - This is a both an "outdoorsy" as well as a "city" or "urban" hike. There are broken sidewalks and other places to trip and fall on flat ground and the main trail which we will use to complete our loops is often busy with walkers, runners, and cyclists in the evening. It's also outdoorsy because the upper trails are uneven, somewhat filled with tree roots, branches, and some rocks, though not as bad as the other parts of the Wissahickon.
• LENGTH: 8 Miles +/- (8 is target)
• ELEVATION: 900 Feet +/- (9000 is target)
• SPEED: 3.0 mph average
• We always wait at the top of each staircase for a minute or two for people to catch their breath before moving on.

BASIC INFO

• DAY & DATE: Tuesday July 29th, 2025
• START TIME: 7:00 PM (AND WE START ON TIME!)
• STARTING LOCATION: REGAL UA MAIN STREET
• ADDRESS: 3720 Main St, Manayunk, PA 19127
• LENGTH: 8 Miles +/- (8 is target)
• ELEVATION: 900 Feet +/- (900 is target)
• SPEED: 3 mph average
• END TIME: Target is 9:30pm.

GEAR:

• Hiking boots/shoes or trail runners. Sneakers okay too if it's been dry for a while. Don't recommend them if trails are going to be even just a little bit wet or muddy.
• Water
• Appropriate clothing - hats, rain jackets, etc. as needed
• A change of clothes and/or towel for after (at your discretion)
• Headlamps might be needed for the last 30-40 minutes but generally this portion of the Wiss isn't too rocky or root infested on the side trails.
• Snacks (as you see fit)
• Beer or other drink for before the hike.

PARKING

• We will gather in the parking lot away from the stores/shops near the Pencoyd Bridge
• Free parking
• DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN or anything visible in your car.
• I'll post a comment and/or upload a photo with map pin when I arrive

BATHROOMS/BREAKS

• As with every weeknight hike, no long breaks on this. Just a bunch of short one-to-two-minute breaks at the top of the staircase each time and when we hit an intersection to start a return loop so people can catch up and follow along
• Bathrooms available only at the starting/end point

AFTERWARDS

• If there's enough interest, we can either go out afterwards for food & drinks or maybe even go back to my house in East Falls for a firepit and some merriment.

CANCELLATIONS

• I do not cancel hikes for inclement weather. It must be dangerous conditions during the hike or dangerous travel conditions to/from for me to cancel. If I ever do need to cancel or postpone, I try to do so as early as possible.
• You may cancel at any time up to and including the start time of the hike. Cancellations without contacting me after the start of an event counts as a no-show. More than 3 no-shows will get you removed from the group. If something happens, I get it, reach out and just tell me after. I've been there - hungover, busy, etc. Just be polite, and brief, if you miss and forget to cancel.