Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail

Last updated
Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail
IntersectionCoordinates
W terminus @ T339 40°01′53″N77°18′19″W / 40.0314°N 77.3053°W / 40.0314; -77.3053 (Appalachian Trail)
Mountain Cr br @ Fuller L 40°01′51″N77°17′52″W / 40.0308°N 77.2978°W / 40.0308; -77.2978 (Appalachian Trail)
W end of RR bed
trailhead for Swamp Trail
S end of Ice House Rd
Appalachian Trail branches E 40°01′54″N77°17′25″W / 40.0317°N 77.2903°W / 40.0317; -77.2903 (Appalachian Trail)
E turn from Old RR Bed Rd (trail exits state park)
crossing: Ice Cutters Rd

The Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is a Pennsylvania rail trail at Pine Grove Furnace State Park and is almost entirely on the "Old Railroad Bed Road" between Fuller Lake and Laurel Lake. The trail is a pleasant 2.2 miles within the Pine Grove Furnace State Park located in the Michaux State Forest. The park is home to many species of wildlife and is a common attraction for locals and tourists alike. Walking, hiking, and biking are the opportunities offered by the trail year round. The biker/hiker trail shares roughly half of its trail with the Appalachian Trail and is a very popular route within the State Park.

Contents

Map of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is represented by a bicycle and can be found partially on the Appalachian Trail. Pine Grove Furnace.png
Map of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is represented by a bicycle and can be found partially on the Appalachian Trail.
Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail
Location Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, PA
Length2.2 miles
UseHiking, walking, biking
DifficultyEasy, level, handicap accessible
Surface Asphalt, cinder, crushed stone
HoursDawn to dusk, year-around
AmenitiesBenches, picnic facilities, campgrounds, beaches
BathroomsFurnace Stack Day Use Area, Fuller Lake Area, Laurel Forge Pond Day Use Area

Historical development

Furnace Stack Area located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park Furnace Stack Area.jpg
Furnace Stack Area located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Historical significance

Pine Grove Furnace State Park was home to the Pine Grove Furnace that ceased operations in 1895. Pine Grove Furnace began operations in 1764 to take advantage of the rich iron core deposits in the area. South Mountain Ironworks, as it was formerly known, along with its 17,000 acre property was sold to the State of Pennsylvania in 1914. The Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail lies on the former bed of the South Mountain Railroad where remnant of its rich history can still be found in the Park today.

Trail development

Design and construction

An Appalachian Trail sign marks the start of the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail Appalachian Trail Sign.jpg
An Appalachian Trail sign marks the start of the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail

The majority of the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is well paved and is made from asphalt and cinder. The trail begins with a paved path to the Fuller Lake Day Use Area where it then turns to crushed stone and moves on towards Laurel Forge Pond. The trail is wheelchair accessible and is completely level. Many small crevices, paths, and streams run parallel or form from the trail allowing travelers short diversions or resting areas along the trail. Following the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail split from the Appalachian Trail, the Biker/Hiker trail returns to asphalt and continues on to Laurel Forge Pond.

Trailheads

The recommended access point is the Furnace Stack Day Use Area Trailhead located off of Quarry Road. This area provides ample parking and clear access to the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker trail by way of the Appalachian Trail. Continue to follow the trail from the Furnace Stack Day Use Area through the Laurel Forge Pond Day Use Area by way of Old Railroad Bed Road and you will come to the trail end at Pine Grove Road.

For roughly one mile, the Appalachian Trail and the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail are one and the same. AT and CC Biker Hiker Trail.JPG
For roughly one mile, the Appalachian Trail and the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail are one and the same.

Trail amenities

One of the campgrounds at Pine Grove Furnace State Park right along the Biker/Hiker Trail Pine Grove Furnace State Park campground.JPG
One of the campgrounds at Pine Grove Furnace State Park right along the Biker/Hiker Trail

Ample parking, restroom facilities, and picnic areas are located in the Fuller Lake and Laurel Forge Pond day use area as well as at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park and Appalachian Trail Museum locations. All restrooms and facilities are recently renovated and extremely well maintained. The trail passes right by Fuller Lake and Laurel Forge Pond where users can swim, boat, fish, relax on the beach, or take a seat on the waterside benches. There are multiple campgrounds located near each the Lake and Pond as well as multiple picnic areas.

Community

Trail supporters

The Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is maintained by the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Pine Grove Furnace State Park lies within the Michaux State Forest, which falls under the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Among other duties, the DCNR is responsible for the 120 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests within Pennsylvania. Their mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations. In addition to state and federal funding, the following local communities and organizations have provided funding and in-kind support for the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail:

Special events

Each fall, Pine Grove Furnace State Park holds the Fall Furnace Fest at Fuller Lake located right along the Biker/Hiker trail. This event includes many family friendly activities such as races, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, bond fires, and the infamous pumpkin float.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michaux State Forest</span> State forest in southern Pennsylvania, United States

Michaux State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #1. The main offices are located in Fayetteville in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caledonia State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Caledonia State Park is a 1,125-acre (455 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Greene Township, Franklin County and Franklin Township, Adams County in southern Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Creek State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

French Creek State Park is a 7,977-acre (3,228 ha) Pennsylvania state park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek. It is located in the Hopewell Big Woods. The park is the home of two lakes: Hopewell Lake, a 68-acre (28 ha) warm water lake, and Scotts Run Lake, a 22-acre (8.9 ha) cold water lake. The state record smallmouth bass was caught in Scotts Run Lake. There are extensive forests, and almost 40 miles (64 km) of hiking and equestrian trails. The park is also friendly to mountain bikers, having some renowned technical trails. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which features a cold blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345 to the south of Birdsboro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowans Gap State Park</span> State park in Pennsylvania, United States

Cowans Gap State Park is a 1,085-acre (439 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Todd Township, Fulton County and Metal Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is largely surrounded by Buchanan State Forest in Allens Valley just off Pennsylvania Route 75 near Fort Loudon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kings Gap Environmental Education</span>

Kings Gap Environmental Education Center is a 1,454-acre (588 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Cooke, Dickinson and Penn Townships, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the land in 1973, from the C. H. Masland and Son Carpet Company. Kings Gap Environmental Education Center is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) from Pennsylvania Route 233 on South Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swatara State Park</span>

Swatara State Park is a 3,515-acre (1,422 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Bethel, Swatara and Union Townships, Lebanon and Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill Counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. 8 miles (13 km) of Swatara Creek lie within the park's boundaries, which are roughly formed by Pennsylvania Route 443 to the north and Interstate 81 to the south. The park is in a valley in the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania between Second Mountain (north) and Blue Mountain (south).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mont Alto State Park</span>

Mont Alto State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on 24 acres (9.7 ha) in Quincy Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is on Pennsylvania Route 233 one mile from Mont Alto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Grove Furnace State Park</span>

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is a protected Pennsylvania area that includes Laurel and Fuller Lakes in Cooke Township of Cumberland County. The Park accommodates various outdoor recreation activities, protects the remains of the Pine Grove Iron Works (1764), and was the site of Laurel Forge (1830), Pine Grove Park (1880s), and a brick plant (1892). The Park is 8 miles (13 km) from exit 37 of Interstate 81 on Pennsylvania Route 233.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain Creek (Yellow Breeches Creek tributary)</span>

Mountain Creek is a 20.9-mile-long (33.6 km) tributary of Yellow Breeches Creek in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomery Bell State Park</span> State park in Tennessee, United States

Montgomery Bell State Park is a Tennessee state park in Burns, Tennessee, United States. The park covers 3,782 acres (1,531 ha) and its official elevation is 758 feet (231 m). However, due to the dissected wooded terrain typical of the Nashville Basin, actual elevations range from 580 feet to 860 feet. The park is open for year-round recreation including boating, hiking, camping, fishing and golf. Montgomery Bell State Park was built during the Great Depression by members of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps as Montgomery Bell Recreational Demonstration Area. Named for iron industrialist Montgomery Bell, the park is known as the birthplace of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Toland is a small village and unincorporated community located in Cumberland County and the South Mountain Range, in south−central Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Mountain Railroad (Cumberland)</span>

The South Mountain Railroad was a southcentral Pennsylvania railway line for "connecting the Pine Grove works to the Cumberland Valley R. R." and which provided mining and passenger services via a southwest section from Hunter's Run, Pennsylvania, and a northern section from Hunter's Run to the CVRR junction northeast of Carlisle. The northern section merged with the Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad line south from Hunter's Run to the Gettysburg Battlefield in 1891 to create the Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railway line, while the branch southwest from Hunter's Run became the Hunter's Run and Slate Belt Railroad line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter's Run and Slate Belt Railroad</span>

The Hunter's Run and Slate Belt Railroad was a railway line from the Hunter's Run junction of the Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railway that ran southwestward along the south side of Mountain Creek to the Pine Grove Iron Works. The line serviced facilities for mining, for manufacturing, and for recreation. Portions of the railbed are a section of the Appalachian Trail as well as the majority of the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail and the entire "Old Railroad Bed Road" that is the southeast border of Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Grove Iron Works</span> United States historic place

The Pine Grove Iron Works was a smelting facility in southcentral Pennsylvania during the Industrial Revolution. The works is notable for remaining structures that are historical visitor attractions of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, including the furnace stack of the Pine Grove Furnace. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 13, 1977 for its significance in architecture and industry. It includes seven contributing buildings, two structures, fourteen sites, and two objects.

Fuller Lake is the body of water with 1.7 acres (0.0069 km2) of surface area in the former Pine Grove Quarry in Cooke Township, Cumberland County, south-central Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Grove Railroad Station</span>

The Pine Grove Railroad Station was the end of the line for the 1870 South Mountain Railroad, which transported materials from limestone pits and three operating ore mines for the Pine Grove Iron Works. The station had a roundhouse and, by 1872, a depot with siding "Pine Grove" was listed on the Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railroad's passenger schedule of April 21, 1884; and the SMRR railroad offices and repair shops were transferred to the 1891 Hunter's Run and Slate Belt Railroad with the station servicing the 1892 Fuller Brick and Slate Company south of the tracks Despite a 1902 forest fire in the area that destroyed buildings, both "Pine Grove Furnace" and "Pine Grove Park" were listed as 1904 HR & SB RR railway stations, and in 1912 new Reading Company track was laid to Pine Grove on "the former Hunters Run and Slate Belt Line". The Pine Grove area was sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1913, the tracks and ties have been removed, and the station area is part of the Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Laurel Lake — also known as Laurel Forge Pond — is a water body with recreation area at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. It is located in the eastern part of Cooke Township, Cumberland County.

Pine Grove Park was a South Mountain Railroad excursion park "in a grove of magnificent trees" established by Colonel Jackson C. Fuller c. 1881 It was located east of the Pine Grove Iron Works near Toland in Cumberland County, south-central Pennsylvania It was in the South Mountain Range of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LeTort Spring Run Nature Trail</span>

The Letort Spring Run Nature Trail (LSRNT) is a rail trail in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The trail stretches between Carlisle Borough's Letort Park and a trailhead approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) south at South Spring Garden Street. It parallels and twice crosses the Letort Spring Run, a limestone stream nationally recognized for its role in fly fishing heritage. The trail is an expression of the Letort Regional Authority's mission to promote appreciation of the Letort, as well as to protect the stream, greenway, and watershed from degradation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel</span> Description an historic building built in 1829 and now operated as a hostel & event venue.

The Ironmaster's Mansion is a hostel and event venue located near Gardners, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located within Pine Grove Furnace State Park and is also near the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail.