I'm going to be spending a few nights in a town near Scranton in the summer and I want to hike a mountain. I'm looking for somewhat of a challenge and I've climbed a few mountains in New Hampshire. I've been trying to do some research on good mountains but I'll Ive been able to find are mountains with a low prominence and don't rise above the treeline.
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What are some good mountains to hike within 200 miles of Scranton.?
- Thread starter J. Micro.
- Start date
(Ready? This is going to be long; but, I can't sleep. So, here we go!)
First, Scranton ain't in the Alps. Second the only mountains around Scranton are the mountainous garbage dumps that surround the city on 2 sides; and are so toxic that nobody in their right mind would want to hike there.
That leaves the strip mine pits to the northeast of the city. Some of them are pretty deep and it might feel like climbing a mountain when you try to climb out of one - Just don't breathe too much of the dust.
All is not, however, lost! About 30 miles northwest of the city is an extraordinarily beautiful state park known as Rickett's Glen. If you do nothing else while you're in town, take an opportunity to hike the, 'Waterfall Trail'.
If you'd like to see a nice lakeside community and a really big lake, head south of Scranton on Interstate 81 towards Wilkes-Barre. On the, 'back mountain' (Don't get excited cause it ain't!) you'll discover Harvey's Lake. Nice spot, good for a look when you're in the area. I'd tell you which house Hillary Clinton used to spend her summers in; but I don't know? If you read a map you'll be able to connect Harveys Lake with Rickett's Glen; they're not that far apart.
Other places you might enjoy visiting include Lake Winola (Good fishing!) and the Lackawanna State Forest. (You can really walk your butt off here; just be careful not to get lost because it's big!)
Another day trip you might enjoy taking is to travel north on Route 171 through Forest City. Turn east onto Route 390 and follow 390 to the upper reaches of the famous Delaware River. (Beautiful country and very clean water! There are public access points on both sides of the river.)
After exploring the upper Delaware, you can loop around and follow Route 191, South, down along the PA side of the river to Honesdale. When you're in town don't miss eating at the Alpine Wurst & Meat House - It's the best authentic Bavarian restaurant, anywhere, in northeastern PA. When you're done eating, follow Route 6, West, back to Scranton.
Oh, yeah, there's also the Appalachian Trail. You won't have any trouble finding it. Goes right past my house; so be sure to wave as you go by! If you like to hike through really steep mountainous terrain, go to the Delaware Water Gap, cross over into New Jersey, and climb to the top of The Gap. (Damned high, and there are snakes that you have to watch out for!)
I've been all the way up on top of Mount Tammany when Air Force and Navy jets arrived on training runs from Fort Dix and McGuire in South Jersey. At the top of The Gap, you're so high up that - no exaggeration - you'll be standing at eye level with the pilots sitting in their cockpits as the jets blast through.
Sometimes they'll dip their wings as they come in on you; other times they'll hold up one hand to salute or wave. (The roar from the afterburners is terrific! Some pilots will cut their air speed or climb well above you as they go through; others do not.)
The top of The Gap has been, for me, the experience of a lifetime that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy on several different occasions. There's an easy (and long) trail up; or you can go the direct route and climb across some pretty steep rock walls. (Don't slip or you'll be in real trouble!)
First, Scranton ain't in the Alps. Second the only mountains around Scranton are the mountainous garbage dumps that surround the city on 2 sides; and are so toxic that nobody in their right mind would want to hike there.
That leaves the strip mine pits to the northeast of the city. Some of them are pretty deep and it might feel like climbing a mountain when you try to climb out of one - Just don't breathe too much of the dust.
All is not, however, lost! About 30 miles northwest of the city is an extraordinarily beautiful state park known as Rickett's Glen. If you do nothing else while you're in town, take an opportunity to hike the, 'Waterfall Trail'.
If you'd like to see a nice lakeside community and a really big lake, head south of Scranton on Interstate 81 towards Wilkes-Barre. On the, 'back mountain' (Don't get excited cause it ain't!) you'll discover Harvey's Lake. Nice spot, good for a look when you're in the area. I'd tell you which house Hillary Clinton used to spend her summers in; but I don't know? If you read a map you'll be able to connect Harveys Lake with Rickett's Glen; they're not that far apart.
Other places you might enjoy visiting include Lake Winola (Good fishing!) and the Lackawanna State Forest. (You can really walk your butt off here; just be careful not to get lost because it's big!)
Another day trip you might enjoy taking is to travel north on Route 171 through Forest City. Turn east onto Route 390 and follow 390 to the upper reaches of the famous Delaware River. (Beautiful country and very clean water! There are public access points on both sides of the river.)
After exploring the upper Delaware, you can loop around and follow Route 191, South, down along the PA side of the river to Honesdale. When you're in town don't miss eating at the Alpine Wurst & Meat House - It's the best authentic Bavarian restaurant, anywhere, in northeastern PA. When you're done eating, follow Route 6, West, back to Scranton.
Oh, yeah, there's also the Appalachian Trail. You won't have any trouble finding it. Goes right past my house; so be sure to wave as you go by! If you like to hike through really steep mountainous terrain, go to the Delaware Water Gap, cross over into New Jersey, and climb to the top of The Gap. (Damned high, and there are snakes that you have to watch out for!)
I've been all the way up on top of Mount Tammany when Air Force and Navy jets arrived on training runs from Fort Dix and McGuire in South Jersey. At the top of The Gap, you're so high up that - no exaggeration - you'll be standing at eye level with the pilots sitting in their cockpits as the jets blast through.
Sometimes they'll dip their wings as they come in on you; other times they'll hold up one hand to salute or wave. (The roar from the afterburners is terrific! Some pilots will cut their air speed or climb well above you as they go through; others do not.)
The top of The Gap has been, for me, the experience of a lifetime that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy on several different occasions. There's an easy (and long) trail up; or you can go the direct route and climb across some pretty steep rock walls. (Don't slip or you'll be in real trouble!)