Pocono Pedaling

Mauch Chunk Ridge

Length/configuration : 14-mile loop.
Aerobic difficulty : Moderate.
Technical difficulty : Rocky single-track and a steep descent require good bike handling skills.
Scenery : Breathtaking views of Lehigh River Gorge and a tranquil, treelined lake.
Special comments : Check out Flagstaff Park for an interesting look at the area's past.
General location : Jim Thorpe.
Elevation change : About 450 feet.
Season : In the summer you can swim at the lake after the ride. In the fall, the spectacular foliage is mirrored on the lake. Spring can be very muddy, especially along the lake. Expect snow between November and March. Avoid riding in hunting season (late fall), except on Sundays, when hunting is not permitted.
Services : Seasonal camping is available at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Mountain bikes can be rented at Blue Mountain Sports & Wear. All other services are available in Jim Thorpe.
Hazards : Watch for cars on the paved road up to Mauch Chunk Ridge. The drop off the ridge at the power lines is very steep and rocky.
Rescue index : Good. The trail is never more than a couple of miles from paved roads. Mauch Chunk Lake Park is staffed from April through October.
Land status : The trail along Mauch Chunk Ridge is on private property; obtain permission to ride from Flagstaff Park (just past the turnoff for the single-track). Mauch Chunk Lake Park is owned by the Carbon County Parks and Recreation Commission.
Maps : Maps are available at Blue Mountain Sports & Wear in Jim Thorpe. The USGS 7.5-minute quad is Nesquehoning.

This 14-mile loop is a great example of the tremendous diversity of off-road riding Jim Thorpe offers. For example, the view of Lehigh River Gorge and Jim Thorpe from Flagstaff Park spans a whopping 65 miles. The park, containing a restaurant, a nightclub, and a view to die for, was known as the Ballroom of the Clouds during the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s and was home base for the Dorsey Brothers Band. Sound too civilized for a mountain bike ride? Relax — the next section of trail on the ride features bone-jarring single-track followed by fast double-track along a ridge and a steep descent to a huge lake.

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Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 29 Apr 2002
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.