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 Reporter |
Summary: Venture Outdoors (www.ventureoutdoors.org) sponsors a number of night hikes in North Park. This particular hike is a 4 mile loop at the south end of the park beginning at Pie Traynor Fields. From there is goes down into Rocky Dell Run along a section of the Rachel Carson Trail. You pass through a shelter originally built in the 1920's when the park was new but since abandoned. The trail runs through stands of hemlock and crosses the creek several times before meeting up with the abandoned rail line and then climbing out of the valley. One enters a broad grassy field that is reclaimed from local deep mining. At this point, you leave the clear trail and cut across the field up the hill before reentering the woods and looping back to the start. Since I did this hike at night, there was not much to see but if you paid attention you could tell you were in the hemlocks by the scent of the trees. VO is planning on adding this loop to their day hike program. Trailhead: From Pittsburgh, travel North on Rt579, taking the McKnight Road exit. Turn right onto Peebles Road. Peebles bears left onto Hemlock Drive. Make the first right onto South Ridge Drive. Follow the signs for Pie Traynor Field to the right into the parking lot. There are restrooms with water at the parking lot (in addition to a soda vending machine). Travel south to the far end of the parking lot to pick up the trailhead. (Lat:40.58732 Lon:-79.99038) Trail Guides for North Park-Wildwood Mine Loop: Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: North Park Office 724-935-1971, Venture Outdoors 412-255-0564 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kevin Geiselman, who has posted 96 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Phil on 2/9/2007 I enjoy taking this hike when I want to do something close to home. I often go up the trail just before the RR bridge, (as your following the tracks) and after climbing up the hill, take a different route back to the start each time. North Park is full of paths and trails, and it is real hard to get lost! (Not to say it isn't impossible!) I enjoy the Rachel Carson section of this hike also, I like being on the edge of the hillside, looking down into the valley at the stream below. I've walked this section in both directions, many times! Be careful in the winter, it can be slippery! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Pennsylvania Hiking, Pennsylvania Trails, Pennsylvania Hikes, Allegheny County Hiking, Allegheny County Trails, Allegheny County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
