Susquehanna Warrior Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Susquehanna Warrior Trail |
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The Susquehanna Warrior Trail at its southern terminus in the Susquehanna Riverlands
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| Length | 12.21 mi (19.65 km) |
| Location | Luzerne County, Pennsylvania |
| Established | 2007 |
| Trailheads | PPL riverlands, Shickshinny, Garden Drive-In. |
| Use | Hiking, Bicycling, Running |
| Elevation gain/loss | Approximately 0 |
| Sights | Susquehanna River, Garden Drive-In |
| Surface | crushed stone |
| Right of way | railroad (former) |
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail is a fun path for biking, walking, and running in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It stretches for about 12.21 miles (19.65 km) along the west side of the Susquehanna River. This trail was first planned in 2005 and opened for everyone to enjoy in 2007. It's part of a bigger idea to create a network of trails all across Luzerne County.
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Exploring the Susquehanna Warrior Trail
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail has a southern starting point near Wapwallopen. This part of the trail runs next to U.S. Route 11 for about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) before it connects with the main trail.
The main part of the trail begins about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Shickshinny. It mostly follows along U.S. Route 11. After about 1.7 miles (2.7 km), the trail briefly goes through the streets of Shickshinny. It then crosses over Shickshinny Creek. Around the 7.9-mile (12.7 km) mark, the trail crosses Hunlock Creek. The northern end of the trail is at the Garden Drive-In, which is about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Nanticoke.
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail is quite wide, usually between 8 and 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 meters). This makes it easy for people to share the path.
History of the Trail
Long ago, Native Americans used a path in the same area where the Susquehanna Warrior Trail is now. This shows that people have been traveling along the river for a very long time!
From Old Railroad to New Trail
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail used to be an old railroad track. It was part of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western railroad. In 1995, a group called the Pennsylvania Environmental Counsel started planning to turn this old railroad bed into a trail. They received money from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Luzerne County to help with this plan.
By 1998, the plan was finished. More groups, including the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, helped fund the project. Building the trail began in 2005, and it officially opened to the public in 2007. In 2011, a big storm called Tropical Storm Lee caused some damage to the trail. But many volunteers worked hard to fix it, showing how much they cared about the trail.
Future Plans for Expansion
There are exciting plans to make the Susquehanna Warrior Trail even longer! It might be extended about 3 miles (4.8 km) further north, reaching Plymouth Township. This extension would continue to follow the old railroad path, even passing the site of the Avondale Mine Disaster.
There's also a possibility that the trail could go even further north, connecting with other trails near Wilkes-Barre. In the future, the trail might also be extended south to Berwick. If all these plans happen, the trail could become about 16 miles (26 km) long in one direction! There have also been talks about adding gates to help protect the trail from illegal dumping.
Animals and Plants
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail is a great place to see wildlife. You might spot amazing birds like eagles, egrets, and herons flying overhead or near the river. Other animals, such as otters, have also been seen enjoying the area.
The trail runs through beautiful natural areas. You can see forests along the riverbanks and open meadows. These different habitats provide homes for many kinds of plants and animals.
Activities on the Trail
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail is perfect for many outdoor activities. It's a popular spot for bicycling, running, and hiking. When winter arrives and there's snow, people even use the trail for cross-country skiing.
Since 2008, a 3.1-mile (5.0 km) footrace has been held on the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. It's a fun event for runners, and the fastest time recorded for this race is 16 minutes and 46 seconds!
