Rachel Carson Trail
The Rachel Carson Trail is a 35.7-mile (57.5 km) hiking trail in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The trail stretches along a meandering path from Harrison Hills Park to North Park, crossing through a variety of dense woodlands, open meadows, streams, steep bluffs, power line clearings, as well as skirting the boundaries of local farms and suburban areas.[1] There are no camps or shelters along the way, meaning the trail is intended for day-hiking. The trail contains hazardous terrain[2] and is steep, rising 8,151 feet and dropping 8,214 feet.[3] Few bridges have been built, causing hikers to cross waterways.[4]
| Rachel Carson Trail | |
|---|---|
 View of the Freeport Bridge from Rachel Carson Trail | |
| Length | 35.7 mi (57.5 km) |
| Location | Allegheny County, Pennsylvania |
| Established | February 1975 |
| Use | Hiking |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Moderate |
| Sights | Streams |
| Hazards | Severe Weather, Hazardous Terrain |
Because the trail passes close by the birthplace in Springdale of Rachel Carson, one of the early ecologists, the trail was dedicated in her name.[5] Some offshoot spurs from the trail offer alternative routes to Hartwood Acres Park and the Rachel Carson Homestead.
Every year since 1996, the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy hosts a "Rachel Carson Trail Challenge". Participants attempt a 34-mile long, one-day, sunrise to sunset endurance hike along the trail.[6][7] The stated challenge is simply to finish the entire stretch before sunset, or approximately 15 hours. Two shorter challenge routes of 18 miles and 8 miles are offered, as well.[8] The trail has also been part of the 100 Mile Quest, a challenge to hike 100 miles in one year.[9]
Points of interest
References
- "Rachel Carson Trail, North Park | Hiking Project". Hiking Project. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- Hayes, Liz (March 16, 2009). "Children rescued after Rachel Carson Trail fall". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- Aupperlee, Aaron (August 14, 2017). "Lyme disease and the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge: Why I wasn't going to give up". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- "Rachel Carson Trail hike offers challenge". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
- "Rachel Carson Trail". Rachelcarsontrails.org. Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- "Rachel Carson Trail Challenge — Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy". www.rachelcarsontrails.org. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- "Rachel Carson Trail Challenge marks its 20th year". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
- Ban, Charlie (May 31, 2009). "Family finds bond in hiking Rachel Carson Trail Challenge". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- "Hike 100 miles ... but take your time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
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