Fall/Winter 2009

For a mountain biker like yourself, if it isn’t a challenge, it isn’t fun. So we’re here to report that less than one mile into the singletrack trail system at Moosic Mountain in northeastern Pennsylvania, you’re bound to wonder what you were thinking.

Opened last fall, this rugged and rocky path delivers eight miles of winding route through an unlikely place for a “bikers welcome” sign — a 1,500-acre nature preserve. The 2,200-foot protected ridge is owned by The Nature Conservancy, which recognized its natural attributes. The area houses one of the largest intact ridge-top heath barren communities left in North America and is home to at least 18 rare plant and animal species. TNC stepped in to save the land from becoming an industrial park several years ago.

Normally, says Randy Edwards, a Conservancy spokesperson, the organization doesn’t build bike trails out of concern that mountain bikes could erode land. But the ridge tops on Moosic Mountain are bedrock; resilient enough for cyclists to pedal over them without leaving a mark. And, says Edwards, “It’s a barrens, which means there’s not a lot of fragile top soil, and the plants there actually respond well to disturbance, so you don’t have to coddle them.” 

Local biking clubs helped to design and build the trails, adding enough technical portions that consensus says this isn’t the best spot for beginners. But don’t let that deter you from making the trip. The mountain top’s mostly low-lying vegetation means unobstructed year-round views of the Lackawanna Valley, and walkers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the natural wonders here in every season — just be sure to watch out for wildlife on two wheels.

- State - Pennsylvania

- Type - Outdoor Adventures

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