Celebrating 50 Years of the Rachel Carson Trail
In 1971, volunteers from the Pittsburgh chapter of American Youth Hostels began blazing a new trail in the northeast suburbs of Allegheny County. Over the next four years, they scouted a route that included portions of the Baker Trail, which had connected Camp Guyasuta near the Highland Park bridge to Harrison Hills Park, that had been disrupted by development.
The objective was to establish a trail between Harrison Hills Park and North Park, passing through municipal parks along the way. Outside of the parks, they obtained consent from private landowners, both corporate and individual. In some areas, the only viable route was along utility rights-of-way. These electric and gas corridors usually take the most direct route across valleys, which meant the trail did too.
They named this new trail, blazed yellow just like the Baker Trail, after Rachel Carson, "because the trail passes close by the birthplace of Rachel Carson, in Springdale, and because of the interest of AYH members in our environment, it was considered appropriate to name the trail after one of our early ecologists."
AYH volunteers like Cliff & Marilyn Ham, Joe Levine, and Bruce Schenker were instrumental in the trail's creation. They spent countless hours scouting routes, talking with landowners and, with the help of many others, clearing and blazing the new path. We are indebted to them for their vision and perseverance.
Without constant maintenance, the trail would be reclaimed by nature, and without adaptation, the trail would be lost to development. The construction of Route 28 led to the AYH suspending publication of the trail guidebook in April 1986 because "several portions of the trail are no longer suitable for hiking."
A second generation of volunteers, including Blanche Asherman and Jim Ritchie, took the initiative to restore and reconnect the trail. Jim spent many hours just finding the trail, and even more rerouting, clearing, and reblazing it.
Along with Leo Stember, Jim's determination culminated in the creation and staging of the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge in 1996. The purpose was to raise funds for trail maintenance supplies, to promote the trail so that more people would hike it and wear in the pathway, and to recruit volunteers to help maintain it.
The Challenge succeeded in doing all of this and more, by leaps and bounds. It has grown to be a hugely popular event that has allowed the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy (which took over from the AYH as caretaker in 2004) to protect the trail through land acquisition. Today, the RCTC owns over 320 acres covering about two linear miles.
It also attracted more volunteers dedicated to maintaining and improving it, including Don Erdeljac, Barb Peterson, Kate Fissell, and Steve Mentzer.
The third generation of volunteers is just as determined to make the trail better than ever. Mark Eyerman, Lloyd Clarke, Joe & Diane Kostka, Ben Brucker, Levi Wilson, Doug MacPhail, Bob Reiland, and many more embody the unapologetic ruggedness and persistence of the Rachel Carson Trail.
As the Rachel Carson Trail turns 50, it stands as a testament to the commitment of its volunteers. Its varigated path, steep inclines & declines, and hilltop views continue to test and inspire hikers. The trail is more than a space for the physical, it's a space for the spirit and a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting our natural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
To celebrate the 50th birthday, we'll be hosting a hike on Sunday, March 9, 2025 from North Park to Hartwood Acres. On this date, exactly 50 years prior, the first hike was held on the completed Rachel Carson Trail. Come and celebrate with us!