Barb Peterson Memorial Trail Orientation Hikes
Rachel Carson Trail Challenge - Saturday June 18, 2022
COVID-19 Changes
To avoid stranger carpooling, this year all hikes will meet at the start location at 8:15 AM. If you do not have a ride share, you can meet at the start and hike as far as you want then turn around and hike back to your car.
- Everyone is welcome; you do not need to be entered into the Challenge to participate.
- These hikes can be strenuous. The objective is to acclimate you to the trail and get you accustomed to following it in the direction of this year's Challenge. Leaders will be maintaining an average pace of about 2.4 miles per hour, or a little over 25 minutes per mile.
- You don't need to notify the hike leader that you plan to attend. Simply show up on time.
- Please bring at least a quart of water (more if the temperature will be warm) and some energy snacks (e.g. Powerbar).
- All hikes will meet at the hike start. It is your responsibility to arrange a car shuttle with safe friends or family members beforehand so that you can be at the hike start at 8:15 AM.
- Although dogs are wonderful, please don't bring them on these hikes.
- All hikes meet at the start at 8:15 AM. Plan for later hikes to take up to nine hours (including sign-in, announcements, car shuttling, and so forth).
- The hikes are free. A suggested donation of $3 per person may be given to the hike leader on the day of the hike.
| Saturday May 28 North Park Harmar to Emmerling Park | Leader: Donna Stolz 412-303-6102 | 10.5 miles 03:57 duration | Climbing 1581 ft Descending 1948 ft |
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| This hike begins at the Harmar Shelter in North Park, climbs up and over the park, down into Crouse Run valley and Hampton Nature Preserve, up to one of the highest points in Allegheny County, passes Hidden Pond, and finishes with some road-walking, ending in Emmerling Park. | Meet at the Harmar Shelter in North Park. Take I279 north to the McKnight Road exit and travel 6.4 miles north. Take the North Park/Ingomar Rd. exit east and turn right at the third traffic light onto Babcock Blvd., then take the next left onto Hemlock Drive, then left again into the swimming pool lot. Follow the perimeter drive all the way back and bear right. The Harmar Shelter is ahead on the left, behind the guardrail. Map | ||
| Sunday May 29 Emmerling Park to Springdale | Leader: Joe DeSantis 412-303-0847, Donna Stolz 412-303-6102 | 8.6 miles 03:25 duration | Climbing 1749 ft Descending 1810 ft |
| This hike heads up and out of Emmerling Park, up Rich Hill, Lefever Hill and Log Cabin hill, heading towards Springdale. We end at the Springdale High School parking lot. | Meet at the Emmerling Park lot. Take Route 28 to Exit #11 and follow Route 910 (Yellow Belt) west about 4 miles and turn right on Cove Run Road. Travel about 0.5 mile to park entrance on the right. Map | ||
| Saturday June 4 Springdale to Bull Creek Road | Leader: Donna Stolz 412-303-6102 | 9.4 miles 04:14 duration | Climbing 2627 ft Descending 2588 ft |
| This hike begins in Springdale and follows the picturesque bluffs along the Allegheny River, then tackles Murray hill, Crawford Run hill, and more. It ends at Bull Creek Road near Tarentum. | Meet at the Springdale High School parking lot. | ||
| Sunday June 5 Bull Creek Road to Harrison Hills Park ELC | Leader: Donna Stolz 412-303-6102 | 7.8 miles 03:11 duration | Climbing 1891 ft Descending 1580 ft |
| This hike begins at Bull Creek Road near Tarentum with a steep climb up to a nice view of the Bull Creek valley. Soon we hit Burtner Hill, one of the biggest and toughest hills on the Trail, followed by some easy and pleasant terrain along the bluffs over the Allegheny River and ending at the ELC in Harrison Hills Park. | Meet at the parking area at the intersection of Bull Creek Road and Ridge Road. Take Route 28 to Exit #14 (Tarentum). Turn north on Bull Creek Road for a very short distance, turn right on Ridge Road, then immediately turn into the parking area on the right. Map | ||