Pennsylvania · Mountain biking

Rachel Carson Trail

0.3 mi
round trip
74 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Rachel Carson Trail is a short mountain biking ride in Harrison Hills Park in Pennsylvania, about a third of a mile from the park's center. It's an out-and-back route of roughly 0.6 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 74 feet, making it an easy option for riders looking to add a quick leg to a longer outing in the park. The trail is flat and steady, with a small climb of about 16 feet one way and a steepest stretch of about 4% grade around the 0.15-mile mark. The high point reaches about 1,172 feet, and the route returns to about 1,135 feet at the low point. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall stand out. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 74°F in May and 78°F in September. That station sits about 400 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run slightly cooler. Spicebush Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Pond Loop and Wetlands Trail are each about 0.2 mile off. Hikers can reach Creekside Trail at a similar distance.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Rachel Carson Trail

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 20°

      15 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 21°

      13 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 27°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      67° / 38°

      14 wet

    5. May

      74° / 49°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 60°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 54°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 43°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      52° / 33°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 26°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Schenley Lock 5, PA, 2.8 mi away at 783 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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