South Shore Trail

South Shore Trail is a cross-country skiing route in Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Pennsylvania, managed by State Park and Recreation. The trail is about a mile long, with a total climb of about 20 feet, and it makes a short out-and-back from the low point at 1,194 feet to the high point at 1,227 feet. Winter is the natural season for skiing here. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mercer, PA, put January highs around 35°F with lows near 16°F, while February runs a little warmer at about 38°F. The station sits at nearly the same elevation as the trail, so these figures are a fair guide to conditions on the route. The trail is short and gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 7%. It pairs easily with other outings in the park. The park's own facilities and the surrounding state park network offer plenty to round out a day.