Built in the 1850s to haul coal from Lebanon County’s secluded Stony Valley, the ruins of the abandoned Summit Siding Railroad are a hike into history.
The Summit Siding line was part of the original he Dauphin & Susquehanna Railroad built in 1852. It was later made a siding to haul coal from the now ghost town of Rausch Gap. As such, the Summit Siding Railroad and the surrounding Stony Valley is loaded with history and ruins to explore.
There are multiple trailheads from which to access the Summit Siding trail. We chose to park in the Stony Valley Rail Trail lot at 40.526239, -76.537161 and walk up Gold Mine Road to the Gold Mine Trail at 40.52660, -76.54080. There is a closer pull-off at the Gold Mine trailhead that can accommodate a small vehicle, but we didn’t want to risk blocking the gate.
We followed the Gold Mine Trail northwest for about half a mile until it intersected with the ruins of the Summit Siding Railroad. Here, the grade runs on a dramatically high and narrow causeway. Large hand cut stone piers remain where the railroad bridge crossed over Gold Mine Run at 40.52982, -76.54873.
We followed the Summit Siding grade southwest as it ran along the contour of Sharp Mountain. The grade was raised above the rocky terrain for most of the way. It was obvious why this area is called “Stony Valley”. We enjoyed the secluded feel of the valley and broken views of Second Mountain to the south through the defoliated woods.
Other than navigating around fallen trees across the grade, the hike was easy until we reached a railroad cut at 40.51112, -76.57384. Here the path became rocky and was obstructed by dead trees and brush. Being a low point with embankments on either side, the grade was a swampy drainage channel. We climbed up the embankment and navigated the extremely rocky terrain around the obstacle.
After about four miles from the trailhead, we reached Rausch Gap. At 40.49916, -76.59782 another set of massive stone piers mark where a rail bridge crossed Rausch Creek. The ghost town of Rausch Gap, a coal mining village with a population of about 1,000 at its height in the 1850s and 1860s, is located about a third of a mile downstream.
We headed upstream to pass through the gap to pick up the return trail along the northern side of Sharp Mountain. Along the way we enjoyed the cascades of the exceedingly rocky Rausch Creek.
There is a small waterfall, about eight feet high, at 40.50103, -76.59952. This area is loaded with old coal piles and other remnants of mid 19th century mining activity. You can find some stone foundations if you look carefully. As we made our way to the orange blazed trail at 40.50441, -76.60022, we passed along the edge of a swampy area where the streams and springs were heavily polluted from the mining. Orange sediment coats the stream beds and wetlands.
The return trip on the orange blazed trail was very easy. Unlike the Summit Siding Trail, it was well maintained and unobstructed by fallen trees. The trail skirted a prescribed burn area then thrilled us with a large pine stand as it passed through Gold Mine Run Gap.
After passing through the gap we crossed Gold Mine Run at what appeared to be the ruins of a dam. You can see the orange bed of the mine-polluted stream in the photo above.
Overall, the loop was 8.5 miles.
Parking is at 40.526239, -76.537161.
The Summit Siding Railroad loop is easy with the exception of the obstructed portion noted above and some of the rocky terrain along Rausch Creek. The only blazes were on the orange trail that we used for the return trip on the northern side of the Sharp Mountain Ridge. However, the trails were obvious except for the short segment along Rausch Creek. This is a great half day hike for both outdoor lovers and history buffs.
The trail loop is a suitable adventure for families, but little legs may need help climbing over the many fallen trees and rocky portions. We love the seclusion, ruggedness, and history of this special segment of Pennsylvania’s ridges and valleys region. And there are many more trails yet to explore. Stay tuned for future adventures!
You can visit these nearby adventures while you are in the area:
Opportunities at Swatara State Park
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
