Join us on this exciting exploration of Sharp Mountain in the striated mountains of PA, a region that is full of hidden history and wilderness treasures.
Our adventure on Sharp Mountain is located on the southern edge of the striated mountains region of Pennsylvania. This amazing geologic feature consisting of parallel folds of steep mountains and interspersed valleys. It is part of the greater the Appalachian Mountains and forms a natural wilderness barrier. As such it and figures prominently in the history and development of our nation in terms of transportation, strategic value, and natural resources. Today this region is a hot spot for outdoor adventure on account of its seclusion and hidden historic relics.
Our hike is on the southwestern edge of Pennsylvania’s anthracite region, so we expected to find some open pit mines. We heard reports of fossils, but other than that we didn’t know what to expect. We parked at the spacious lot off of Gold Mine Road at 40.54469, -76.53556 near the famous Boxcar Rocks. We began by heading northeast on an old mining dirt road.
The hike was very easy as the dirt road was largely level and ran parallel to the rocky ridge of Sharp Mountain. After about 1.8 miles, we encountered small open pit mines like the one pictured above. There was little to no snow on the ground in the surrounding region until we entered the mountains. The unexpected snow and ice hampered our mine exploration efforts, but didn’t thwart them.
We found a promising sedimentary boulder clear of snow. The boulder immediately yielded plant fossils after easily peeling off a layer. The reports of fossils on Sharp Mountain are confirmed. We found the fossils pictured here at 40.56196, -76.49743. How much more is waiting to be discovered once the snow melts?
The mines grew in depth and width as we traveled. The slopes of the mines were quite slippery due to the ice and snow, so we will plan exploration down in the mines for a future trip. At approximately 40.56368, -76.49521 there appeared to be some voids under the rock at the bottom of the mines. Could they be caves? Or excavations under the rocks?
There is scenic window, shown above, between trees and the dump mounds opposite the presumptive caves. A little further down the trail, we encountered massive icicles in the form of a frozen waterfall.
After approximately 3.5 miles, the old road curves around this portion of Sharp Mountain at a gap through which the West Branch of Fishing Creek Flows. We turned the corner to the south side at the top of Sharp Mountain. At the end of a narrow trough cut against the rock we found this deep pit.
From the pit we followed the grade down toward the storied Stony Valley at the southern foot of Sharp Mountain. However, allured by another pit mine, we diverged from the main trail and followed another grade to the edge of the gap. After the pit mine, we followed deer tracks down the gap on what at first appeared to be an old grade. However, the grade soon fizzled out, so we made our way down the slope of Sharp Mountain off trail. This section was confusing on account of the specters of multiple grades and other disturbed areas under the snow. We made our way towards what appeared to be grades in the distance, but like mirages they eluded us as we approached.
We gingerly worked our way down the snowy slope and encountered a trail paralleling the West Branch of Fishing Creek in Stony Valley. The spring pictured above, located about 150 feet off the trail just caught our eye. What a find! We might not have seen it had there been foliage on the trees. So you can easily find it, the spring is at 40.56842, -76.47682.
Intending to pass through the gap and explore Sharp Mountain to the northeast, we followed the trail through a wet crossing of the West Branch of Fishing Creek. What appear to be culvert pipes indicate that a road once crossed the creek here. We followed the trail on a slight incline back on the north side of Sharp Mountain to our turnaround point at 40.59111, -76.45517, where the trail runs up against private property. Our efforts were rewarded with the mountain view below.
We backtracked for about 0.8 miles then made the return trip via another trail which looped back toward the Goldmine Rd. trailhead. As the trail crossed the valley to return to the dirt road on Sharp Mountain, we noticed a pine stand near the top of the mountain, visible in the photo below.
Zoom in and you can make out a silhouette of the spectacular Boxcar Rocks to above the pine stand to the left.
Overall, the adventure was 11.7 miles.
Parking is at 40.54588, -76.53576.
We didn’t know what to expect on this ramble of Sharp Mountain, but the adventure did not disappoint. From about mile 1.8 to 3.6 there were continual open pit mines enticing exploration. And we are pleased to report that there are indeed fossils on Sharp Mountain. Except for the portion where we descended Sharp Mountain to Stony Valley, the trail consists primarily of very easy dirt road, making this a suitable spot for a long walk. Be aware though, there is a wet crossing at the West Branch of Fishing Creek. There is still much more to see in the veritable playground of secluded striated mountains in this area, so we plan on returning for further adventures.
While you are in the area, you can’t miss one of the most extraordinary rock formations in Pennsylvania: Boxcar Rocks.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
