ReftonsRed
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pennsylvania
I was up here the other day near the stripmine site and "whaleback" and saw plenty of quad and dirtbike action but no 4x4's on the trails anybody know if its a go?
Ashland PA
- Thread starter ReftonsRed
- Start date
vetteboy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- morganville, nj
Some of it, with restrictions. You can be in most of the area around the pole line and to the east of Big Mine Run Rd, only if you have a permit from Reading Anthracite Company, and your point of entry does not cross any private property other than RAC land.
In this picture, SR4029 is Big Mine Run, and any of the yellow area surrounding it falls under the two restrictions I mentioned before. The narrow strip to the east of the road is the powerline right-of-way, which you're not supposed to be on unless the power company has given permission to cross it. The green line is the northern border of Schulkyll county, and beyond that and upwards towards Centralia is a different land holding group that I can't vouch for.
If you're interested in wheeling there legally, as well as on 20,000+ acres throughout Schulkyll county, check out the Reading Anthracite access permit.
http://www.readinganthracite.com/articles/access.pdf
Without that though, you're not supposed to be there. Keep in mind that any of us that do have the permit also have certain...incentives to report any unauthorized vehicles that are found back there.
In this picture, SR4029 is Big Mine Run, and any of the yellow area surrounding it falls under the two restrictions I mentioned before. The narrow strip to the east of the road is the powerline right-of-way, which you're not supposed to be on unless the power company has given permission to cross it. The green line is the northern border of Schulkyll county, and beyond that and upwards towards Centralia is a different land holding group that I can't vouch for.
If you're interested in wheeling there legally, as well as on 20,000+ acres throughout Schulkyll county, check out the Reading Anthracite access permit.
http://www.readinganthracite.com/articles/access.pdf
Without that though, you're not supposed to be there. Keep in mind that any of us that do have the permit also have certain...incentives to report any unauthorized vehicles that are found back there.
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ReftonsRed
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pennsylvania
ok thanks ill look into that
ReftonsRed
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pennsylvania
When I was up I hiked it and there looked to be miles of trails, some mud here and there, and some rocks here and there. Any one that has wheeled here please add on...
Captain Ruggy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pennsylvania
There are tons of trails in the area. The whaleback is in coal township, not ashland. Theres a lot of mud and a lot of tight trails and hillclimbs. Some rocks but you have to look for them.
You do need a permit to legally access the land, but there are also several poker runs every year on this land that you don't need a permit for. They are held by local fire companies and the proceeds go to them. The last one I went on there were over 80 entrants. I would assume that the fire companies would have to get permission to do these, so I would think they would be legal. they are also a good way to learn some of the trails. I would suggest maybe going on one of these or some local clubs have trail rides in the area to see if you think it would be worth it to get a permit.
About the only thing I don't like about wheeling in these lands, is all the trash people like to throw around. There are some local groups that go out and clean it up the best they can, but then they have to pay to dispose of everyone elses trash. And they can't do it.
FWIW, the permit is cheap, considering what you get in return. And is worth every penny.
You do need a permit to legally access the land, but there are also several poker runs every year on this land that you don't need a permit for. They are held by local fire companies and the proceeds go to them. The last one I went on there were over 80 entrants. I would assume that the fire companies would have to get permission to do these, so I would think they would be legal. they are also a good way to learn some of the trails. I would suggest maybe going on one of these or some local clubs have trail rides in the area to see if you think it would be worth it to get a permit.
About the only thing I don't like about wheeling in these lands, is all the trash people like to throw around. There are some local groups that go out and clean it up the best they can, but then they have to pay to dispose of everyone elses trash. And they can't do it.
FWIW, the permit is cheap, considering what you get in return. And is worth every penny.
