Lehigh Gorge Wilderness By Diane Madl
“The Lehigh about this place forms numerous short turns between the
mountains, and affords frequent falls, as well as below the falls deep pools, which render this stream a most valuable one for mills of any kind.” – John James Audubon, Great Pine Swamp, Lehigh River Valley, 1829
What drew people like John James Audubon, Josiah White, and railroad pioneer, Asa Packer to the wilderness that is now Lehigh Gorge State Park? Perhaps the beauty, the grandeur, the river!
Lehigh Gorge State Park, known for its stunning natural beauty, is enjoyed by upwards of 400,000 visitors annually. This linear park, added to the Pennsylvania State Park system in the 1970’s, follows the Lehigh River just south of the Francis E. Walter Dam, roughly 30 miles to the famous tourist town of Jim Thorpe.
The park, with its Class II and III rapids whitewater boating opportunities, excellent fishing, and beautiful rail trail, was once a bustling transportation thoroughfare.
Visitors today may be unaware they are recreating among the shadows of indigenous Lenape, early land surveyors, loggers, lumber mill and tannery workers, canal builders and boatmen, lock tenders, railroader workers, brick makers, and even early tourists.
The hustle and bustle once commonplace along the river has been replaced by the sounds of the gurgling river, the wind through the trees, songbirds and the occasional sound of excited rafters, bicyclists, and daily trains.
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Related Article:
-- Oct. 20 Take Five Fridays With Pam Now Available, PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]
[Posted: October 20, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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