Flagstaff hiking-biking trail proposed with 86 houses
Jim Thorpe developer asks for OK to run path through old haul road.
By Sarah Fulton | Special to The Morning Call
September 18, 2007
A Jim Thorpe land developer wants to install a public hiking and biking trail along Flagstaff Mountain where he proposes building 86 homes.
Jacob Arner, developer of Canyon Rim Estates, told Jim Thorpe council last week he would like to run a trail parallel to the nearly three-mile-long Flagstaff Mountain Road so outdoor enthusiasts can safely traverse the mountain.
Council plans to discuss the matter further at a special public meeting tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Memorial Hall.
Flagstaff Mountain Road is 2.7 miles long and connects Lentz Trail -- the western end of Broadway -- in Jim Thorpe to Beaver Run Drive in Mahoning Township. The road ends at the summit of Flagstaff Mountain, 1,000 feet above sea level. The spot is popular with visitors seeking the famous ''50-mile view.''
Arner's wooded and mountainous development is planned along the same road.
''Mountain biking is a very important part of our tourism here,'' Arner told council members Thursday. ''I'm simply trying to add to it. It's a plus for the community.''
Arner proposes using a part of the borough-owned haul road for the trail. The haul road is a former dirt-based route, over which mules of the 19th century pulled wagonloads of coal, Arner said. The ''road'' was never opened for vehicular traffic, but is intact and is parallel to Flagstaff Mountain Road.
A new trail, funded by Arner and built within his development, would be carved out in the woods to connect to the haul road.
Arner asked council to grant him permission to connect the trail to the borough's old haul road.
''There would be minimal construction that would have to take place,'' he said.
Borough engineer Angelika Forndran said Arner would have to get easements from the future lot owners of his development to run a trail through their land. Also, homeowners would have to carry insurance for the trail.
''There's also a potential liability of having bikers go down your road,'' borough solicitor James Nanovic said.
Arner said he would like to include the trail on his final land development plans, which await council's final approval.
The trail would start at the base of Flagstaff Mountain, near the head of the Switchback Trail, which follows Mauch Chunk Creek and attracts many hikers and bikers from across the region.
Sarah Fulton is a freelance writer.