One of Pennsylvania’s most popular hiking destinations is on track to reopen after years of closure, though visitors will need to remain patient as a major reconstruction effort continues in Carbon County.
The Glen Onoko Falls Trail near Jim Thorpe has been closed since 2019, when the Pennsylvania Game Commission cited safety concerns, erosion and trail deterioration. The steep, rocky route, known for its scenic waterfalls and challenging terrain, has been the site of numerous injuries and at least 10 fatalities over the past five decades.
Now, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is leading a rehabilitation project designed to make the trail safer for hikers and improve emergency access. When completed, the trail will reopen as part of Lehigh Gorge State Park.
The work is being carried out by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps, whose crews are widening portions of the upper trail and removing or breaking apart large boulders that have long made access difficult. The improvements are intended to allow first responders to reach injured hikers more quickly using utility vehicles and to create a safer route overall.
State officials estimate the project will take between three and five years to complete.
The trail remains closed during construction, and officials continue to warn the public to stay away from the area. Despite posted signs, barriers and the threat of citations, hikers continue to enter the trail.
Officials say the ongoing construction has made some sections even more hazardous than before. Heavy equipment, hydraulic tools and unstable rock formations present additional risks to unauthorized visitors.
The trail’s reputation for difficulty predates its closure. The approximately 3.7-mile loop follows Glen Onoko Run before becoming increasingly steep and rugged, with narrow ledges, wet rocks and significant drop-offs. Hikers often had to scramble over rocky sections, particularly near the waterfalls.
Even after the closure, accidents have continued. A hiker required rescue shortly after the trail was shut down, a 72-year-old hiker died in a fall in 2022, and emergency responders have continued to assist individuals who enter the restricted area.
Interest in the trail remains high. More than 8,500 people signed a petition opposing the closure in 2019, and local officials continue to receive inquiries about when the destination will reopen.
Source: Phila Inquirer