Ridge Trail

The Ridge Trail near Austin Dam Memorial Park in Austin, Pennsylvania is a moderate 2-mile trail to connect the Austin Dam Memorial Park to the Odin Hoxie Trail. This hiking trail transverses across the eastern ridgeline above the Austin Dam Memorial Park to the northeast to the junction with the Odin Hoxie Trail.  A favorite of this hike is a side-hill slope journey through an impressive stand of old-growth pine at the woodland draft on the hillside across the highway parking turnout.

Trails
The northern terminus of this hiking trail begins on the ridgeline at the junction with the the Odin Hoxie Trail. The northern section of this track generally follows the ridgeline and treks along state forest boundary lands (borders blazed with white) that are adjoined by private land to the east and to south on this boundary. This tracks follows on a gradually ascending and descending ridgeline that leads to southwest and finishes through an old-growth pine forest as the hiker descends from the high ridge to the parking area along PA Route 872 just north of the Austin Dam Memorial Park.

At the time of this initial publishing, a suitable footpath through an old-growth pine forest is yet to be defined. Additional scouting hikes are needed to track this section of the hike. At it stands, the hike from the southern terminus at the parking area along PA Route 872 up to the ridgeline terminus shown on the map should be considered to be a scramble for a one-half-mile-ascent following the pine forest woodland draft to the ridgeline pathway. Note that the total mileage here (approx. 2-miles) includes this scramble section that was left out of the GPS track.

Parking
Hikers can find parking at the coordinates provided; next to the trailhead, along PA Route 872about one-half-mile north of the Austin Dam Memorial Park. This Ridge Trail connects to the Odin Hoxie Trail.

Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed.

Camping
Camping is permitted in Austin Dam Memorial Park and also on the state forest lands (borders blazed with white). No suitable campsites were identified along this short connector trail. For dispersed and primitive camping in other areas of the state forest, please follow the state forest rules and regulations and only camp on state lands.

Private Land
The northern section of this trail treks along state forest boundary lands (borders blazed with white) that are adjoined by private land to the east and to south on this boundary. Please respect the land owners and stay on the trail at all times.