WRIGHTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
This trail was unknown to me until a few weeks ago, when I saw someone on Facebook post about the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. I didn’t research it completely, other than to find a start and finish location. And I drove to Pennsylvania to find it.
After seeing a heat map that showed a lot of bike traffic across the Former Wrightsville Bridge, I decided I would find a park in Wrightsville and ride across the Susquehanna River from York Co. into Lancaster County.
I didn’t want to drive to Lancaster (County) for a 14-mile trail, even though out-and-back would be 28 miles. I did think I could do an out-and-back twice for 56 miles, but once on the trail should be enough. So I mapped out a ride that would be a loop, go through Mount Joy, which I knew nothing about, and finish with the last 15 miles on the trail.
I chose the hottest day of the year, or at least the hottest day thus far. The temperature would climb to 93 degrees (33 C). I went to Riverside Park in Wrightsville and found shared space with a carnival company setting up for the Wrightsville Fair this weekend. I headed over the Susquehanna River to Columbia. After crossing the Wrightsville-Columbia bridge, I began a 3.5-mile climb. It even had a switchback on it. It wasn’t hard, but it was unexpected, as I thought Lancaster County would all be flat farmland.
The roads were bike-friendly. While the country roads had no shoulders, traffic was very light and respectful. Some of the roads had a medium to wide shoulder. Traffic was of no concern.
Just 11 miles in, I crossed the Historic Schenck’s Mill Covered Bridge (1847). Then I headed through a neighborhood to Mount Joy. I was surprised to see an Amtrak Station here in this very pleasant-looking town. Yesterday I had researched places to eat, knowing there would be nothing further on my route today. I found a burger place, Beanie’s Bar and Grill. While they had outdoor seating, with only two on their wait staff working, I was the only one to sit outside. I ordered at the bar, and the waitress brought me my food.
After lunch, I headed over to the northern trailhead of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. It started as asphalt, which I expected to end in 200-300 meters. And it never ended. Obviously, I did not research this trail too deeply because I thought it was crushed limestone. Regardless, from the time I left Wrightsville, I had been in the sunshine except for lunch at Beanie’s. I was baking. There are no trees in Lancasetr County. Except on the trail. It was probably 95% shaded and was very welcome.
This is a river trail, not a rail trail, so it follows the contour of the river and is not straight as an arrow. It does follow the railroad, although for the time I was on it, a train never passed. The asphalt was in good shape but not great. There were a few spots of minor rooting, enough to feel it but not enough to hurt. Maybe I would give it 4.5 out of 5 for pavement.
There are no fixtures on this trail. As mentioned, it’s not a rail trail that uses abandoned trestles or tunnels. There is a pretty cool “tunnel” though. Or a hole in the hill. And the trail goes right past the White Cliffs of Convoy.
The trail at Marietta is very winding with lots of curves. My GPS suggested I go through the straight streets in Marietta. I did not because this first time I wanted to stay on the trail. But if I return, I will probably explore Marietta.
My search for a post-ride ice cream landed me at Coffee and Cream in Columbia. Weekdays it closes at 3:00 p.m., so I was watching my time. I briefly explored the riverfront in Columbia before sitting down with a great chocolate shake. Recovery. What a way to end a ride.
Of course, my ride wasn’t over. I still had to cross the Susquehanna and get back to my car. I arrived back, and the Wrightsville Fair was basically set up and ready for the weekend. I turned the A/C in the car on max. Using my phone as GPS, it quit working in just a few minutes. The phone had overheated. It was hot. I guess I did too.
DISTANCE: 48 miles (78 km)
