The Sugar Notch Residential Area Reclamation effort remediated 50 acres of mine scarred lands in a larger 189-acre site in Sugar Notch, Luzerne County. The result is an approximately 50-acre area intended for single family homes, while the remaining 139+ acres area designated as green/recreational space.  As part of that projected, Earth Conservancy created the Sugar Notch Trail System, which includes two trails of varied technical difficulty.

The Sugar Notch Residential Area Reclamation project resulted in the remediation of 50 acres of a larger 189-acre site.  The remaining 137 acres were pristine woodland with the Sugar Notch Stream running through a section of the site.  The green space was prime area to create the Sugar Notch Trail System, which would run on both an existing unimproved trail and through the newly designated residential area. The trails were proposed in EC’s Open Space Master Plan.

The system consists of two trails, the Ridgetop Trail and the Park Access Trail. The Ridgetop Trail utilizes an existing trail. Earth Conservancy strived to keep the trail as natural as possible by simply trimming branches and leveling ground where necessary. The 3.06-mile trail begins at a trailhead in the Phase I section of the Greater Hanover Area Recreation Park and runs the ridgeline of Wilkes-Barre Mountain, ending at a second trailhead on Main Street on the West end of Sugar Notch beside St. Mary’s/Holy Family Cemeteries.  Along the trail you will cross an old railroad bridge and walk along the Sugar Notch Stream. 

The Park Access Trail, at .064 miles, is much shorter but provides residents of Sugar Notch a safe alternative route to and from the recreation park.  The trail begins at a trailhead located on the Phase II section of the park and runs through the designated residential area, ending at a second trailhead in Sugar Notch Playground, on Broadhead Avenue. 

Both trails have white blazes on trees and there are parking lots at three of the trailheads.  Future amenities include picnic tables, grills and trash receptacles. The opportunities for active living and recreational activities are components of residential design Earth Conservancy attempted to incorporate into its design plans for the combined project area: the Greater Hanover Area Recreation Park, the Sugar Notch Residential Area Project and the Sugar Notch Trail System.

It is important to remember that appropriate clothes and shoes/hiking boots and socks be worn for any trail hiking and that hikers be prepared for quick changes in weather by brining rain gear. Hydration and energy are also keys to successful hiking. Always bring bottled water and easy trail foods like granola bars to keep in pockets or backpacks.

Check out www.americantrails.org for more information on hiking dos and don’ts.

Please click HERE for a printable map of the Sugar Notch Trail System.