New Signs Mark Trailhead at Montrose

Checking out the new Endless Mountain Trail signage in Montrose on Thursday were (above, from left) EMHR executive director Cain Chamberlin, Susquehanna County board member Brian Lione, media coordinator Rick Hiduk, administrative assistant Vanessa Billings-Seiler, and Susquehanna County board member Kerry Foose. The entrance to the trail is visible at right.

Montrose area residents traveling through the east end of town may have noticed a new double-sided sign along the east-bound lane of Routes 29 and 706 marking the point where the Endless Mountain Trail, a pedestrian and biking path, crosses the highway. The signs were funded by the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) and PA DCNR with a 50 percent cash match by the Rail-Trail Council.

The Endless Mountain Trail has a unique history, starting as the right-of-way for the Lackawanna & Montrose (L&M) branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad that was constructed in the 1880s between Alford and Montrose. Built for the movement of both freight and passengers, it was generally an unsuccessful venture, running for just 50 years. The rails were scrapped for the war effort, and the L&M was conveyed to the Bridgewater Riding Club, an equestrian organization, in 1944.

The group was led by Judge Edward Little, a retired Susquehanna County judge and well-respected citizen. After managing it for more than 60 years, the Riding Club deeded the trail to the Rail-Trail Council in 2008. A number of Montrose-area citizens formed a “friends” group in support of the project and proposed the idea for signs to mark the trailheads.

“Without this signage to denote the trailhead, many visitors and even residents of the region would not know this beautiful and historic 10-mile trail in Susquehanna County exists,” said EMHR executive director Cain Chamberlin. “It’s a scenic trail that would make a perfect daytrip or overnight destination for hikers, bicyclists, cross country skiers and horseback riders alike. To top it all off, the location of the new signage offers stunning views of Lake Montrose and the surrounding Montrose Country Club.”

There are two stretches – one west of Lake Chrisann and another east of Lake Heart – that are not yet open to the public while the Rail-Trail Council negotiates with landowners. When completed, the Endless Mountain Trail will add about 10 miles to the PA Rail-Trails system.

“The Rail-Trail Council hopes to improve sections of the open trail, install new signage and have events on the trail,” noted Rail-Trails project manager Lynn Conrad. “Many sections received a lot of use but need erosion control and grading.”

The Endless Mountains Heritage Region represents and serves Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. Trail development, signage, and water trail wayfinding are key elements of EMHR’s mission and management action plan. For regular updates on EMHR, follow Endless Mountains Heritage Region on Facebook.