Jim Thorpe, PA: Rain, Rails, Cycling

I woke up at Pocono Organics. I can’t tell you much about them—other than that the building is massive and probably has its own zip code. The skies were gray and the roads were wet as I headed toward Jim Thorpe, winding through sleepy towns and alongside misty streams. Google insisted the speed limit was 55. The signs said otherwise. Let’s just say it wasn’t a fast drive.

I arrived in Jim Thorpe around 9:30 a.m. and wasn’t immediately impressed. Google had dropped me somewhere that looked like the administrative side of town. After poking around, I learned that Broadway is the main strip—the one with charm, shops, and people. A mile away. Thanks, Google.

Parking and Kiosks

I circled the town to get a feel for it. Being the offseason, spots were easy to find—except on Broadway, where every space required a permit. I headed toward the visitor center and spotted a kiosk. Promising? Not quite.

I hit “Start,” credit card ready. The screen read: “For Carbon County employees only.” I tried again. Same result. After a few more failed attempts, I gave up and walked to the visitor center. The woman there suggested I either find another kiosk nearby or use the big lot by the train station (Do park here).

As I turned to move the van, I spotted another kiosk—just steps from the first. I sighed and chose the big lot for simplicity. But that proved optimistic. One kiosk had a line of confused users; another was broken. A woman with her granddaughters asked if I knew what to do, and suddenly I had a small crowd behind me.

Eventually, someone from the lot office walked us across the street to a working kiosk. I paid, helped the next person, and after forty minutes, I was finally parked. Cost: $8. Entertainment Value: Priceless.

Jim Thorpe Downtown

From there, the day got much better. It was a foggy, misty down, but the clouds were beginning to burn off.

Broadway is the heart of Jim Thorpe and lives up to its reputation as the “Switzerland of America”—if you squint a little and imagine fewer Alps and more fudge shops. It’s charming, with historic architecture, small boutiques, and a relaxed vibe that makes you want to slow down and stay a while. In summer, I bet it's packed shoulder-to-shoulder, but today it was just me and a few curious wanderers.

Muggle’s Mug

I ducked into Muggle’s Mug, a local coffee shop with eclectic vibes and decent coffee. No pastries, unless you count cookies as breakfast (which I sometimes do). The place is usually bustling, but this morning I was the only customer. The barista barely looked up from her phone as I walked in. A vibe.

Jim Thorpe has some interesting attractions—the Old Jail (home of the Molly Maguires legend), the Asa Packer Mansion (now a museum), the Mauch Chunk Opera House, and a small museum dedicated to the town’s railway and industrial history. If you’re into leisurely strolls, coffee breaks, and window shopping, this is your spot.

Lehigh Valley Gorge

But for me, the real reason to come here is the outdoors.

I hopped on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway with my bike, planning to take the train up the gorge and cycle back. Originally, I wanted to bike up and ride the train down, but timing the return train is a logistical headache—so I followed the conductor’s advice and rode up by rail, chatting about gravel bikes the whole way. He suggested I continue riding up to White Haven. That turned out to be a perfect tip.

The trail runs along the Lehigh River through Lehigh Gorge State Park, and it’s stunning—especially after a rain. I’d read that the trail can be rough when wet, but it was in great shape. The sound of the rushing river never left my ears. Along the way were waterfalls, old railroad remnants, canal locks, and mining artifacts—faded remnants of another time. It’s like riding through an open-air museum, but with better oxygen levels. The trail is well maintained and the restrooms were very modern and clean.

White Haven: Woods Ice Cream

When I reached White Haven, I went in search of food. Most places were closed, but I found Woods Ice Cream a few blocks from the trail. The ice cream was... fine. More icy than creamy, and not bursting with flavor—but after 18 miles uphill, it still felt like a reward. Sure, ice cream on a long ride isn’t ideal—it kind of sits in your stomach and throws a tiny dairy rave—but I have no regrets. OK, maybe one.

I hadn’t planned to ride 43 miles, but with a gentle 2% grade, cool air, and scenery like that, the ride practically carried me. This trail is a gem. If you’re not up for the full ride, there are shuttle services that’ll drop you off at White Haven so you can cruise back downhill. I stopped along the way back for some photos along the trail.

End of the Day

Back at the van, I made dinner, wiped down the bike, packed up, and aimed for Frackville. I rolled into the Cracker Barrel lot just as they were locking up for the night. Two semi-trucks and my van were the only guests. By 10 p.m., silence. Or maybe I was just too tired to hear anything.

Another full day on the road—exactly how I like it.