Abandoned Railroad Tunnel + Lehigh Gorge State Park - South Lehigh Gorge Dr Jim Thorpe PA

Random Adventures 2.0 visited the Abandoned Railroad Tunnel Near Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania in Lehigh Gorge State Park.

We explored the tunnel and where the train traveled over the Lehigh River to the Northern side. We start out in the overgrown area behind the bathrooms on the northern side of the tunnel and find some interesting cement pillars that appear to have supported a platform or building at onetime.

Once we enter the train tunnel we can see remnants of the old railroad ties that once supported the rails, even some old brackets remain on the RR ties.

Make sure you take along a good flashlight! The Tunnel is Dark even during full daylight. There are large boulders that have fallen from the ceiling overtime and are tripping hazards if you don't have a flashlight or a good cellphone light setting.

Once you reach the other end you will be standing at the railing to a 30 plus foot drop to the river below. Great views both up and down stream.

When you are at this end make sure you checkout the drill marks in the walls of the tunnel from when they drilled and blasted out the sections. Also, on the side when looking at the river to the left or down stream side about 6 feet up perturbing from the wall appears to be an old drill bit that got stuck and left in place.

Have an awesome adventure!
Tony

Some History:

The Turn Hole Tunnel is an abandoned railroad tunnel near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Built by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company in 1866, it carried part of the Lehigh and Susquehanna RR main line until 1912, and was used as part of a passing siding for several decades thereafter.

Location: Lehigh Gorge State Park in
Carbon County, Pennsylvania