Suburban Wilds - the patches of green space that are
intertwined within our communities.
Getting out in nature is very important to our peace of mind
and health, and in today’s over-connected world we need to unplug and
experience nature. Getting outside in
nature does not require a long drive or a bunch of gear. All you really need are shoes with traction
(that you don’t mind getting a little muddy) and a water bottle. What a lot of people don't realize is how many beautiful places are close to our homes in Pittsburgh. I like to call these gems the Suburban Wilds.
All throughout the Pittsburgh area there are land trusts that are preserving green
space for us to enjoy (Check out the Allegheny Land Trust and Hollow Oak Land Trust). It is amazing
since some places feel as if you are far from anything yet you are often in the
shadow of the daily hustle. For most of my life I have been taking advantage of
them on a weekly basis. I think it is
important I share some of these experiences so you can discover and enjoy them
as well.
I was recently informed of a new suburban wild by Ben Brilmyer: the
Montour Woods Conservation Area (find the trail head here). The property is owned by the Hollow Oak Land Trust and is located off of
Hassam Road in Moon Township, only a 20 minute drive from Bridgeville. The trail head has a nice parking
area and a porta-john. As I looked at the map I realized the property was part of my old teenage stomping grounds, and this same area used to be a rutty 4x4 trail. I remember getting stuck down here multiple times in vehicles not built to handle such terrain. It was amazing to see an area that was once considered dumpy turned into a suburban wild.
We headed down
the swampy trail and traveled along the Meeks Run trail, which follows and
crosses Meeks Run a few times. At the end of the Meeks run trail we reached a beautiful home that sat at the
edge of the land trust’s property. At
this point we back tracked on Meeks and a found a trail marked as under
development on the map. The new trail traversed up the valley
overlooking Meeks run. The trail meets
up with the Power Line trail which is a straight up climb to a pond at the end
of the Ewings Mills plan in Moon . Here sits a tribute in memory of two boys
who drowned in 1993.
The trail continues along the pond and intersects with Baseball Trail which has no relation to baseball, but is actually on old Nike missile site. Be aware of your surroundings as dirt bikes still use the trails. We explored the old site a bit and headed back to the Hemlock trail which traverses the eastern ridge providing an amazing view of some of the more opulent homes in Moon township. At one point the wind gushed with a powerful force giving an exhilarating sense of nature. Being tucked into the folds of suburbia enjoying the hawks flying above and moss covered fallen trees, the area provided the much needed sense of desolation and peace.
We followed the hemlock trail off the ridge and back into the valley. We lost the leaf covered trail a few times but were well aware of where we were going. At the bottom we found a nice resting spot with a small waterfall. We forged the run and returned to Meeks run trail which takes you to where it meets Montour Run. Here you can climb your way to a rock beach and watch the water flow by as it meanders it's way to the Ohio river. Pittsburgh is slowly returning some of its natural beauty with touches of its industrial past. On the trail you can find remnants of oil wells and the equipment that supported them.
Considerations for hiking:
- Prepare for different conditions and expect to get muddy. A change of shoes can be kept in your car.
- Carry a water bottle.
- Dress in layers.
- Take a camera (or put your phone on airplane mode so you aren’t distracted)
- Most areas provide a map. Check it frequently as you hike.
- Have fun!
- Pack out some trash you find on the trail and help keep it clean.
Justin Thomas
Instinct Fitness
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