Hawk Mountain Sanctuary


New trail solves accessibility problem for wildlife viewing


From Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association


passing migrants from a Hawk Mountain lookout is the best way to spark an interest in nature and raptors, and that this first-hand experience is key to its raptor conservation mission. Yet, despite the short walk to the closest overlook, the steep grade limited many. Some individuals were either left at home or sat alone to wait inside the Sanctuary’s Visitor Center. Two years of planning and consul- tation with professional staff, volun- teers, and accessibility and land man- agement experts resulted in a new option, the accessible Silhouette Trail, which leads to the scenic South Lookout. The Sanctuary credits the suc- cess of its final product to its broad planning team, including a partnership


H 22 FALL 2017 AmericanTrails.org


awk Mountain Sanctuary staff, board, and supporters believe that the chance to watch for


with the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, which helped eval- uate plans and tested accessibility dur- ing construction and before public use. Hawk Mountain opened the trail on July 26, 2015, following a standing- room-only dedication on the 25th anni- versary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.


The new trail was built with a slope that averages eight percent. The accessi- ble trail is the first phase of a larger project that will ultimately stretch more than half a mile in length and link all major visitor facilities, including the outdoor amphitheater, native plant gar- den, and visitor center. Supporters for the project were


many. Cyrus Klingsberg remembered how his wife could no longer accompa- ny him on his visits, even to the South Lookout, which is so close to the park- ing area. When he heard plans for an accessible trail, he immediately offered his support.


The challenge The jaw-dropping views from scenic overlooks at Hawk Mountain are a major attraction, and each autumn it offers one of the most recognized and best-known raptor observation points in the United States. However, for more than 80 years, the authentic Appalachian forest experience and rugged terrain that made the sanctuary famous also restricted access, even to the nearby South Lookout. Located just 100 yards from the


parking area, the short walk was up a steep grade and even the wide and graded path to this overlook chal- lenged people with young children and all visitors with limited mobility. That meant that many individuals


were left inside the visitor center to wait for others in their party, or simply stayed at home.


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