Some of the most beautiful landscapes in Pennsylvania, and wilderness that most never see, are revealed to those who hike the Mason-Dixon Trail.

Winding along the west side of the Susquehanna River in York County, the Mason-Dixon Trail follows the high ridges and often drops to follow the clear streams that feed the “big river”: Oakland Run, Otter Creek, Wilson Run, Green Branch, and Fishing Creek. As the streams tumble to the Susquehanna, they create falls and gentle pools full of aquatic life.


Volunteers work on a trail relocation near Oakland Run (York County)

In the spring and summer, the trail following these streams wanders through blooming rhododendron, mountain laurel, and, occasionally, thickets of bamboo. In the fall, the foliage turns to gold, red, and yellow as the maples, oaks and other hardwoods prepare to shed their leaves. In winter and early spring, the scarcity of foliage opens up great vistas on the River, and the dams, Safe Harbor and Holtwood, become visible from miles away. This section of the M-DT, from Wrightsville to the Norman Wood Bridge, has just been declared a National Recreation Trail.


Mason-Dixon Trail bridge over Saw Mill Run (York County)

The 192-mile Mason-Dixon Trail covers much more than York County, however. The western terminus is at the Appalachian Trail at Whiskey Springs, Cumberland County; The M-DT follows across northern York County, passing through Pinchot State Park, before bending south east near York Haven to follow the Susquehanna River. It tracks the western shore of the Susquehanna all the way south to Havre de Grace, MD, then crosses the river. The M-DT winds east through Maryland, into Delaware, and finally, back into Pennsylvania in Chester County, terminating at Chadds Ford. From here, hikers can follow the Brandywine Trail north, connect with the Horseshoe Trail, and intersect the Appalachian Trail again in Dauphin County.


Mason-Dixon Trail in Pinchot State Park

The Mason-Dixon Trail originated from the vision of Bob Yost, head trail maintainer for the Wilmington (DE) Trail Club in the early ‘70’s. He grew up as a boy in York County, and spent many idyllic summers exploring the west banks of the Susquehanna between Wrightsville and Havre de Grace. He dreamed of extending the Brandywine Trail from Chester County and northern Delaware into Maryland, crossing the Susquehanna River between Perryville and Havre de Grace, then taking it up the river using some of those paths which he had enjoyed as a teenager. As his dream came to realization, Yost asked Earl Shaffer (yes, that Earl Shaffer) to lay out the section of the trail cutting across northern York County, and passing through Pinchot State Park. It was actually Earl’s brother, Dan, who, along with a group of Boy Scouts, who put in that section, mainly along back-country roads. In 1979, the Mason-Dixon Trail System was officially established to have stewardship of any hiking trails in southeastern PA, northern DE, and northeastern MD. The Keystone Trails Association provided seed money for these initial activities.


High Point overlooking the Susquehanna River

Today, the M-DTS is still actively working to get the trail relocated off those back-country roads, many of which have now become paved thoroughfares. There is a consistent effort by the volunteer members of the M-DTS to maintain the trail, with a group going out every Thursday to do trail maintenance. M-DTS is always looking for new volunteers, for trail work as well as for organizational posts. Two member clubs, the York Hiking Club and the Chester County Trail Club have partnered with the Mason-Dixon Trail System to assist in trail maintenance.


The Mason-Dixon Trail in Chester County, near the eastern terminus of the trail


The Mason-Dixon Trail in Chester County

The Mason-Dixon Trail (along with the Conestoga Trail in Lancaster County) was the venue for the KTA Susquehanna Super Hike in 2009 and will be again on September 11, 2010.

For further information about the Mason-Dixon Trail check out the website www.masondixontrail.org. Anyone interested in volunteering for our trail maintenance Thursdays should contact Jim Hooper, MDTS President, at jimhooper07@gmail.com or 717-252-3784.