PARAGON ADVENTURE PARK, Pennsylvania
Paragon Adventure Park is located
in eastern Pennsylvania and used to be a logging and strip mining area. This
privately owned park covers about 15.000 acres and features 70 trails with 120
- 140 miles of various degrees of difficulty. The well-marked trails intersect
and form loops and they are one-way except for the main access roads. A permit
can be obtained at the trailer located at the entrance. Park employees, whose
trucks are marked with a yellow flag, patrol the park continuously to make sure
everyone is allright and treads lightly. An on-site rescue team is also available
to help in case of an emergency.
The park also hosts several events throughout the year. For more information
please visit their website: www.paragonap.com
Please note: you have to travel in groups of three rigs; always display an orange
flag (so if you've got one in your drawer - bring it!).
Park manager Kyle Ilnost welcomes us warmly and spends some time enlightening
us about the facts and features of the park. He assignes Kyle Buchter (park
patrol) to show us around. Kyle B. guides us through a good part of the park
explaining via cb-radio the different areas. He leads us through the staging
area which fits about 300 rigs. From there we follow along various trails which
consist mostly of black dirt. This anthracit is typical for strip mining areas.
Through the woods the dirt changes to the common beige-brown color. There are
steep inclines, drops and rocky sections. Due to unusually high amounts of snow
and the latest rains, a lot of areas are closed because they are flooded. Even
on the trails you encounter many water crossings. Kyle shows us through most
of the western part of the park and guides us across a pretty deep river with
good-size boulders hidden underneath the waves. He also "poses" for
some photo and video shots; after about two hours he returns to his duties as
park patrol while we are allowed (big exception) to venture around on our own
to get a good idea what this 4-wheel area has to offer. On trail 88 we try to
tackle the Poet Rock. I choose a bad line and get stuck. With the help of the
Hi-Lift Jack I lift the truck enough to get a rock under the front wheel. Now,
backing out is no problem. Since it is starting to rain heavily again, I skip
a second try and we keep going. As everywhere, it is a good idea to ask about
the current conditions before heading out on the trails without a guide. While
exploring the eastern half of the park we drive along trail 11 which is supposed
to be a 2WD road. Due to the recent rainfalls this trail offers some challenging
spots. We come across a couple of stock vehicles whose drivers decide to turn
around - a wise move!
Before we head back to the entrance, we return to the drop-offs Kyle has shown
us earlier to take a few pictures. Unfortunately the rain does not want to stop
and so we leave after playing for just a little while.
We check out at the office and thank the team for their hospitality and flexibility.
Check out the 4x4 Gallery
Directions:
From I-81 exit # 143 near Hazleton, take state route 924 south for 3 miles,
make a left on Oak Ridge Road (there's a sign for "Humboldt Industrial
Park" but beware: this is not the first such sign!). Cross the railroad
tracks and go for about 2/10 of a mile - the entrance will be on your right.