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View Susquehanna River ice from lofty Enola Low Grade Rail Trail, 140-foot high trestle

Paul Kuehnel
York Daily Record

The ​​Enola Low Grade Rail Trail offers an elevated view of Susquehanna River ice and plenty of spacious views of the York County shoreline while biking or strolling or along the cliffs of the Lancaster County shore.

The river-facing portion of the trail runs just over six miles between the Turkey Hill Nature Preserve to just south of the newly opened historic Safe Harbor Trestle pedestrian bridge. From here, the trail turns into Lancaster County while continuing toward Quarryville.

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According to the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, the Enola Low Grade line was built between 1903 and 1906 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The purpose of the line was to reduce rail traffic by separating heavy freight trains from passenger service on the PRR’s main line. The line ran through southern Lancaster County, north along the Susquehanna and on to the Enola Yard, west of Harrisburg.

The Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge reopened for foot traffic last year along the Enola Low Grade Trail. It connects the 29 mile trail across the Conestoga River. It offers breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River and York County shore.

Evidence of railroading history is all along the route, from the steel structures that supported the overhead electrical lines, to concrete mile markers and small concrete huts with the PRR’s keystone symbol above the door.

Today, the 12-foot wide path offers a commanding view of the Susquehanna River skirting the rocky cliff. Well below the trail, an active rail line is separated from the elevated vista, but within eyeshot to remind the visitor how this trail was born.

The Enola Low Grade Trail runs above an active rail line. Standing on the curved Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge looking south, you can see Indian Rock Island.

A highlight of the trail is the 140 foot high, 1,500 foot Safe Harbor Trestle Bridge that makes a gentle curve through the air offering commanding views of the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Plant and south down the river across Indian Rock Island.

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Over the mild first weekend of the year, the parking lot was packed and the trail was busy with walkers, bikers and rock climbers making good on New Year resolutions. A reminder of the brutal temperatures the week before, broken ice steadily worked its way down the river, clustered into shattered sheets skating across pools of still water. 

Looking north on the Susquehanna River from the Enola Low Grade Trail river ice works its way past the distant Wrightsville bridges.

Unlike the York County side of the Susquehanna River, in winter the western exposure of the Lancaster County side and elevation of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail allows the low angle of the afternoon winter sun to warm the trail almost until sunset.

More:Full map of the Enola Low Grade Trail and more information

From York you can access the trail from York via Route 30. Head south on Route 441 (that turns into River Road at Washington Boro) six miles to the Turkey Hill Nature Preserve parking area. From the parking area, it is six miles on the trail to reach the trestle.

I have captured life through the lens since 1983, and am currently a visual journalist with the USA Today Network. You can reach me at pkuehnel@ydr.com.