Newswatch 16’s Anthony Bordanaro shares how folks are taking advantage of the Lackawanna Heritage Trail despite the cold temps.

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Lackawanna Heritage Trail in Scranton usually doesn’t have a lot of people on it this time of year because of cold, snow, and sometimes both.

Just a few weeks ago, the trail was covered in ice, and it was dangerous to walk or bike. 

But on this afternoon, it was ice-free.

A stretch of 10 days with average highs in the 40s helped melt away most of the ice enough for those willing to walk in the frigid cold to enjoy the trail.

Although most of the trail is ice-free, it’s still bitterly cold with folks bundled up. They tell Newswatch 16 that they want to get outside, but also have to watch what they wear.

“The sun was out. So that was nice. And I have my hand warmers. So the weather doesn’t stop us. we’re pretty consistent and dedicated,” said one person from Clarks Summit.

Walkers say they try to do it all year round. Sometimes it’s difficult to find areas that are not icy. “We’ve been walking at Marywood because they keep their sidewalks and roads clean, but it’s very hilly. This is a smoother walk.”

The ice-free trail is not typical in the middle of January. The average snow depth this time of season in scranton 2-3 inches. 

The record is 21 inches in 1996. 

However, for the past two weeks, the Scranton area has received only 0.6 inches of snow. 

Some snow is in the forecast this weekend. Since the trail doesn’t get treated, there’s a chance the trail will be snow and ice-covered again, as it typically is.Â