Trip #442 Ridenour Avenue, Crafton Heights took place on May 3, 2020, and was published on May 22, 2020.
We grow up, and we stop looking at the world with eyes filled of childlike wonder. Instead, our years of experience teaches us to be on the lookout for flaws, dangers, and problems, and to avoid them at all cost; which often means banishing curiosity for playing it safe. But when we throw off that mantle of adult concern and set off on a good old fashioned adventure, the discoveries are the stuff of fairy tales and legends. Full of perilous crossings, ancient ruins, musical trees, and magical stones. All of that, and so much more, can be found right here, on the wild western border of Pittsburgh city limits.
Field Notes: This slightly ramshackle wooden flight is right on the edge of Pittsburgh’s “city limits” The houses alongside appearing to be under renovation – perhaps at one point they were “orphan houses” but they likely have a back alley entrance now.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling.
