Hello everyone,
As many of you may know, I will not be able to lead a Metrotrails hike this week, as I will be backpacking in the Catskills...HOWEVER, our good friend and long time Metrotrails member Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews has offered to host this coming Sunday's hike, with a classic trip along the Lehigh Canal between Bethlehem and Phillipsburg. Eric Pace will be assisting, and hikers will meet at 9 am at the Martin Tower, on 8th in Bethlehem. Take the Schoenersville Road exit from Rt 22 south, then hang a right on 8th. Martin Tower entrance will be on the left at a traffic light a little ways down.
The hike is quite an excellent, diverse route for the canal. The abandoned canal is in various conditions, starting with a watered section in Easton, and slack water towpath. A paved rail trail section is necessary to connect to the Chain Dam section, and the towpath is clear, but canal is empty between Wilson and Freemansburg. From Freemansburg to Bethlehem it is again watered and in nice shape.
The hike will end at Musikfest where hikers will have the choice of moving on to the end or hanging around the fest until whenever.
If anyone wants more information, they should contact Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews at (484) 894-4800, or if you can't get in touch with him, contact Eric at (908) 763-3916. Eric knows the route and can describe what you might see as well.
Again, I will be unable to answer any calls or assist further with this hike, so please direct all questions to Mr. Buckett or Eric! Hope you all have a great trip!
The following Sunday, my plan is to hike Beltzville State Park to Parryville. Stay tuned to METROTRAILS.ORG for further details!
As many of you may know, I will not be able to lead a Metrotrails hike this week, as I will be backpacking in the Catskills...HOWEVER, our good friend and long time Metrotrails member Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews has offered to host this coming Sunday's hike, with a classic trip along the Lehigh Canal between Bethlehem and Phillipsburg. Eric Pace will be assisting, and hikers will meet at 9 am at the Martin Tower, on 8th in Bethlehem. Take the Schoenersville Road exit from Rt 22 south, then hang a right on 8th. Martin Tower entrance will be on the left at a traffic light a little ways down.
The hike is quite an excellent, diverse route for the canal. The abandoned canal is in various conditions, starting with a watered section in Easton, and slack water towpath. A paved rail trail section is necessary to connect to the Chain Dam section, and the towpath is clear, but canal is empty between Wilson and Freemansburg. From Freemansburg to Bethlehem it is again watered and in nice shape.
The hike will end at Musikfest where hikers will have the choice of moving on to the end or hanging around the fest until whenever.
If anyone wants more information, they should contact Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews at (484) 894-4800, or if you can't get in touch with him, contact Eric at (908) 763-3916. Eric knows the route and can describe what you might see as well.
Again, I will be unable to answer any calls or assist further with this hike, so please direct all questions to Mr. Buckett or Eric! Hope you all have a great trip!
The following Sunday, my plan is to hike Beltzville State Park to Parryville. Stay tuned to METROTRAILS.ORG for further details!
