Start August Off with March on Musikfest Hike!

Join us for the annual March on Musikfest Hike! Always a fun time, at this time of year we always have a hike that begins at one point and ends at Musikfest this Sunday!
This year, after meeting at Martin Tower, we will shuttle with as few cars as possible south to the town of Emmaus to begin our hike.
We will be exploring many different parks and preserves mostly along the Little Lehigh Parkway. We'll cross school properties, ball fields, and a cemetery at the beginning to reach Little Lehigh Creek, then follow paved, crushed stone, cinder, and grass trails along the parkway down stream toward the main Lehigh River. There may be one weedy spot near the very beginning of the hike, but most of it will be very clear. The Little Lehigh Parkway leads us directly into Allentown where we'll turn from the trailway and make our way to the south side of the Lehigh.

Next, we make our way along a lesser used dirt road along the river, then to the Walking Purchase Preserve, which we've covered in the past on similar hikes.
The route will be along the Lehigh, then head up hill a bit into the Walking Purchase Preserve. This leads us into South Bethlehem where the main Musikfest concerts take place. From here, we wander back into the main part of Bethlehem, and can continue either along streets back to Martin Tower when we want, or wander through Musikfest and take a bus back to that site when we're done.
When we arrive, we should determine who will be staying for Musikfest and who wishes only to do the hike to make for most ideal car shuttle.
Everyone will sign the standard waiver at the beginning of the trip, here:
http://www.metrotrails.org/Metrotrails/Waiver.html
This should be a really nice hike covering both new stuff and great places we've visited in the past. We hope you can join us for this fun annual hiking event!

Upcoming Hikes and Events!

Hey all!
We have a lot of interesting stuff coming up! I've been very busy and the regular mailing list has been down, but more good stuff is coming. This week is the next in the Jersey Perimeter series on the beach!
Join us for a point to point beach hike between Stone Harbor and Corson's Inlet! Meet at Stone Harbor Hobie Beach at the end of 2nd Avenue, 9 am in Stone Harbor NJ.
We will hike the beach as closely as possible between Corson's Inlet and Stone  Harbor, about 15 miles, passing through Strathmere, Sea Isle City, Townsend's Inlet, and Avalon along the way. We'll be crossing three bridges connecting these points.
If there is no parking at the meeting point, pull off on street nearby and we'll try to convene that way. You may call my cell at 908 343 8374. Just in case there is a feel, try to have some cash. Most beaches are free to pass through on (we've hiked all of it from South Amboy through Sandy Hook and south to this point, and have never paid a fee yet!).
Carpools will probably be available, and plenty of swimming! Check out Meetup group for carpool possibilities.
The rest of our schedule is as follows:
8/4 Annual March on Musikfest! This year we will finally do the Emmaus to Bethlehem Little Lehigh Greenway route I had planned in February but fell through.
8/11 Southern Catskills, Peekamoose and Table Mountains. A point to point hike using Long Path, Finger Lakes Trail, and more!
8/18 Tentative Margate City to Corson's Inlet beach hike
8/25 Tentative Black Rock Forest NY hike pending availability of my cousin.
Through September we have possible trips planned around Devil's Hole and Seven Pines Mountain, Stroudsburg PA, and Central NJ.
End of September will be a beach hike between Stone Harbor and Cape May.

More to come! Feel free to contact me at 908 343 8374 for more details!

M'ke

upcoming..

I have limited computer access, so please refer to www.meetup.com/metrotrails for our upcoming eevents

Next Up: Schuykill River Trail and More

Plenty more good stuff coming up! There's likely to be another night hike in the near future, but besides that, our next Sunday excursion will be near Philly...
Join us for a point to point hike on the Schuykill River Trail section between Manayunk and Valley Forge! Total of 16.2 miles, mostly flat.
We will be meeting at Wissahickon Station on the SEPTA line in Manayunk, at 5099 Ridge Avenue and Osborn Street, Philadelphia, at 9 am.
We will then shuttle in as few cars as possible north to Valley Forge National Historic Park where we will begin our hike.
Usually, I don't do hikes that take place on one trail, but there are too many little sections of this one that I've yet to complete, and so I figured there are many who might like to do this entire section, and cover high mileage on pretty easy terrain. I have been doing a lot of tougher ones, and this one has some spots where we might be able to swim, so it's a good Summer one.
The route will lead from the parking lot across the Rt 422 bridge. The Schuykill River Trail for much of the way is paved and follows an abandoned Philadelphia and Reading Railroad right of way.
The trail continues from suburban area into Norristown. Through some of this section there is little tree cover, so a hat is recommended, as well as sun screen. When it leaves town again, the trail becomes more shaded.
The trail continues along the Schuykill down stream to the town of Conshohoken, where it is open for a bit again before re-entering the woods. The trail continues through wooded suburban areas until the abandoned Shawmont Waterworks, where it descends to follow the former towpath of the Schuykill Navigation Canal, at slack water.
Here, the trail will switch from paved to crushed stone surface and follow the canal route through Manayunk toward the end point.
The Manayunk Canal section is said to be the oldest section of navigational canal in America.
Although the terrain is flat and easy, this is still substantial distance. Hikers should bring plenty of water and comfortable footwear. Hiking boots are not necessarily the best for such a trail. Very comfortable sneakers are the way to go here.
For any other questions, contact me at 908 343 8374

This Week: 7/7 Warren County Lost Treasures

Join us for a very diverse long day hike in Warren County showcasing some of the hidden gems of the county's Highlands region Sunday 7/7!
We will meet at 9 am at the Townsbury Lot, along Pequest Road where it crosses the Pequest River, a short distance from where it intersects from Rt 46. Google maps shows it in areas as Janes Chapel Road. There is not a ton of room to park, maybe 15 cars at best. It may be necessary to shuttle some to nearby Pequest Rd lots. There are a few WMA lots a bit further up. I will motion everyone to these sites on the day of the trip and shuttle back. We will then shuttle to the beginning point, Buckhorn Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is one of the few Warren County preserves I have not showcased on my hikes.
We will begin the hike by following woods roads and then bushwhacking along the Buckhorn Creek to a small almost forgotten village area known as Summerfield.
We'll continue from here along the pleasant back roads toward Brass Castle, including Washington Township's last dirt road, Spring Lane. This will lead us to the Roaring Rock Park, which as planned will be part of the Warren Highlands Trail when I complete it this far. We will make our way over a hill on the trails here, then visit a small reservoir, and head to cross Brass Castle Road. We then head into Lake Marguerrite and Griffith Woods with more trails. From here, we'll either bushwhack a bit to near Oxford Lake, or we'll head to the road down to Oxford. Here, we'll pass the our nation's first Hot Blast Furnace, well restored, as well as the Shippen Manor which served as an iron master's house.
From here we follow the old Warren Railroad, which is a trail for a bit, in to Pequest WMA. We'll turn away from the rail bed near the slag piles from Pequest Furnace, then head east. We have several possibilities for the route from here, depending on the time. I would like to use some forgotten rail beds, and a section of the trout hatchery that is abandoned, as well as some of their trail system. There is also an excellent little known route for walking between their trail system and Townsbury that would finish off the hike. Again, it will depend on time.
There will be off trail bushwhacking, up and down climbs, and walking through water, so be sure to be prepared for a rather difficult but diverse hike!
For more info contact me at 908 343 8374