Hey all!
Lots of good stuff coming up in the near future including trail work, the Allamuchy Hike, night hikes, and Buckettfest!
We're hoping to do a night hike Friday, but watch www.meetup.com/metrotrails for info. Here is this week's regular hike description:

Join us for a point to point 15.5 mile hike in Allamuchy Township on 2/3/13, showcasing the best loved and best unknown points of interests in the township, traversing the namesake mountain, many trails, historic buildings, hidden paths, the Morris Canal, and abandoned rail beds!
We will be meeting at 8:30 am at the Long Bridge lot, along the abandoned Lehigh and  Hudson River Railroad bed, the last leg of the hike.
From Interstate 80, take exit 19, then turn right, heading north on Rt 517 shortly, then immediate left into the village of Allamuchy proper (google maps calls this "Old Hackettstown Road"). Go a short distance and turn left on Alphano Road, then continue a couple miles and turn right on Long Bridge Road. Cross the Pequest River and the parking is on the left, gravel lot along the river. This was the former Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad crossing, abandoned 1986.
Here are the coordinates of the
Lattitude: 40°55'17.40"N
Longitude: 74°50'26.59"W
After meeting, we will shuttle with as few cars as possible to our beginning point and hike a lesser known section of the Morris Canal Trail.
We will continue to Saxton Falls and the strange Colony Road area, an abandoned and forgotten development that is nearly empty today.
We will then ascend Allamuchy Mountain via the former switchback junkyard, an unofficial trail that leads to the former home of a recluse who used to horde old cars on the mountainside. We'll follow a vague trail up to the Deer Park section of Allamuchy Mountain State Park, and follow trails in a looping fashion, visiting Deer Park Pond, the scenic overlook along Rt 80, the weird rooted tree on Barberry Trail, and then the new Allamuchy Pond Trail to Rutherford Hall, which is currently being renovated!
Next, we'll continue along woods roads and off trail through more park land, and continue near Panther Valley to a hidden overlook, then descend to Alphano where we'll pick up the abandoned Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad (1886-1986) and follow it to Long Bridge, our end point.
We may go to optional dinner in Great Meadows following the hike.
Hope to see you all soon!
M'ke Helbing
President
Metrotrails

Sunday 1/27 White Clay Creek Hike!

Please join us for an interesting loop hike in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, covering White Clay Creek Preserve in PA, and White Clay Creek State Park in DE, Sunday 1/27. Much of this property was former DuPont land, preserved for fantastic greenways.
This hike is also the next in a series to hike the entire Mason Dixon Trail! The Mason Dixon Trail travels from Chadds Ford PA all the way to Wiskey Springs on the Appalachian Trail, some 193 miles!
We will do a roughly 15 mile loop through the two preserves. Much of the route is along the lovely White Clay Creek where can be seen abutments of former railroad use. Some of the trails follow these rights of way.
We will be meeting at a parking lot on Sharpless Road at the following GPS coordinates:
Lat:39°44'58.61"N
Long:75°46'15.29"W
From the PA Turnpike (Rt 476) take exit 5 onto Rt 1 West. Turn left from this onto Newark Road heading south after passing Kennett Square area. Make a right on Buttonwood Road, then another right on Broad Run Road. This will lead to London Tract Road, another right turn. Go a short distance and Sharpless Road will be on the left.
The dirt road takes a couple of sharp bends, and just after crossing a small creek, there is a rather large dirt parking area on the left. This is where we will meet at 9 am to begin the loop hike.
There are no stores along this hike, so participants should bring plenty of water and a lunch. Contact me for more info: M'ke sneezehorse@hotmail.com or call/text 908 343-8374

Note also the following dates: Saturday Feb 9th, Buckettfest party with Bethlehem/Allentown area hike, and visit www.meetup.com/metrotrails to see our schedule as it unfolds!