Hike #119
Hike 119
The group on top of Mt. Parnassus in Phillipsburg
1/4/4
For this next hike, I decided with the shorter days to do something a bit closer to home to
alleviate the worries of having to find our way back in the dark. I had scaled off a new
section hike covering some more points of interest mainly in the Phillipsburg NJ area
ending in Warren Glen. I planned on this one being a more liesurely hike with lots of food
and goof off stops.
Former Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge over the Delaware, Phillipsburg
Delaware trestle of the CNJ from the LV
Tea Biscuit and I headed to Warren Glen first, and left his car at our stepmother, Donna’s
parents’ house, then we headed to Phillispburg’s Union Square where we were planning
on meeting Alf for his first hike with us in some time. Alf was not there, but we were able
to contact him on Tea Biscuit’s cell phone, and while waiting for him we decided to go for
a walk on our own.
Railroad trestle over the Delaware
Former CNJ trestle over the Lehigh, Easton
We walked down the Bel Del tracks south to the double bridges, and climbed to the
former CNJ bridge aftet the passing of a long fast moving train. I had not walked across
this particular bridge before, so this was the first bit of “Rare Mileage” (as Bode calls it)
for us on this date.
Former LV railroad station and bridge in Easton
Miles of Mules along the Delaware, Easton
Alf walking through Union Square in Phillipsburg from Easton
Columbus statue, Easton
Crossing the Northampton Street Free Bridge
We crossed the bridge, then descended to the Delaware Canal outlet lock on the
Delaware River, and the beginning of the Lehigh Canal. We walked along a piece of the
towpath as I recall, but we then walked Rt 611 out and along the Delaware River, passing
some of the “Miles of Mules” on display. As we reached a riverfront park, Alf arrived at
Union Square and called us. We waited across the river within site of him, and watched
him walk along the lot and across the free bridge to meet up with us. It did’nt take him
long, and we walked north along the riverside park and visited a Christopher Colombus
memorial. When that park did not lead us anywhere, we decided to walk across the Rt 22
bridge, but unfortunitely the walkway was closed, so we headed back to the Northampton
Street Free Bridge.
Rt 22 pedestrian bridge in Phillipsburg near the High School
Former Morris and Essex Railroad in Phillipsburg
Old connector track that went from the M&E line south to the CNJ through Ingersoll Rand
Old trestle site of the connector track through Ingersoll Rand
Old railroad bridge site in Phillipsburg near Ingersoll Rand
After reaching the other side, we walked steeply uphill on Morris Street to the pedestrian
bridge over Rt 22 near Phillipsburg High School. I found out about this bridge when I
lived up the hill on Summit Avenue; I used to jog this route to visit the library to check my
e mail. I wrapped Tea Biscuit up in some shrink wrap and drew smiley faces on him, but
he would’nt leave it on.
We walked along the north side of 22, and stopped at the Hillcrest Mall area, visiting
many different stores just to be silly. I recall us pigging out here, then crossing 22 and
going to the 7-11, where Tea Biscuit bought a French Vanilla Cappucino. We then got
onto the former Morris and Essex tracks and followed them east to where a spur used to
head south through the Ingersoll Rand lands to eventually connect with the Bel Del further
south.
Along former Ingersoll Rand connector track, Phillipsburg
The rails were still in on this line that broke off to the west before turning south, and it
was very overgrown. We fought through, passing by a small trestle site with a single pier.
We were unbable to follow it much longer, and we found ourselves walking along part of
Roseberry Street as I recall. It also began raining quite heavily at this time, and I was still
calling people trying to get them to join us. I talked for a bit to Chris Jones who I met at
Wal Mart, and he thought about joining for a brief moment, but decided he did not want
to walk in the rain. It was fortunite that we had ponchos.
Phillipsburg rail yard
Climbing the signal bridge, Phillipsburg
We continued along, soon finding rail remnants in the grass. We made a stop at the next
road where there was a general store. As we bought drinks, I talked to an old timer about
where the railroad used to go, and he gave us a detailed description of the location, and
some new houses built over it.
We walked the streets trying to trace the right of way, and at one point went the wrong
way following an old road right of way by mistake. We soon discovered the closer correct
route and continued generally south. This led us to the CNJ and LV Railroads at Green’s
Bridge. We gave up on trying to find the right of way here, and we were able to get a hold
of Skyler on the phone. He planned on meeting up with us, along with his girlfriend, Shay.
Signal bridge, Phillipsburg
View of a train on the LV trestle coming into Phillipsburg from the signal bridge
Alf descending from the signal bridge
We decided to walk the former CNJ tracks west to intercept them near Union Square.
When we arrived, we headed to the old signal tower on the LV right of way, and climbed
to get the view. I took a nice picture of a train coming across the former CNJ bridge from
the top. We also went to have a look at the old rail cars parked in the Phillipsburg Rail
museum property.
At Mt. Parnassus, P Burg
Old rail cut, Mt Parnassus, P Burb
View of the former Morris Canal basin, Phillpsburg, from Mt. Parnassus
After stopping here, the next plan was to follow the former Lehigh Valley Railroad to
Warren Glen, first stopping briefly at Mount Parnassus.
We made our way through a town park, then through a cut in the fencework into a large
cut through Mt Parnassus made by the Lehigh Valley Railroad years ago. We walked
through the cut to a path leading to the top of the rock. This afforded us a terrific view of
the Delaware River, Phillipsburg, Easton, and Morgan Hill. It was particularly interesting
as many famous Morris Canal pictures were taken from here. We climbed back down a
very steep off trail route, then returned to the LV right of way, abandoned at this point.
Descending from Mt. Parnassus
Former LV railroad bridge in Phillipsburg
Former LV railroad bridge over South Main Street, Phillipsburg
We walked along, and there were lots of old rail era structures laying around. We crossed
an interesting old deck girder bridge over South Main Street, and then the right of way
took us through a cut before leading us back to the active CNJ right of way. The tracks
swap here, and the LV becomes the active line. We crossed the LV bridge parellel to
Green’s Bridge, and continued through Alpha, stopping to climb on a pedestrian bridge.
Pedestrian bridge in Alpha
Crossing former LV rail bridge next to Green's Bridge
From the pedestrian bridge in Alpha
Along foremr LV tracks south of Alpha
Former LV tracks near Warren Glen
When we reached the last little town area in Alpha, I decided to take the opportunity to
climd down onto Rt 519 to get us some beers. Skyler and Shay decided they’d had enough
at this point, and called for a taxi to pick them up.
It was beginning to get dark, but Tea Biscuit, Alf and I continued on toward Warren
Glen; there was once a spur line that went into Warren Glen to service paper mills which
we used from here. A train passed us just before we left the active track.
The right of way took us along the Musconetcong and past a power canal, then out to
where a trestle was missing over a small pond area at a Paper Mill. From here, we
followed the Musconetcong Gorge Preserve’s self guided nature trail up hil to the main
road, then headed down on the road to Warren Glen.
Falls in Musconetcong Gorge
Former LV rail spur in Warren Glen
Former LV rail spur in Warren Glen, an old bridge site
No comments:
Post a Comment