Hike #138
Along Dagmar Dale Trail in Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
6/27/4
I could not post this next hike through the AMC just yet, as my leadership was not yet
totally approved, but still I was able to get Cathy, Tea Biscuit, Skyler, and newcomer John
Spiridon to join in for a scouting hike. John had contacted me after reading an interview
with me in Skylands Visitor Magazine.
Former NYS&W Hanford Branch in Sussex NJ
Along the former Hanford Branch in Sussex NJ
Old bridge site over Papackating Brook Sussex
Old Hanford Branch in a field south of Sussex
Old Hanford Branch south of Sussex
Fields south of Sussex
Old Hanford Branch, now a road in Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge, Dagmar Dale Nature Trail
Along Dagmar Dale Nature Trail, Wallkill NWR
As planned for this one, we would begin in the town of Sussex, NJ (which used to be
called Deckertown), where we would try to find the right of way of the Hanford Branch of
the New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railroad. We would follow this railbed to
Franklin where we would pick up the former Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad south to
Andover, where we had last followed it.
We left my car in Andover at the Sussex Branch Trail parking area, located near it’s
former L&HR junction site, and then headed to Hamburg NJ where we left Cathy and
John’s cars so they could cut out early. We then headed to Sussex and parked our cars in
a mini mart parking lot near where the railroad once went.
We began walking the roads, looking for rail remnants when I saw an old timer, whom
we asked for directions to it. He of course knew, pointed out that a station was nearby,
and we followed roads parallel to where the tracks once were. Some places in broken up
sections were walkeable, though full of weeds. We walked past some building ruins, then
across part of someone’s yard near their swimming pool looking for remains of the
railroad. We somehow lost it here where the right of way turned more south, and we had
to walk more streets to reach the rest of it. Fortunitely, we found it and were able to walk
it for a short distance before it took us out behind the Sussex A&P food store. We went
inside and got some food, and I believe Skyler and Tea Biscuit went and got Chinese
Food.
“John was eating organic bananas, and he did’nt know they were organic; he just peeled
them and ate half an entire banana in one motion! He also bought a french bread loaf. I
had a sandwich from the Deli, and you were in getting free cookies at the bakery.”
--Cathy
Oh, I forgot about that. Yeah, John loves eating lots of fruit and veggies...even if it’s raw!
After stopping at the store, we headed south, finding the right of way posted with signs
forbidding to trespass. I stressed over it a bit, but everyone was totally into going in there,
so we did. Soon, the right of way led us to where there was once a bridge over the
Papackating Brook, and the Lehigh and New England Railroad.
We saw a ranger giving ATV riders tickets, and I was a bit more stressed, but he said as
long as we were walking it was alright. We could’nt get across to the next part of the right
of way, so we headed back out to the highway, using it’s bridge across the river, then we
bushwhacked back to the right of way. Some of it was recognizeable in the woods, while
other parts were in weedy fields. Soon, we came to a point where the Wallkill National
Wildlife Refuge had paved part of the right of way as an access road. We followed the
road through more posted areas to the next road crossing. Directly across, the railroad
was now a trail called the “Duck Pond Trail”. This was our route, but we decided to walk
up the road to the north to do another trail section called the Dagmar Dale Nature Trail. It
was a beautiful mowed trail loop, with a nice view of the Wallkill Valley.
Along Dagmar Dale Nature Trail, Wallkill NWR
Along Dagmar Dale Nature Trail, Wallkill NWR
Along Duck Pond Trail, Wallkill NWR
Along Duck Pond Trail, Wallkill NWR
Old Hanford Branch, now a trail in Wallkill NWR
Wallkill NWR
Turtles in Wallkill NWR
Turtles in Wallkill NWR
View into Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
Swimming the Wallkill at an old bridge site in the NWR
We soon continued back along the road to the railroad bed, which was nice and clear for
some time, until we reached where it crossed the Wallkill River. The land around it was
very beautiful, though swampy, and I did not want to try to go to the road to get to the
next section again. Cathy and John opted to fight their way to the road. Tea Biscuit,
Skyler, and I opted to swim the river instead. There were timbers in the water, as the old
railroad bridge was apparently wooden.
The next section of the right of way was very overgrown, and we made our way out to
the next road. Unfortunitely, I could not find the next section of the railbed. In addition,
Cathy and John were missing. I sent Tea Biscuit and Skyler ahead on the road, and I ran
back to a farm market asking them if they’d seen anyone with Cathy and John’s
description. They had, so I turned around and ran back to the south. I later found out the
railroad crossed the highway directly where we came out.
Along former Hanford Branch in Wallkill NWR
Former LHR railroad in Hamburg NJ
Along former LHR railroad near Franklin
Former LHR railroad in Franklin NJ
We continued into the center of Hamburg. Tea Biscuit and Skyler were no where to be
found by the time I found Cathy and John. We waited near Cathy’s car for them, only to
see them walking up the highway drinking 40s of Budweiser in brown bags! I noted how
they were truly asking for it by having open containers walking right down the street, but
they did’nt seem to care. I should also add Tea Biscuit was still only 18 at the time!
Former junction site with the Franklin Branch of the DL&W, and the LHR lines, Franklin NJ
Former LHR railroad south of Franklin
Former LHR railroad south of Franklin
Former LHR railroad along Lake Grinnell
Former LHR railroad in Sparta area
We said goodbye to Cathy and John, and the three of us continued to the L&HR tracks,
still active at this point, and headed south. I soon found another liquor store where I was
able to buy a beer and catch up with Skyler and Tea Biscuit. As we walked south to
Franklin, the former NYS&W Hanford Branch’s right of way paralleled us to the west for
some time along the water of the Wallkill River.
As we continued south out of Franklin, there were beautiful famlands, and a lake that sat
directly alongside the tracks, making for beautiful scenery. When we reached the Sparta
rail yard, Skyler climbed a train. We fortunitely did not see any active trains here. It is
reported that this particular railroad does not take kindly to trespassers.
As we continued south, we reached the end of the active part of the L&HR Railroad.
There were a few thick weedy parts, but we were able to follow it easily for the most part.
There was one spot where we had to walk along the lawns of apartments adjacent to the
right of way, but we soon were able to get back on it.
Former LHR area at Sparta Junction
Pond along the former LHR right of way near Sparta Junction
End of the active LHR railroad south of Sparta Junction
Heading south, we passed by another beautiful lake, but it was beginning to get too dark
to enjoy it. We were also getting very tired. When we neared Kittatinny Valley State Park,
we decided to jog for a while. The ties were still in place, and I soon tripped and smashed
my knee onto one of the ties badly, but did my best to get up and keep running.
Next, we were running on the right of way, continually getting darker, and something in
the weeds ahead of us to the right began to run toward us. We stopped, and as the object
got too close we turned around and ran like hell in the opposite direction. I remember
seeing something that looked black step out in front of us. I had assumed that it was a
bear we had startled. We did not wait around to make certain, and we walked the road the
rest of the way back to Andover, stopping in a gas station to call Cathy and let her know
we were alright. This was another after 10 pm finisher!
Along former LHR railroad bed south of Sparta Junction
Former LHR railroad bed near Lake Aeroflex, Kittatinny Valley State Park
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