Hike #151; Warren Railroad

 Hike #151

Hike 151

Along the Warren RR near Bridgville and Sarepta

10/24/4

 

Having felt so well about doing the Tranquility hike previously, I felt comfortable enough

to post the Portland hike through the AMC, which I had wanted to do for some time.

Joining me this time were Cathy and David Noble, as well as Dave’s girlfriend Margot

Reybitz who went to school with him in Lehigh University, and two newcomers through the

AMC, Gerry Martiniak and John Iskrant. I found that I got along very well with Margot,

and she seemed quite into the hike, and from the bat John Iskrant, of Philidelphia, had a

great enthusiastic attitude. Gerry, a retired engineer from Quakertown PA turned out to be

quite a strong hiker; no terrain seemed to sway him, and while he does’nt push to go high

speed, he keeps a fast pace and seems to almost never need a break, even on uphills!

As always, we had to begin with a stop at the Port Mart, and I related the area history to

everyone. We crossed the Delaware Trestle and climbed inside, though I had to be a bit

careful as I was wearing one of my favorite shirts and sports jacket.

We also stopped in at Smiddy’s, where David got a six pack of Youngling I believe it

was. I don’t recall if he had one before the Shrub of Might or not, but he did ascend to it. I

don’t recall if I did, but if I did, I certainly must have removed my shirt first. Come to think

of it, I think I did. Cathy still did’nt climb to the shrub, and I don’t believe Margot, John or

Gerry did either.

Below the deck of the Delaware Trestle

Inside Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Along the former Warren Railroad near the sand quarry in Bridgeville

Former Warren Railroad trail in Oxford Twp

When we reached the tunnel, Cathy, David, and Margot opted to go over the top. I gave

them directions, and Gerry and John followed me through the tunnel after changing into

sandles or aqua socks. Unfortunitely, the three got lost crossing over the top of the tunnel.

Apparently, they turned right at the field when I told them to go straight. David says it was

all the women’s fault. Cathy was mad at David for allegedly throwing an ear of corn at

them. After a while of waiting and yelling at the other side, I ran back over the mountain

looking for them. When I could’nt find them, I led Gerry and John to Upper Sarepta Road

and headed out, calling for Cathy. I finally was able to hear them west of the railroad grade

in the fields. They were on the other side of Catherine’s Run, so they had to get to a way

around. By the time we all regrouped, we were over an hour behind!

We continued south, crossing the sand pit, then headed south to Buttsville.

Along Warren Railroad trail in Oxford

North portal of the Oxford Tunnel area.

“We stopped at Hot Dog Johnny’s and ate in the back. I had been there three times, and

this was the first time we sat on the grass in the back” -Cathy

After crossing 46 at Buttsville, we headed toward Oxford. Though it was cloudy, it still

was’nt too cold. This made it easy to decided we would pass through the Oxford Tunnel.

Again, only Gerry and John were willing to pass through. Cathy had left her car in Oxford,

and cut out there. David and Margot passed over the tunnel on Rt 31.

The tunnel was’nt too bad, we managed walking through the silt without falling in, and

soon caught up with David and Margot. It had gotten a bit dark by the time we reached

Washington, but overall the hike went great, and everyone seemed to enjoy it quite a lot.