Hike #275 3/25/7
3/25/7
Warren Railroad with Eldon Allen, Cathy Fisher, Scott "Tea Biscuit" Helbing, Fred Hafale, Russ Moyer, "Amish Paul" and Wyatt Hassler, "Action Adam" Stevens, Bill "Guillermo" Fabel, Ron Lozowski, Ron Phelps, Larry Butler, Dave Riedel, Susan "Suze" Zeleznik, Punchika "Noyna" Chomsain, Dave "Captain Soup" Campbell, Conrad Blease, Dave Finton, Lynn Hummel, Julie Satmari, Jack Lowry, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Eric Pace, Matt Davis, "Major Tom" Conroy, Jim Delotto, Gianna Delotto, and RJ Morholt
Group shot at the beginning
My grandfather and I in Colombia NJ
Colombia NJ
Colombia NJ, the beginning
Colombia NJ
Colombia NJ
Colombia NJ
Starting 10 year anniversary Warren RR hike.
Starting out
Starting off, Columbia NJ
Portland Colombia Foot Bridge
Foot bridge
Del Water Gap from the foot bridge
Portland Colombia Foot Bridge
Foot bridge
Foot bridge view south
Foot bridge view
Must...obey...
Portland station
Portland PA
Eagle's nest along the tracks in Portland PA
Tracks, Portland PA
Portland PA
Along the tracks in Portland
Portland PA
On the tracks in Portland
Along the tracks
hola
Just south of Portland PA
Delaware Trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Under the Delaware trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware trestle
Delaware Trestle
NJ side of the Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Former Blairstown Railroad cut in Delaware NJ
Delaware NJ
Delaware NJ
Delaware, NJ
In Delaware NJ
Delaware NJ
Delaware NJ
Delaware NJ, former station site on the Warren RR
Delaware NJ
Group shot in Delaware
Group shot
This hike would be my ten year anniversery hike. It was ten years prior I first led the hike from Portland to Washington, and I would lead it again on this occasion for the largest group I'd ever assembled. The previous night, we had our annual party at my house, which I even set up a tent for from Taylor Rental. We met at my house the following morning for the hike. We would end up having to move the cars to the Port Colden Mall because there was'nt enough parking between my driveway and the Port Colden Manor. It was great to have my grandfather, Eldon Allen, who started me off hiking at the age of three, joining us for the entire hike! At the age of 73, he was the oldest person on the trip. Other past participants joining at the beginning were my girlfriend, Cathy Fisher, my brother Scott "Tea Biscuit" Helbing, Conrad Blease (the only participant who was on the first hike ten years ago), Fred Hafale, Ron Phelps, Dave Finton, Julie Satmari, Jack Lowry, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, "Amish Paul Hassler, Wyatt Hassler, "Major Tom" Conroy, Eric Pace, Matt Davis, Russ Moyer, "Action Adam" Stevens, Bill "Guillermo" Fabel, Larry Butler, David Reidel, Dave "Captain Soup" Campbell, and newcomers Susan Zeleznik, Ron Lozowski (who I'd met on Rich Pace's canoe trip the previous Summer), Lynn Hummel, and Punchika " Noyna" Daemsain (spelling? I don't know!). My mom, my Aunt Bonnie, and Rich Pace showed up to drive us to Colombia NJ. In addition, Lynn and myself both took our cars to Colombia. It took a while to get everyone to sign the waiver and go over the trip at the beginning. When we were finally all together we made our way out onto the footbridge toward Portland, but paused for a moment of silence for our friend and Conrad's cousin, Ronald David Short, who died as a result of a fall from a railroad trestle almost a year prior. Ron Phelps had also lost a friend recently, so we had a moment of silence for absent friends. From here, we continued into Portland where we got Lehigh Valley Farms chocolate milk, as we always do at Port Mart. We then continued south on the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad headed for Washington. As we headed south, we saw some people who pointed out a Bald Eagle and it's nest. We continued passing the Portland Power Plant, then alongside a long train sitting on the track. Many of us were quite hung over, but still having a good time. We soon reached the Delaware Trestle. My grandfather and Fred waited on the PA side while some already began heading across. I climbed around under the piers as I always do. The NJ side of the trestle was very clear, and we all gathered there waiting for everyone to catch up. Mr. Buckett was at the end of the group. Julie did'nt like the trestle, but handled it well. Once back together, we continued down across Rt 46 and back up the other side, sprinting back up to the right of way. We continued into the town of Delaware, making our way by the former rail yard, then through the Sanico facility. Conrad and I shared some past memories of all the times we'd walked by here.
Group shot in Delaware
A bridge abutment in Delaware
Taking pictures
On the bridge abutment
Group pic
Weird group shot
Cathy walking to the group
Shots of getting the group shot
Off center!
The group
The group
Bridge pier shot
At the bridge site
Bridge site
Bridge site
Bridge site
Moving along...
Moving on out, Delaware NJ
Moving along
Moving along...
Moving along...
wtf?
Smitty's Deli
This was where my Great Grandmother was raised. This house was demolished in 2010.
Interesting signage...
Former Warren Railroad near Ramseyburg
Old Warren RR hike
Warren Railroad
Along the former Warren Railroad near Manunka Chunk. This was where I broke my ankle in 1991.
Former Warren Railroad
Captain Soup dumps a shoe
Along the old Warren Railroad near Manunka Chunk
Approaching Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk
Approaching Manunka Chunk
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk station site, Warren Railroad
Manunka Chunk
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Someone had set up this pirate in the Manunka Chunk Tunnel, which really freaked us out.
Pirate in Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk
In the tunnel
In the tunnel
Ice in Manunka Chunk tunnel
In Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel looking out, south
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
South side, Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Lunch?
South side, Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Near Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Near Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel, south side
Manunka ChunK Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
At Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Old Warren Railroad bed at Manunka Chunk
Catherine's Run making it's way down to the rail bed near the tunnel.
Crossing Catherine's Run
Crossing Catherine's Run
Crossing Catherine's Run
Inundated with water
Wading through Catherine's Run
Wading in Catherine's Run, on the rail bed
Catherine's Run where it flooded the rail bed
Catherine's Run where it flooded the rail bed
Crossing Catherine's Run at the former trestle site, former Warren Railroad
Crossing Catherine's Run at an old trestle site
Fields of Beaver Brook WMA near Sarepta
Beaver Brook WMA
Upper Sarepta Road
Sarepta area
Former Warren Railroad
The group resting on the corner of Sarepta Road and Ledge Road
Sarepta NJ, former rail crossing
Former Warren RR
Yogurt
Along the Warren RR bed near Sarepta
Action Scowl Adam
AAAAAAHHH!!!
Walking the rail bed
On the old Warren RR bed
Former Warren RR
Fields seen from the old Warren RR
Another former rail crossing
Bridgeville sand quarry
Land fill in the distance
Bridgeville Sand Quarry
Bridgeville sand quarry
sand pit
Action Sand Quarry Adam
Sand quarry
Sant pit
Crossing Bridgeville Sand Quarry
Bridgeville sand quarry
Former Warren RR
Former Warren RR
Along the old Warren RR bed near Bridgeville
Former Warren RR
Hot Dog Johnny's
Old Warren RR near Hot Dog Johnny's
Half the group already at Hot Dog Johnny's
The group congregating at Hot Dog Johnny's
Former Warren RR
Above Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's
At Hot Dog Johnny's
Pequest River
Hot Dog Johnny's lunch
At Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's
Rest stop at Hot Dog Johnny's
Hot Dog Johnny's Lunch
Rest stop at Jot Dog Johnny's
Lunch break at Hot Dog Johnny's
Former Warren Railroad in Buttsville NJ
Former Warren RR
Former RR bridge site, Rt 46
View from Pequest Viaduct
View from the top of Pequest Viaduct
Former Warren RR in Pequest WMA
RJ!
Warren RR bed in Pequest WMA
Pequest Cut
Pequest Cut
Pequest Road crossing, former Warren RR
Trail section in Oxford Twp
Oxford NJ
Lower Denmark Road, Oxford
Lower Denmark Road
Former rail bed, now Lower Denmark Road
Lower Denmark Road, former Warren RR
We continued on to the abutment to the bridge where I often times stop for group pictures. I had everyone go above and took several shots of the entire group before we moved on. We soon reached Smiddy's Deli and went in for refreshments. I talked to the owner a bit, an indian guy who had had the store for about 6 or 8 years. We chatted a bit, then moved on. In front of Smiddy's Ron Lozowski recognized my grandfather and said "Hey, did'nt you do a survey for me a couple months ago?". As it was, he had surveyed his property for him, and he joked that he would not have overcharged him if he'd known he would be hiking with him! We continued on, passing the former home of my great grandmother, followed by the site of my great great grandfather's saw mill, then his residence followed by his later residence which he built. We continued to the next road crossing where the sign still stood saying we were on camera and not to trespass. We totally ignored it for the first time, and many of us made our way up to the right of way, while the rest of the group followed Fred below out to Ramseyburg. Those of us on the right of way passed the "A Rock", and soon reached the Shrub of Might. I held the previous record for reaching the Shrub of Might in 15 seconds. Action Adam totally ousted my record I broke the previous September, by two seconds. Action Adam now held the Shrub of Might record with 13 seconds. I am still #2 with 15 seconds, PJ Goodwin has 17 seconds, and Ryan "Peeps" Short has 19 seconds. Everyone did surprisingly good this time reaching the Shrub of Might. Conrad claimed he earned the right to sit this one out. I did'nt give him a hard time since it was his idea to begin with. We soon reached Ramseyburg Road where the rest of the group was patiently waiting for us. We continued on on the railbed heading south. I pointed out to Action Adam how quickly the time will go by based on how far away the dip of Manunka Chunk Mountain was in view. Time always seems to go by very fast walking this stretch. I shared the story of how I broke my ankle at the motorcycle path along the way, and we soon reached Manunka Chunk Tunnels. Ron Lozowski had prior commitments and cut out here along the former Bel Del Railroad toward King Cole Grove on Rt 46 where he'd be picked up.Fred and my grandfather began leading some of the group over Manunka Chunk Mountain and the rest of us prepared to walk through. Mr. Buckett and Amish Paul also decided to go over the mountain at last minute, and fortunitely did not get lost. Larry, Tea Biscuit, Dave Riedel, Sue, Ron P, and Wyatt went through the tunnel. It was wetter inside than usual, and we got wet almost immediately upon entering. We made our way to the other side, having to navigate over large ice mounds along the way. The other side was also very muddy and wet. We continued to meet the rest of the group on the right of way ahead. Here, I gave everyone the option of following the parallel woods road with Fred, or staying on the wet right of way. Conrad, Moyna, Larry, Ron P, Dave R, Sue, Wyatt, Tea Biscuit, and I stayed on the right of way. It was very wet. Somehow, Conrad and Moyna managed to stay relatively dry. Sue and Dave R got pretty wet, after Sue had struggled not to get wet through the tunnel (Tea Biscuit even carried her through). When we reached the site of the bridge over Catherine's Run, the planks we had long used to cross were all rotten and broken. We had to use a fallen tree to get across. We made our way to the field adjacent to the right of way, and headed out to Upper Sarepta Road where we rejoined the rest of the group and continued south. We were able to get through on the right of way a bit easier than we did the previous trip, though there were still many trees fallen over the rail bed. We reached Sarepta Road and the group began to split up. Those who wanted to move faster continued on while others took a snack break. We continued soon, heading out across Harmony Station Road, then on to Bridgeville. The group did'nt wait for us here. I saw Fred and Dave F I believe heading toward the sand pit, while others were walking right. I looked through someone's binoculars to see who it was, and it appeared to be part of our group. As it turned out, my grandfather thought it would be overgrown ahead, so he led some of the group to the highway. The rest of my group headed out toward the sand pit. The sand pit surprisingly did not change much since our previous trip. We were able to walk across, and more easily along the rail bed than our last visit. We crossed quickly, but along the way Wyatt dropped one of his shoes out of his pack. Cathy and Moyna went back to help him find it. Moyna had seen it sitting there, and knew where to look. I went ahead to the rest of the group. We soon reached Hot Dog Johnny's and descended from the right of way. The entire group got back together here. In addition, we were joined by Jim Delotto and his daughter, Gianna (now the youngest person to attend one of my hikes at the age of 8), as well as RJ Morholt who had not hiked with me in a couple years. RJ had had trouble recently with his leg, as he'd broken it badly the previous year. He was only now able to handle a hike. Some of the group ate lunch along the river behind the restaurant while others were sitting on the walls and on benches. I ran around greeting everyone, and Ron P decided to go explore the old L&HR Railroad bridge nearby. When Ron rejoined us, we continued. We made our way back up to the railroad bed. Fred, Dave, my grandfather, Lynn, and probably a few others went ahead while the rest of us were behind. We made our way back up to the railroad grade and continued into Buttsville. When we reached the gas station where Rt 31 met Rt 46, the railroad fill had partially been torn out. We had to walk around it to the site of the bridge, then made our way up over the Pequest Viaduct. On the straightaways in Pequest Wildlife Management Area we were able to see the rest of the group further ahead. By the time we reached Pequest Cut we were almost all back together. We crossed Pequest Road and made our way along the paved trail section into Oxford. By this time the group split again with Fred fronting the faster group ahead, and Cathy leading the group behind with me in the middle. We walked up Lower Denmark Road into Oxford where we regrouped at the intersection.
Lower Denmark Road, Oxford
Oxford
HELP?
Rt 31 south of Oxford
Nearing Oxford Tunnel
Oxford Tunnel
Approaching Oxford Tunnel
Near Oxford Tunnel
Safety tunnel in the wall of Oxford Tunnel
Cave in inside Oxford Tunnel
Oxford Tunnel
Along former Warren RR
Break at Oxford Tunnel
Along Warren RR
In Oxford Tunnel
South side of Oxford Tunnel
South portal of Oxford Tunnel
Oxford Tunnel
Coming out of Oxford Tunnel
In Oxford Tunnel
Cascade at Oxford Tunnel
Oxford Tunnel
Oxford Tunnel
Warren Railroad heading toward Washington
Washington Township, Warren Railroad bed
Warren railroad bed in Washington Twp.
Warren rail bed in Washington boro
Warren rail bed in Washington boro
Spur to former American Can, Washington
Spur to former American Can, Washington
Washington railroad yard
Washington railroad yard
Abandoned Warren Plaza
And in the end....
Those of us who planned on going through the tunnel got in one group, those crossing over the tunnel were in another, and Cathy took Guillermo, who was feeling sick, Captain Soup, who was having trouble with his new shoes, Delotto, and Gianna to cut out early. Tea Biscuit, Ron P, Sue, Dave R, Larry, and Wyatt opted to go through the tunnel. Oxford looked a bit different because not even a week earlier, the Oxwall building, formerly a 19th century general store, burned down as a result of arson. The building was to be demolished anyway, sadly. My grandfather motioned us up to them shortly, as they were taking a break at the Oxford fire house. The group had talked to a fireman who pleaded with them not to go through the tunnel. He warned that it had caved in and the water was now neck deep and it would be impossible to get through. My grandfather was very worried and told us not to go through. I knew it would be fine, so I told him not to worry. The others began their walk on Rt 31 through Van Nest Gap while the rest of us made our way to Axford Avenue and the railroad bed. Some of the group changed into appropriate footwear to go through the tunnel with, then we made our way onto the muddy right of way. When we reached the mouth of the tunnel, it appeared to be the same as it usually looked. We began walking, and soon reached the thick silt (Wyatt later would bring up that he had to wash his pants twice to get the silt out of them!). It was tough to fight through the silt, but most of us had sticks which helped us with our balance. I saw my shoes on the mantle to the left, which I'd left in the tunnel back on Hike #13 in April of 2000! We continued through, taking a quick break at the little tunnel into the wall to warm our feet. We crossed the caved in section with no problems and soon were out of the water. We could see figures at the other side of the tunnel waiting for us. Some of the group decided to continue on when our lights were visible through the tunnel. It took us about 15 minutes more to get through the rest of the tunnel. Matt was at the mouth of the tunnel when we got there. We made our way through the wet area and soon met the rest of the group near some of the foundations at the south portal. After regrouping and some of us changing footwear again, we continued south. We stopped briefly at the Tree of Three to leave my walking stick. Heading south, we never caught up with the group ahead of us. They arrived in Port Colden probably twenty minutes ahead of the rest of us. After crossing Jackson Valley Road, the right of way was pretty flooded, which was expected with the week's snow meltoff. When we neared Warren Hills High School, the field which had the ATV track leading across from the school parking lot had been totally cleared to be used for a new football stadium that was under construction. In addition, a new addition was being added to the back of the High School, which only had the framework in place at this time. We continued past the Warren Lumber place, then along the active spur track into the Washington rail yard. I got a phone call from Conrad telling us he and Noyna had to leave (Conrad had to work the next morning in Washington DC!). Major Tom and Matt We crossed the Washington rail yard, checking out the former turntable along the way. We made our way onto the ATV paths to get out to the abandoned Warren Plaza (formerly Acme). Most of the group had left by the time we got to the Port Colden Mall. Many of us went back to my house to have some junk food and rest up a bit. Captain Soup and Cathy were nearly passed out on the couch when I got home. No one was really into celebrating much more, and while a few stayed for a bit, most of the group left. This was also the night of the Appalachian Mountain Club's Activities Social, but I decided to forego it because I'd already had more than enough excitement. Cathy drove me back to my car and I headed home, dead tired, but glad to have had such a great hike.
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