Hike #31
Hike 31
On the former Bel Del tracks south of Belvidere NJ
4/13/1
With the coming of warm weather, I felt the itch to walk something new once again. I
decided to follow the Belvidere and Delaware Railroad south in the section I had’nt
walked between Belvidere and Phillipsburg. For this walk one I recruited Tea Biscuit and
his friend Luke Davis (whom we soon nicknamed “The Squirt” because he almost
creamed his pants dancing with some girl one time.) who was the son of Beth from
Family’s Pizza, and brother to my friend Melanie.
Group shot in Delaware NJ
We had my grandmother drop us off on the DL&W in Delaware, at Smiddy’s to walk
south to the Bel Del line. My hair was finally getting long enough that I could tie it back
which was a relief.
Group shot in Delaware NJ
Group shot in Delaware NJ
Climbing to the Shrub of Might
As we headed south, we reached the access road near Ramseyburg, and to our surprise,
tape had been put across the ATV path, and four good sized pipes were layed in a trench
down the road. Still, we did the Bush of Might activity, though we were a bit nervous
about being caught there.
Former Manunka Chunk junction site; the Bel Del railroad ties still hanging over the edge of the wash out area.
In Manunka Chunk Tunnel
We continued to the Bel Del after goofing off at the Manunka Chunk Tunnel, and making
our way around Roche was not much more difficult than it had been in the past.
This time, I decided to try a new route back to the Bel Del, which is still active to
Phillipsburg.
Along the Bel Del railraod right of way south of Manunka Chunk
Along the Delaware north of Belvidere
Along the Delaware north of Belvidere
We opted to follow the fence outside Roche where it turns up hill. It took us
along a line of cedars and what might have been a rail spur, then out to the tracks at the
gate. Tea Biscuit found a derail sign, and having heard the stories of Shayne’s sign on the
first hike, he needed to unscrew this one and take it home.
Bel Del Railroad in Belvidere
Bel Del Railroad. Tea Biscuit found a derail sign
Trestle over the Pequest in Belvidere
South of Belvidere, Foul Rift area along the Bel Del line.
Railroad tracks near Foul Rift
A train passing by near Brainards NJ
On the way south, we stopped at Skoogy’s, and passed a train near the old L&HR
junction. We soon passed Chimney Rock, a famous rock formation, now with a mini home
satellite dish on it. Walking south, we passed the Roxburg Branch, a rail siding with a
bridge that was built to service a power plant, formerly Roxburg Station of Pacific Power
and Light, it’s now called Martin’s Creek PP&L, although its’ a distance north of that
location. When we reached Brainards, which was the NJ side of Martin’s Creek PA, we
passed another train, and a dog came along; it scared us at first but was very friendly.
As we continued, we passed through some residential areas, then very close to the road,
still parallel to the Delaware River the entire time. In the recent weeks, a woman had been
found dead in this area, supposedly a prostitute. This did not phase us much, although it
should have.
Train going by near Brainards NJ
This dog came out for some attention in Brainards area
It got quite dark as we entered the north side of Phillipsburg on the road, which parallels
the railroad to the east. Soon, a police officer pulled over and asked what we were up to. I
told him we were doing a hike, and he generously offered us a ride back up the hill to my
house. He wanted to see my license, but I could not find it! He was alright with it, and was
on his way. Beth had left several messages on my answering machine, worried about
Luke. I drove him and Tea Biscuit home in my 86 Camaro I had recently bought. Another
interesting story to add to a long list!
“I remember being fat and having lots of trouble around mile 18. Scott came into my
room while i was sleeping that day and started throwing clothes at me. He wouldnt let me
sleep so I decided I'd agree to come. It was a lot of fun, but when it came to being an out
of shape fat kid it wasnt that special. Haha.” -Squirt
Yeah, I remember you had enought by the end. You were self conscious too, hiding when
I had the camera out.
Here's where you can see all of the pictures from this hike!
Bel Del Railroad. Tea Biscuit found a derail sign
Trestle over the Pequest in Belvidere
South of Belvidere, Foul Rift area along the Bel Del line.
A train passing by near Brainards NJ
Train going by near Brainards NJ
This dog came out for some attention in Brainards area
Railroad tracks near Foul Rift
No comments:
Post a Comment