Nearing the end in Valley Forge's north section
I was excited about this hike because it meant that after a long stretch of hikes that were a lot of scouting and bushwhacking we were finally headed to the huge trail system of Philadelphia. We were starting on a series of interconnected trails that would take years to ever complete...and we may never! More importantly, it was our first time meeting "Commando Tom" Petrucci!
2/16/8 Perkiomen Trail; Green Lane-Valley Forge with "Amish Paul" and Wyatt Hassler, Russ Moyer, Marge Brennan, "DJ Ray" Cordts, Larry Butler, Tom Petrucci, and Eric Pace
Perkiomen Trail at Green Lane PA
Bridge over the Perkiomen Creek, now Perkiomen Trail. Once a vehicular road.
Perkiomen Trail; former Perkiomen Branch of the Reading Railroad
Heading south on Perkiomen Trail
Perkiomen Trail
Dam on the Perkiomen Creek at Spring Mount PA
me
Perkiomen Trail near Grateford PA
Old railroad trestle, now a trail, in Grateford PA
Perkiomen Trail in northern Collegeville
Perkiomen Trail in Collegeville
South side of Collegeville along Perkiomen Trail
Reading Railroad bed, now Perkiomen Trail south of Collegeville
Perkiomen Trail south of Collegeville
Perkiomen Trail approaching Oakes.
Perkiomen Trail in Oakes vicinity
Perkiomen Trail/Schuykill River trail in the northern part of Valley Forge where there are ruins.
After hike hanging out
happy
My next hike would connect with the recent trip I had done to Green Lane Resevoir, and we would head south to Valley Forge National Park. We met in Valley Forge in the morning. Jason Itell was supposed to co lead this with me, but he had an unfortunite skiing accident and was not able to walk. Still, he was able to help us with the car shuttle. Joining us this time were "Amish Paul" and Wyatt Hassler (though Paul joined only for part of the trip, following us on his bicycle), DJ Ray Cordts, Russ Moyer, Gerry Martiniak, Marge Brennan, Larry Butler, and newcomer Thomas Petrucci. Jason and I drove up to Green Lane to park on Green Street where we met up with Russ. We walked a short distance from Green Street to the main drag in Green Lane and walked to the former grade crossing of the Perkiomen Railroad, now part of the Perkiomen Trail (and once part of the Philidelphia and Reading Railroad system). We took a brief stop in a mini mart for nourishment first. Wyatt got a big bag of party mix and DJ Ray got a box of Strawberry Newtons which we devoured. We continued on the rail bed/trail on the route we'd followed for the previous visit, and turned right from the rail bed when a trestle ahead was blocked off. We opted not to try and get on it since we had such a long trip ahead of us. The trail led us around the edge of the resevoir and then we crossed a large dammed area to the visitor's center where I was able to pick up a map of both Green Lane Park and the entire Perkiomen Trail (which was very handy.). We could'nt tell by judging the map which way to turn to get on the trail, but we continued along a path heading sort of south to an access road where we picked up the trail. This trail was very nice, and it's honestly hard to recall all of the conditions because they were constantly changing. Leaving Green Lane, I recall following an improved crushed stone path through grassy areas while screwing with my camera trying to get my batteries to work properly (the batteries go dead a lot when it's cold). This trail led us to road, which it followed briefly, then crossed a nice bridge which was originally meant for vehicles, but was closed for pedestrian use only. I think this was part of Perkiomenville Road. We followed some roads briefly which led us to the abandoned Perkiomen Railroad, which I believe was a Reading Railroad line. We turned right following the right of way as a trail. To the north of us the right of way seemed to be built over and unaccessable. I think this was on Crusher Road. We continued south, with each road labeled as we crossed them. Gerry told us about interesting spots along the way as we walked. Tom and I chatted about Beatles music as we hiked the easy terrain. I was happy that a lot of the time they utilized a soft base rather than crushed stone surface like many rail trails do. It was very easy on the feet. We also crossed a nicely decked trestle over the Perkiomen Creek. I think it was soon we reached a village called Spring Mount. The rail bed ahead was closed to the public, so the trail turned left across to the other side of the Perkiomen Creek, then along a paved section of trail along the creek. We passed some ski lifts on the left, then made a steep ascent as the trail became a crushed stone surface. We wandered through some woods and along a section of the trail which Gerry said was pretty new, then descended to a road bridge across to the rail bed again. The rail bed to the south, at least for a ways where we missed it, seemed to be a trail for a while. Maps I have show that it is a proposed trail called Swamp Creek Trail. We continued on into Schwenksville and hiked the rail bed for the most part, deviating a bit, through the middle of town and then toward Centrail Perkiomen Valley Park. On the way there was even a spot where the trail turned right to the road around one house, then back around it to the rail bed. We soon reached the park area where we met up with Eric Pace. I had him move his car to a nearby grocery store before we moved on. The trail descended from the rail bed to creekside as I recall for a quite a while, and I think it even crossed over the creek on a pedestrian bridge. The trail continued on the other side on both access roads and improved crushed stone pathways leading to an abandoned railroad spur line trestle over Perkiomen Creek. There was a trail that broke away below which I believe was part of the Evansburg Loop Trail. We used this trestle to get to the other side of the creek, then continued through Grateford (used to be called Grater's Ford) and then on through a place called Rahns. I can't recall if we were moreso on rail bed or creekside trail through here, but I'm sure it was nice... We soon crossed over Rt 29 I think it was staying on the rail bed, which began ascending parallel to the road into the middle of Collegeville. We decided to take a break here, and Wyatt and I went off because I wanted to find a liquor store for some wine. The others went into a bar and McDonalds I think. The liquor store I found would not sell me any wine because Wyatt was with me, and so I was unhappy. I should have gone with Larry, DJ Ray, and Amish Paul who went to a bar. Fortunitely, as we continued on the trail/rail bed out of town, Amish Paul was my savior as he bought me a bottle of chardonnay! We continued south, and the trail went onto a beautiful shelf above the Perkiomen Creek. The rail bed was still very recognizeable and in good shape. We continued on this nice trail section to I think it was Upper Indian Head Road where the rail bed was obliterated by some industry. We had to turn left, then right as the trail followed an old paved road that was closed to traffic alongside the creek. We continued on this road heading south and reached an area my map calls Oakes and Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. We continued on following alongside the creek and then ascended onto a concrete bridge, which I think was a rehabilitated railroad bridge, then turned off on the other side. We began following alongside Rt 422, the Pottstown Expressway. We paralleled this for a bit, and I think it was after this part of the Schuykill River Trail. We continued following what appeared to be an abandoned railroad bed on the trail which led out to the Pottstown Expressway again, and we ascended to the bridge walkway across the Schuykill River. There were piers to an old bridge parallel with us out in the water, apparently part of an old road that used to cross. On the north side it's called South Trooper Road, on the south it's County Line Road. We crossed the bridge, then crossed over a road way and entered the Valley Forge National Park section where we parked in the morning, soon reaching the cars. We decided to have dinner at Hooters nearby, which was quite happy.
Photos by Mike Helbing
1.) On the Perkiomen Trail in Green Lane PA2.) Bridge over the Perkiomen Creek along Perkiomen Trail. Once a former road, probably Perkiomenville Road.3.) Wyatt on Perkiomen Trail, here formerly the Perkiomen Branch of the Reading Railroad4.) Heading south on Perkiomen Trail5.) Heading south on Perkiomen Trail6.) A dam along the Perkiomen Trail where it crosses the creek on a road bridge in Spring Mount I think7.) Me along Perkiomen Trail8.) Perkiomen Trail along a section of paved access road near Grateford I think9.) Old railroad trestle turn trail I think in Grateford10.) Rail bed, Perkiomen Trail in northern Collegeville11.) Amish Paul and I in Collegeville on Perkiomen Trail12.) Road crossing on Perkiomen Trail/Former rail bed in Collegeville13.) Rail bed south of Collegeville14.) Larry and Tom on the rail bed south of Collegeville15.) The trail emerging at a place I think is called Oakes16.) Perkiomen Trail in Oaks vicinity17.) Perkiomen Trail/Schuykill River Trail in part of Valley Forge18.) Old building along the Schuykill in Valley Forge, northeast side19.) Mr. Buckett and Wyatt20.) Mr. Buckett, Amish Paul, and Wyatt
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