Hike #40
The group on an old bridge abutment in Delaware NJ.
9/30/1
For my fortieth hike, on a beautiful September day, what better way to celebrate with yet
another visit to the Portland hike. I was bent on assembling a larger group, and the
weather forecast was cooperationg. Tea Biscuit was of course signed on, and Peeps was
also excited about doing it, having heard so much about it. Ronald was eager to come out
and bring his new girlfriend, Natisha (whom he met at an amusement park) to experiance
the hike he’d done so many times. Also, Bill Bill was finally free to join again. In addition,
Rich and Eric Pace were very interested, and Peeps brought his friend who we called
“Mint” due to his extreme behavior. Rich and Eric Pace were both fans of the railroad, and
were both willing to do at least part of the hike.
The group along the right of way in Delaware NJ near Smiddy's store.
The group at the beginning in Columbia NJ
We headed out in the morning, leaving Rich’s car in Buttsville, then having my mom drop
us off in Colombia. Everybody was having a blast, goofing off from the start. We did the
usual, crossing the footbridge and stopping in Port Mart for Choco Milk. When we
reached Portland, Peeps called to have the his friend by the name of Urbanski join us. he
showed up shortly.
On the Colombia Portland Footbridge
Colombia Portland Foot Bridge
Delaware Water Gap from the Portland foot bridge
Colombia Portland Foot Bridge
On Colombia Portland Foot Bridge
In Portland PA
Heading south on the tracks there were several rail cars which we of course needed to
climb around on.
Tracks in Portland PA
Railroad cars in Portland PA
On a railroad car, Portland PA
On a railroad car, Portland PA
Portland PA
On railroad cars, Portland PA
Along the Lackawanna tracks, Portland PA
Portland Generation Station
This was certainly a group for climbing around, as we were all over the
Delaware Trestle as well.
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Delaware Trestle
Passing through Delaware was also a big event, Tea Biscuit
started walking around with his pants down. I believe it was that day Tea Biscuit found a
shoe on the ground, and brought it into the restroom at the Delaware gas station,
dropping it into the toilet. If that was’nt on this one, it was the one with the Squirt a little
earlier. Also in Delaware was an old caboose, parked on a trailer in great disrepair, with
it’s wheels sitting behind it. There was also a little toy caboose sitting in it’s framework.
In Delaware NJ, Tea Biscuit dropped his pants
Road crossing in Delaware NJ
Road crossing near the old station site in Delaware NJ
Old caboose that sat in Delaware NJ
Old caboose that sat in Delaware NJ
Soon, we passed through a garbage container place (we always had), just a paved area
with a lot of junk by the caboose, and stopped in a pavilian left on the property.
Bridge abutment, Delaware NJ
Classic group shot, Delaware NJ
We crossed the next road where only one bridge abutment remains, and had to walk
around the right of way to the east because it was too overgrown to stay right on it. When
I first started leading this hike we had to walk along the highway, but could now get closer
to the right of way. We continued across an open field area before stopping in Smiddy’s.
The group along the right of way in Delaware NJ near Smiddy's store.
The group in Delaware NJ
"The A Rock" south of Delaware NJ
Warren Railroad bed near Ramseyburg
When we continued north of Delaware, the right of way was getting more overgrown
because it was gated with serious looking no trespassing signs, also claiming that we were
on camera. Rich was first to say that should not make a difference on a railroad grade. We
opted to ignore it, climbing up and exploring the “A Rock”, We also of course climbed to
the Bush of Might.
At the Shrub of Might, near Ramseyburg
The access road was also now gravelled over and manicured more
since the last visit. Since then, a cell tower had been built on the hillside. Along the way,
Mint insisted on running through the weeds rather than the clearer path. Incredible!
Warren Railroad bed in Ramseyburg
Warren Railroad bed just north of Manunka Chunk
Warren Railroad bed just north of Manunka Chunk
We continued on to the Manunka Chunk Tunnel, and everyone passed through. Mint had
a big stick he had found earlier, then some old rope, and a lighter. He decided to make a
torch. He also managed to find an old mattress which he used material from to hold his
torch together.
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Me at Bel Del Railroad right of way at Manunka Chunk Junction
Me at Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Cave in inside Manunka Chunk Tunnel's eastern side.
Path over the Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Natisha at Manunka Chunk Tunnel
To my surprise, it worked very well! Though I brought a flashlight this
time, it did no good while the torch was burning. When we reached the watered section he
had some trouble keeping it burning, but he always got it re-lit. Rich commented that it
was the weirdest place I’d brought him as we walked through.
Inside Manunka Chunk Tunnel with our torch
Inside Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Navigating Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel with our torch
Looking out of the south end of Manunka Chunk Tunnel
When we reached the fields at the south portal, Tea Biscuit and Mint had already begun
searching for stuff to make the torch for the Oxford Tunnel. They went way overboard
grabbing every ridicules weed they could find. Mint even found a bucket to carry his
kindling. They added more as we walked.
South end of Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Beaver Brook Wildlife Managment Area Meadows
The fields of Beaver Brook WMA near Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Making torches near Sarepta
Crossing Sarepta Road on the former Warren Railroad
Crossing Sarepta Road, former Warren RR
When we reached Bridgeville, we stopped in an antique store partially built in the old
Bridgeville Station, which was interesting.
In the old Bridgeville Station, at the time a store
As we neared the sand pit, the large dirt piles were more overgrown than ever, but we
still decided to traverse them. The sand pit was a dishaster, as it had been dug out more
than ever, with extremely steep cliffs dug out of the dirt. We had to make our way down
and across the rough terrain. Tea Biscuit and Bill Bill decided to sprint across and race to
the top of the other side. Everyone goofed off for a bit and then we continued on.
Nearing Bridgeville sand quarry
Nearing the sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
Sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
Sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
Sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
Sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
Sand quarry, Bridgeville NJ
We took one break in Buttsville at the cemetary before reaching Rt 46 where Rich cut out.
Eric decided he wanted to continue on.
Taking a break in Buttsville by the cemetery
Taking a break in Buttsville by the cemetery
Taking a break in Buttsville by the cemetery
Tea Biscuit and Bill Bill started wrestling too.
Tea Biscuit and Bill Bill wrestling near the Rt 46 crossing in Buttsville
As we entered Oxford Township on the old farm road section, Tea Biscuit decided to
give Mint a hug, and the two of them tumbled to the ground, Mint spilling his bucket
everywhere. I remember walking and just hearing this enourmous crash, seeing the two of
them flailing about on the ground.
Tea Biscuit tried to give a hug along the former rail bed, Oxford Twp. They both fell into a mess and dumped the bucket.
Warren Railroad bed just north of Oxford
Warren Railroad bed just north of Oxford
This time, we walked along Lower Denmark Road, once the right of way, rather than
along Rt 31 as we had previously. This became a regular practice from this point as it
was’nt much further and it was more true to the goal of the walk. Tea Biscuit and Bill Bill
stayed on the highway anyway.
Lower Denmark Road, Oxford
After a stop in Oxford, Bill Bill, Eric, Ronald and Natisha
headed out along the highway while the rest of us went for the tunnel. While in Oxford,
Mint purchased a bottle of lighter fluid to use on his torch. He and Peeps stripped down to
their boxers to navigate the tunnel, and the torches were lit. We had to keep stopping to
douse them with lighter fluid. Mint’s was the only one lit the entire time because he had
the fluid. Tea Biscuit had to keep re lighting his.
North side of Oxford Tunnel
In Oxford Tunnel
In Oxford Tunnel
In Oxford Tunnel, the old raft
In Oxford Tunnel
South side of Oxford Tunnel
Using the walkie talkies, we kept in Contact with Rich, who parked along Rt 31 at the
south portal and walked down to meet us. We also were able to talk to Ronald while in
the tunnel, probably because the signal was piggybacked against Rich’s further down. Rich
actually met us about halfway through the tunnel, and tried to get Eric to head home for
dinner, but he was insistant that he finish the hike.
Former bridge site on Jackson Valley Road, Washington
In Washington railroad yard
Weird train in Washington railroad yard
I believe Ronald and Natisha cut out somewhere here, I recall a guy they knew was
photographing the tunnel and they hitched a ride with him. I’m sure Peeps and Mint
completed the hike, but I’m not sure who else was there at the end. The three of us
climbed on a weird engine in the Washington Rail yard at the end. I have pictures of that,
and Eric finished as well, because Rich was trying to get him to come home at the tunnel,
but he was adamant about completing the hike. Maybe the participants will remember
better...
Washington rail yard
Washington rail yard
“All I got for my comments is water is really cold in that tunnel. We went through and my
handmade torch with which iIlit my shirt on fire.” -Mint
“Hell yeah. We were all feelin good on that hike. That was an easy hike.” -Peeps
“I know I was there, but I don’t have any clear memories. I remember there being a lot of
people which made the discussion not as fun.” -Bill Bill
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