Hike #41
Beginning the hike in Frenchtown NJ
Hike 41
10/20/1
Since the somewhat recent walk on the Bel Del right of way between Frenchtown and
Lambertville, and the other section from Manunka Chunk south, I had the urge to connect
the gap in the railroad I had yet to walk, from Frenchtown north to Phillipsburg. I
immediately began calling friends to join. In the days preceding the hike, my friend Jason
Aquino drove me around looking for the route of the railroad using his GPS in the car.
The toll bridge in Frenchtown NJ
Group shot at the beginning, Frenchtown NJ
Along the Bel Del Railroad bed, Frenchtown NJ
Tea Biscuit was getting involved in parties and was less interested in joining at this time,
and Conrad, Ronald and the others were too busy. Still, I was able to convince Cathy to
come for part of the hike, while Bill Bill and Eric Pace would do the entire hike. Rich Pace
helped us out by dropping us off in Frenchtown, too busy to join in on the hike.
Being close to Halloween, I decided once again that hiking in the Star Trek: The Next
Generation unifoms would be fun. Bill Bill wore the gold operations officer uniform, and I
had my red captains’, complete with a Phaser!
Along the Bel Del rail trial in D&R Canal State Park just north of Frenchtown
The northern end of the Bel Del Rail Trail in D&R Canal State Park just north of Frenchtown NJ
Eric with the rails of the Bel Del line just south of Milford
We headed north on the abandoned right of way; just north of Frenchtown the state park
land ended. We continued on a narrow pathway following the rail bed, and soon we began
to see some rails. Soon the rails became clear and we were walking through a rail yard
used at the Milford Paper Mill (this mill closed two years later).
Bel Del Railroad at the yard in Milford
On the Hakihokakke Creek bridge for the Bel Del Railroad in Milford
Along Hakihokakke Creek, Milford NJ
We continued on, climbing down under the bridge over the Hakihokakke Creek in Milford to have a look
around. We stopped in Milford for snacks and drinks.
Bel Del Railroad below Milford Bluffs
Bel Del caboose passing us in the Narrows
The leaves were changing beautifully along the river, and we even had a refurbished
Belvidere and Delaware Train pass us on our way north (The railroad was reportedly
recently acquired by the Black River and Western Railroad which operates popular
excursion train rides). To my surprise, there were even Prickly Pear Cactus growing on
the Milford Cliffs, in what must be a mini desert environment. We also went inside an
abandoned passenger car which was on a siding in Holland Township near a power plant.
We took extreme caution as there appeared to be tons of wasps inside.
Along the former Bel Del in the Narrows
Bel Del engine passing us north of Milford NJ
Abandoned passenger car along the Bel Del just south of Rieglesvile
Passenger car just south of Rieglesville
Rieglesville NJ along the Bel Del
Rieglesville NJ
Crossing the Musconetcong River in Rieglesville NJ on the Bel Del line
Bel Del line in Rieglesville area
As we neared Rieglesville, we crossed the Musconetcong River, then saw Cathy off as
she had parked her car here earlier in the day. So the three of us continued northbound,
crossing the Pohatcong Creek, and passing huge lime kilns near Carpentersville. We talked
to a resident along the way as I recall, about the amound of trains that passed through.
Along the Bel Del north of Rieglesville
Along the Bel Del north of Rieglesville
Along the Bel Del north of Rieglesville
Giant kilns along the Bel Del tracks in Carpentersville
I think we were told one every two days at the time. Still, there were oftentimes a good
amount of weeds growing through the right of way. We got some interesting looks due to
our attire. The only place we were worried about was north of Carpentersville where the
tracks came close to a house, but no one gave us a problem, despite keep out signs.
Bill Bill on the Bel Del line near Carpentersville
Bill Bill on the Bel Del line near Carpentersville
There was much rejoicing as we passed under the somewhat new Rt 78 bridge (finished in
the 1980s, I walked across this bridge before it was open to public) as it meant we were
nearing Phillipsburg.
Rt 78 bridge over the Delaware River
Along the Bel Del Railroad on the south side of Phillipsburg NJ
Making our way north we first crossed the Lopatcong Creek, then passed the lumber
company. We walked around, spread out on what was once a large rail yard and
connection with the Lehigh Valley Railroad. We were a bit worried as we saw a tent
apparently the home to a derelect person. Using the walkie talkies, I soon came into
contact with Rich Pace, who was waiting for us at Union Square, which is where the Bel
Del Railroad station is in Phillipsburg, also the NJ side of the Northampton Street Free
Bridge, a gas station, and food stands. This was good news to me, as Bill Bill and I
thought we would have to walk up the hill to Summit Avenue where i lived (Summit Ave
lives up to it’s name when walking to it!). Maybe we did walk it, I don’t remember, but I
think we rode back up! Maybe someone else will remember....
“I know I was there, but I don’t have any memories..” -Bill Bill
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