Hike #69
Starting in Union Square Phillipsburg
Hike 69
9/21/2
Tea Biscuit had missed the previous time I did this hike, so I figured we’d do it again. I
believe it was our grandmother who helped us spot the Camaro in Frenchtown, and
dropped us off in Phillipsburg’s Union Square. I figured it would be cool to do this hike in
opposite order this time. It was a wednesday, and I now had Wednesdays off of work, as I
had begun working at the Wal Mart in Mansfield Twp. on 9/11/2.
Former Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad bridge in Phillipsburg to Easton
Bel Del Railroad view down the Delaware near the Rt 78 underpass
We began walking, exploring bridges and such in P Burg along the way. When we
reached the southern end of Phillipsburg, I was surprised to see some of the railroad ties
were being replaced near the lumber company. Throughout the next few miles, we saw
several replaced ties. I later found that the track was being prepared to for excursion train
use.
Old brick wall south of Phillipsburg
South side of Phillipsburg, a culvert under the former Bel Del line
Ladder below the former Bel Del Railroad south of Phillipsburg
Culvert below the former Bel Del Railroad
Small falls below the Bel Del Railroad in Carpentersville NJ. Some of these outstanding little places are nearly missed, just barely out of sight. We explored like this even on some of the earliest @[169631143073432:274:Metrotrails] hikes.
Old kilns along the Bel Del tracks, Carpentersville NJ
Also, at some sort of creek culvert, we also found brick building ruins which we
explored a bit. After climbing around under the culvert, we continued south.
We also stopped to climb the old lime kilns near Carpentersville
Some sections of the railroad were becomeing so overgrown it looked like a picture out
of another state. My friend Brandon at Wal Mart said some of my pictured looked like a
“damn Alabama scene”.
My friend Brandon Miles once told me "Y'know that looks like a damn Alabama scene"...and he's right, and I love it. My favorite shot from this one, just south of Carpentersville.
Kilns along the tracks in Carpentersville NJ
Bel Del Railroad in Carpentersville NJ
Rieglesville Roebling bridge over the Delaware
Former Bel Del line south of Rieglesville NJ
Former Bel Del line south of Rieglesville
When we reached Rieglesville, we walked out and back across the bridge, and I believe
we stopped for food on the PA side at a little bar.
Continueing south from Rieglesville, we passed the Milford Cliffs, where we met an older
couple filling water jugs from a poteable spring. The couple had been filling their water
here for some time. We were happy to get some, as we were running low. Also, the cliffs
were growing Prickly Pear Cactuses, apparently a kind of mini desert climate.
Milford Bluffs in the Narrows
Along Milford Bluffs
Along the Bel Del Railroad in Milford NJ
Stopping for a snack in Milford NJ
Milford Railroad Station
Entering the rail yard in Milford NJ
Caboose and F Unit diesel engine near the paper mill, Milford NJ.
Inside an old diesel engine, Milford NJ
Soon, we reached Milford, where we stopped in a town market. Tea Biscuit was hitting
on a cute girl inside, who apparently had a jock boyfriend working with her. Somehow,
during conversation, Tea Biscuit put the jock down, saying “I’m not a jock. I don’t play
sports”. He looked a bit irked by it, and Tea Biscuit though it was hilarious.
Heading south, we soon passed through the Milford rail yard behind the paper mill. There
was an old diesel engine on a track, so we decided to go in and check it out. The massive
engines inside were incredible.
Old Diesel engine, Milford NJ
The old diesel engine in Milford NJ
Inside the engine of the diesel locomotive, Milford NJ
Engine of the diesel locomotive in Milford NJ
Former Bel Del Railroad, now a trail just north of Frenchtown NJ
We entered the woods on the now abandoned section of the Bel Del Railroad, soon
reaching the trail section. It did not take too long before we reached the camaro and
headed to our grandparents’ house for dinner.
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