Hike #554 4/17/11
4/17/11 Lambertville/Bulls Island/Lumberville/New Hope with Shelly Janes, Jack Lowry, Susan Duncan, Eric Pace, Heather Romagnoli, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Al MacLennan, Rich Pace.
Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridge
My next hike would bring my group of crazies to revisit some past hiking in a different way. The first section of this hike was ten years after my first time on it.
We met in Lambertville behind the hotel and train station, at a lot for Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. I was surprised that not more showed, up, but it was still a good group.
We began by hiking along the former Belvidere and Delaware Railroad north. We passed by the old station and continued beyond the Riverhorse Brewery. It was much more overgrown than it had been on past trips, and we had to go around it by one block.
Old rail car north of Lambertville
Old rail car north of Lambertville
I had gotten a call from a guy named Alex, a friend of Mathias Bullerman who was going to try to meet up. He ran along the canal north but never managed to catch up with us, or at least we never saw him and calls to his phone went unanswered.
Along the way south, we came across the abandoned railroad car that had been sitting there for years. I looked back before this hike at the pic I took of it way back, and there was not really any vegetation around it. Amazing how things change over a decade.
More strangely, the inside of the rail car had been splatterd with artsy paint marks throughout. It was actually quite cool looking.
Inside the old rail car north of Lambertville
Old railroad car north of Lambertville
Former quarry spur bridge over the D&R Feeder Canal north of Lambertville
We continued on from here, and the former Flemington Branch line broke off over the canal to the right. and after that passed an old quarry spur that once broke off of the Bel Del line. We continued along the rail bed, on the banks of the old Delaware and Raritan Feeder Canal (which was also used for navigation) north toward Stockton. Jack and Susie both had their guitars, and we sang some happy songs on the way north. Guys went by on bikes and asked "do you know how to play that thing". "Nope." Jack replied. The new song we did this time was "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult. Jack even had the solo down.
Along the Bel Del right of way, and D&R Feeder south of Stockton
We made our way into Stockton, and stopped at the old train station which had been converted into a little store for some snacks. We took some time here because we thought this guy was going to catch up, but he never came. I had a pork roll sandwich, and a Joe Turbo Lemon tea which was pretty good. After our break we continued north along the former Bel Del right of way, which through Stockton diverted quite a bit from it's path alongside the old canal.
Historical marker in Stockton
There were quite a few of the little concrete shelters along the route from Lambertville to Stockton, more than I'd remembered. Shelly hadn't seen them before, which sort of surprised me. Thinking about it, i could remember only one that was along the old line around Pittstown that had washed down along the Capoolong Creek, but she may not have seen that one either.
Jack and I went ahead singing songs, and stopped for everyone else to catch up where the Lockatong Creek joined the Delaware.
The Delaware River where the Lockatong lets out.
The former canal was barely recognizeable, discernable only by a berm separating it's former route with the river. For the most part, the river just flowed in this section now. The river was still quite high, and I was concerned what would happen when we reached Bulls Island, if the Delaware Canal, our return route on the PA side would be flooded out. We could see from the NJ side that there were a few places the water was spilling over the towpath.
Lockatong trestle along the Bel Del
Along former Bel Del line near the Lockatong Trestle
We continued on south from here, and I knew once we had passed the Lockatong that it wasn't far to Bulls Island. We soon reached that point, and turned left off of the rail bed onto the access road into the park. We took a break here at the bridge over the former canal. Mr. Buckett showed up there to join us for the remainder of the hike.
At Bulls Island
We all sat on the bridge for a nice break, eating cookies brought by Al, as well as Snickers and peanut butter cups brought by Susie.
We made a stop at the visitor's center on the island and picked up some maps before crossing the foot bridge into Pennsylvania.
Big tree on Bulls Island
Bulls Island Foot Bridge
Delaware Canal looking south from Bulls Island Foot Bridge
Lumberville PA
Delaware Canal in Lumberville PA
Along Delaware Canal just south of Lumberville
Once we got to Lumberville PA, we turned right and descended to the old Delaware Canal towpath to head south. It was not washed over the towpath here, fortunately. We were able to walk the path south, which was somewhat washed out, but the towpath was at least still in place. The surfacing was the only part really ruined.
Dam falls behind some buildings as seen from Delaware Canal
Along the Delaware Canal south of Lumberville
Delaware Canal south of Lumberville
Delaware Canal south of Lumberville
Delaware Canal south of Lumberville, a spillway
The towpath had a few places where the water was running over, but when we got to the spillway, where this was supposed to happen, it ended up being quite heavy. I walked right on through the water and set up a log for everyone to step across on. I think everyone got their feet just a little wet.
Crossing a spillway, Delaware Canal
As we continued on, there were other washed out spots, but for the most part the canal towpath remained in better condition.
Washout on the Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridge
Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridge
Rich Pace joined us; after parking his car in Stockton, he walked across the Delaware using the Centre Bridge and reached the Delaware Canal, then walked it north to reach us and contnue on the remainder of the hike.
Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridge
Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridge
Delaware Canal just north of Centre Bridgge
Delaware River
Delaware Canal in Centre Bridge PA
Centre Bridge
We continued on the towpath south with no problems. Along the way, there was one spot where there was road construction going on. A side path had been constructed so that trail users could continue on.
Delaware Canal near Centre Bridge
Delaware Canal just north of Centre briege
Delaware Canal near New Hope PA
A bit north of New Hope PA
Delaware Canal, near New Hope PA
Delaware Canal near New Hope PA
Delaware Canal near New Hope PA
Delaware Canal construction on a bridge near New Hope
Bridge consruction near New Hope
Closed rt 32 in PA north of New Hope
Temporary canal connector trail!
Delaware Canal north of New Hope
When we neared the town of New Hope, we could see an old rail car above us on what was the end of the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad. We continued along which led us into downtown New Hope.
Old rail cars across the canal in New Hope
New Hope station
Under a bridge in New Hope
We continued through town and did a few loops.
Next, we stopped by a nice French bakery by Al's recommendation, and he got me a good chocolate croissant.
There was a Ren Fair going on this day, but it wasn't a very big one. We looked around to find the vintage clothing store, which we found, and went in to look through clothing. Heather was dead tired, so Al was good enough to escort her back to the cars. We continued looking through stuff, and I bought a pair of bell bottoms, and wore them out!
Ineresting car in New Hope PA
New Hope PA
View from the Lambertville/New Hope bridge
We continued from here back across the bridge and to the cars to close another great hike.
Crossing the bridge to Lambertville
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