Hike #556; 4/30/11
The group taking a break in front of the abandoned restrooms at Lake Susquehanna
4/30/11 Colombia to White Lake with Teun Ott, ?, Joel ?, Russ "Lord Byron" Rapp, Amie Spina, Chris Herbig, Eric Pace, Danny Black Janes, Justin Jones, Kristen Shoop
My next hike would be a sort of departure from past practice, but also something common. In March, we did not have my annual "Hikers' Hootenanny" as we would normally do. My driveway at White Lake was not nearly ready to have anyone coming up it yet at that time, and it was still quite cold out. It seemed smarter to postpone till April, which I had done before so it wasn't too big a deal.
In the past, the hike would start in Portland/Colombia and end in Washington on the old Warren Railroad. Ironically, I was now on a direct trail access to another railroad grade which also ended at my residence at White Lake, the Paulins Kill Valley Trail. I had heard the trail was to be extended from it's terminus at Brugler Road and reach the Delaware River, so I was anxious to check that out as well.
We met in the morning at the main White Lake parking lot and then shuttled as few cars as possible to Colombia, at the NJ side of the foot bridge. We begun our trip by walking across the foot bridge into Portland and getting our Lehigh Valley Farms Chocolate Milk, which of course was tradition. We then came back to NJ. Where we always used to park was now striped off as a trail route onto the bridge. Pedestrian symbols had been painted onto that edges of the road. Eric told me on the phone the night before that he had seen a sign for what he thought was a new trail head, and he was right.
Along Rt 46, where the side was recently striped as the trail route.
New continuation of Paulins Kill Valley Trail in Colombia NJ
The new section of trail was a crushed stone pathway which made it's way from the edge of the road down hill gradually to the confluence between the Paulins Kill and Delaware Rivers. We followed it down to the riverside, and it turned to pass beneath the Rt 46 bridge. Unfortunately, the river was at a very high level and completely covered over the trail. We laughed a bit at a sign warning that the water might be high, and how the warning should come much sooner than where it was places since the sign itself was well into the water.
Flooded Paulins Kill Valley Trail in Colombia
We made our way back up to Rt 46 and dashed across, only to find that's where the trail would have brought us up anyway. Under the bridge, the trail became like a standard concrete slap sidewalk in the flood area, then switched back on the east side of Rt 46, and made it's way up to the until recently overgrown pedestrian walkway on that side, and used it to cross the river.
Old dam ruins on Paulins Kill in Colombia from the Rt 46 bridge
We could see clearly from the bridge walkway the old dam over the Paulins Kill that was no longer in use, having been purged many years ago.
After crossing the bridge, the trail turned immediately left, into a small section of trees. This was where the original Blairstown Railroad (1876, later New York Susquehanna, and Western, 1881) turned south along the Delaware to join with the Lackawanna main line in Delaware (most of that section of the line was obliterated during the widening of Rt 46). I had walked this before, where it was necessary to go up the driveway of someone's house who lived there. Now, the trail goes through the trees, and then skirts the edge of their yard before making it's way onto the former ATV trail next to the main rail right of way. I was a bit upset those responsible for developing the trail did not use the original right of way, but upon further inspection the route cleared originally by ATVs may have been a spur track to a quarried area we soon reached. We then turned left and ascended to the main rail bed. It wasn't far from here before we reached the main dam of Colombia Lake.
Giant pipe under Rt 80 at Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Area
Former NYS&W right of way east of Warrington Road
Former NYS&W right of way near Brugler Road
From this point, little changed since my last visit. We followed the right of way on the gravel road through Colombia Lake Wildlife Management Area, beneath route 80 in the giant pipe, then along the edge of the lake on out to Warrington Road. From here, we had the most overgrown section of the entire day. This section, which was in the past quite clear, was now very overgrown and apparently no one was walking it. We bullied through the brush as best we could.
NYS&W right of way near
I had heard stories of some irate land owners in the area who did not want anyone on the trail, and who would come out yelling, but had not seen them yet. Fortunately, we would not run into any this time either. We made our way out to Brugler Road next to the historic stone arch bridge, only to find another obstacle.
Approaching the bridge on Brugler Road
Once on Brugler Road next to the bridge, some land owner had the Paulins Kill Valley Trail blocked off from it's western terminus. We walked through the gate that said "no trespassing" anyway and made our way onto the trail. It was badly washed out with water running all across it. An obvious spot where drainage should occur was blocked off. Everyone had to walk around it except the couple of us who went right through.
Paulins Kill Valley Trail washed out.
We continued on the trail from here out to the site of Hainesburg Junction, where the Lehigh and New England Railroad (1888-1962) joined and had trackage rights on the NYS&W line to Swartzwood junction to the northeast. The old telegraph office ruins, once a discernible pile that resembled a former building had over the years rotted to a mushy pile of nearly gone wood. The other building closer to the LNE right of way was almost completely collapsed now, where eight years before we could go in.
Ruins of a building at Hainesburg Junction
Paulins Kill Viaduct
Delaware Water Gap view from atop Paulins Kill Viaduct
Kittatinny Ridge from atop Paulins Kill Viaduct
In Paulins Kill Viaduct
Viaduct
Viaduct
Viaduct
Kristen doing a FHM Magazine pose or something in the Viaduct
Viaduct
Atop the viaduct
We soon reached the incredible Paulins Kill Viaduct. Never a boring site, I gave the group the option of whether or not they wanted to try to climb into the structure. Kristen, Justin, and Joel were the only ones interested in climbing through, and so the others took a break under the viaduct. We ran up under the first arch and made our way to the top.
Since my previous visits, the viaduct had been blocked off the way I would have normally climbed in by giant metal plates welded to the edges of the arches. I had since been able to climb over those plates, but it was much easier to just go to the top and down through the man holes.
We went to the top, and to the furthest man hole to descend. Everyone made it down with no problem, and we descended through the interior of the arch down to one of the support piers. These were ever changing with the ways we could get through. This one had in the past, as I recall, been one we had to climb up and down holding onto a rope or wire due to missing ladder rungs, but this time a flimsy board was placed across. Joel went for it first, and amazingly had no problem. I asked him to stand for a picture, and realized after going across the wobbling and cracked board that to do such a thing was crazy. Kristen and Justin climbed down into the pier rather than chancing the crazy board.
We ascended the other side and made our way to the top of the next arch where another open man hole could get us back up to the top. It was a shame we couldn't easily go through the first full three arches like I used to, but at least for now we were still able to get in. At this time, construction has begun on the reconstruction of the Lackawanna Cutoff in Byram Township, and commuter service is to be restored to Andover first. It probably won't be too long before the viaduct is no longer easily accessible.
Vernal pool and giant Beech tree along the PKV Trail
We climbed back down to the bottom and then followed the rail bed, at this time parallel alongside Station Road, past the site of Hainesburg Station. We were joined by Danny Blake Janes where the rail bed turned away from Station Road, and together we continued through the lovely woods full of ripe new foliage.
Paulins Kill Valley Trail near Crisman Road
We continued across Crisman Road after a road paralleled us to the right, and then headed through a rural area before coming to Vail. When we crossed Vail Road, we were joined by Lord Byron, his girlfriend Amie, and Herbig. They parked somewhere out near the end of Vail Road and walked down to meet us. We all continued along the trail heading east and crossed Gwinup Road where there were still whistle marker signs.
PKV Trail in Vail NJ
We passed through a section of woods, and then emerged next to the runway of the Blairstown airport (formerly Kalarama, which is the name of the settlement). We continued along the trail, which until recent years used to go right along a bit of the runway.
We turned away from the trail briefly to go over to an abandoned restroom and lakefront facility on Lake Susquehanna for a break.
Abandoned restrooms along Lake Susquehanna
Lake Susquehanna
Lake Susquehanna
Lake Susquehanna restroom
Abandoned restroom
Abandoned restroom
Abandoned restroom
Lake Susquehanna was apparently at one time a greater development, having had active restrooms, a swimming area, and even a dock that was left with a ladder still on it out in the water. We went into the restrooms to have a look around. When I got out, Lord Byron had already decided to take a swim in the lake out to the platform. Amy also went for it, so I decided to start wading as well. Before I got near to the ladder it dropped off far too deep, so I just went for it and swam. I got up on the dock, and Lord Byron surprised me by throwing me off. I got back on and returned the favor.
Lake Susquehanna
Lord Byron and Amie at the abandoned swimming dock
Abandoned house at Lake Susquehanna, Kalarama
Initials from a past visit to this site...
Abandoned house at Kalarama
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
After taking a nice break next to the abandoned restrooms, we continued along the access road which was where the official trail route went, and then soon came to the abandoned house I had been going into every time we hiked through here over the last many years. In 2003, this place was so covered in vegetation you could not see it. In 2006 that vegetation had been completely cleared away is if it was being prepared for demolition, but this time it was starting to grow back around the site.
We went in again to have a look around. Not a lot had changed. Floor boards were missing from half of the up stairs, and I noticed this time, that the building was much older than I had previously recognized. There were hand cut beams everywhere, and the roof had been extended beyond it's original intended size. Much of the improvent that had been done obscured how historic this building truly is. It was obvious through the missing walls that the original beams had had secondary ones added alongside to lift the roof higher.
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
Abandoned house
We followed the access road, and almost made it off of the airport property until we smelled amazing food. Danny and I had to investigate, so we made our way slightly up hill along one of the buildings to see that they were selling hamburgers and hot dogs. I of course had to get a burger, and then I think so did Joel and Danny. The burgers were actually quite excellent, and Joel and I commented it was the best burger we'd ever had from an airport!
Footbridge Park
The others waited, watching planes and such while we waited for our food to get done. I scarfed my burger down before anyone could even see it.
After crossing Lambert Road we had a nice long stretch of calm trail on out to Blairstown. When we reached Foot Bridge Park, we took a side trip to go across the Paulins Kill on the foot bridge to Dale's Market for food. We also made a stop at the liquor store where I got a couple Four Locos. At Dale's I got an amazing brownie iced with home made chocolate frosting with vanilla extract in it.
Foot Bridge of Foot Bridge Park, Blairstown
We continued along the trail from here, under rt 94 and along a nice section of the Paulins Kill. We soon reached the lovely dam and slack water section at the village of Paulina. Just past the dam we crept up quietly enough to see over a dozen turtles basking on a log.
Turtle in the slack water of the Paulins Kill River above Paulina.
We continued along the trail and made a stop at a nice through style girder bridge over the slack water section of the lake. I made my way across the trestle holding onto the outside of the girders like I'd been doing for nearly a decade. It was probably the last time I could do this before the bees nests on there were too active to get across on.
Lord Byron: Bad Ass
We continued along the trail through a nice wooded section before reaching the crossing of Spring Valley Road in Marksboro. We regrouped here because we would be turning off from Paulins Kill Valley onto the Ridge and Valley Trail. Once everyone was together we turned left up Spring Valley Road a short distance to the intersection of Primrose Road where we followed the abandoned parallel road to the former White Lake spur right of way from the NYS&W track.
Group shot in the mirror in Marksboro
Old mill, now a house, in Marksboro
Vernal pool along the White Lake spur
We made our way along the former White Lake spur line past some wetlands out to the ruins of the Marl Works and industrial ice house complex. I had been here very recently trying to retrieve tadpoles for a nature program for my boss, and slipped into an abandoned cistern.
I walked everyone through the former Marl Works and out to the shore of White Lake to look around.
The Marl Works at White Lake
Across the lake, we could see the Vass family farmstead, and through the trees we could barely see my house. We made our way back out to the Ridge and Valley Trail beyond the Marl Works. We passed by the old chimney that was once part of a former girl scout camp. The trail then took us off a little ridge and into a dip to one of the old Vass family lime kilns.
Vass Farmstead across White Lake
Ridge and Valley Trail in White Lake NRA.
White Lake
We made our way along the trail, and I had to try to keep Lord Byron, Amy, and Herbig caught up because the trail was now far more obscure than the previous sections. The group ahead of us ended up walking the road while I was able to catch the others fast enough to turn them onto the connector trail out to the main White Lake parking lot. This trail had recently been marked, quite poorly, with red and silver metal arrows. I was really annoyed by this because I'd talked to the land steward about doing paint or markers like the rest of the trail system, and the importance of doing standardized blazing to keep with continuity. The land steward, against my wishes, came in and marked it by first hammering these markers completely into trees, which any trail maintainer knows you leave nails at least an inch out to allow for the tree to grow. He also used red which was one of the least visible of colors, used trees that were sometimes not more than an inch thick, which means these trees will die, and at one point he even blazed a tree that was a hazard, or "widow maker", by hammering a blaze into a weight bearing branch holding several hundred pounds of dead tree over his head.
Note how this is a hazard tree....I hate it when people put in markers and hammer them all the way into the trees...but here it was hammered all the way...into a branch holding up a couple hundred pounds of dead tree! Ugh.
We followed this connector trail on out to White Lake parking lot, through a somewhat wet field to the cars. Everyone was able to get back and get the cars pretty well. I didn't drive, and instead led Herbig, Kristen, and Amy back to my house via the same trail we had just been on, then up my driveway. We waited a short while for the others to show up with their cars.
At the White Lake parking area off Stillwater Road.
Things were rather mellow for a bit, but people soon began to arrive. It was great to see so many old friends at my party. Most all of them were past attendants of my hikes, some dating back as far as high school.
Over the course of the night, more than sixty people attended the event. There was a lot of great food and drink, dancing, and a huge camp fire in a new pit that Danny put together, and a great singalong with Jack and all of the other musicians within the group.
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
The party went on until 5 am, when I was almost the last one to finally lay down. I spent the end of the party chatting with Christina Manley about the future.
The party was amazing, and aside from a few shortcomings was a great success and a lot of fun. This was the last few hours any of us would spend with our dear friend Christina, as she would pass away in her sleep just a few hours later as a result of an existing medical condition. I'm glad that her last day of life was a celebratory and positive event with friends who all cared for her.
Christina was a genuinely good person...a sweet girl who had the amazing ability to rise above the often tense drama that can exist within a tight group because of her steadfast honesty, respect for others, and loyalty to her friends. Those of us who were close with Christina knew we never had to look over our shoulder with her there, because she was a friend in the truest sense of the word.
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
Hikers' Hootenanny 2011
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