1/22/12 Washington Valley to North Brunswick with Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Eric Pace, Amanda Rosenblatt, Shayna ?, Steve Sanbeg, Shelly Janes, Lackshman, Susan Duncan, and Jerry McSpirrit
Berm path along the Middle Brook
My next hike would be another point to point, this time connecting my previous Delaware and Raritan Canal hikes with the Middle Brook series I had done.
I met my group at the A&P Supermarket in North Brunswick on Milltown Road, and then we shuttled to the north to Washington Valley Park. I had discovered the first time that I ever hiked the Middle Brook Trail that there was what appeared to be a spur trail going off following the East Branch of the Middle Brook. I didn't know where it went, and I actually forgot about it for a while. Then, I was looking at Google Earth and saw a trail going off in that way out to Vosseller Avenue. I decided I wanted to start this hike there.
East Branch of the Middle Brook, Washington Valley, Eastfields section
Unfortunately, the area to park was covered in snow from a storm we'd had Friday night. We would have to come up with alternative parking. We ended up finding this in on street parking just north of the bridge over the East Branch of the Middle Brook itself, on Merriem Drive. We parked and walked on down the road, turned left on Vosseller across the creek, and then turned right into the woods on the path, which appeared to be an old road with a metal guard rail blocking it off.
Mr. Buckett had me laughing immediately, as he talked about how he wanted to go to India so he could eat with his hands.
As we headed on, I got a call from Susie who was running late, but she saw Eric's orange had through the woods from her car. She hurried to my car, parked near it, and then hurried to catch up with us with ?. The rest of us hiked on until we reached Gilbride Road and then waited for them to catch up.
East Branch Reservoir in Washington Valley Park
From there, we continued down hill along the East Branch of the Middle Brook. It was a bit more treacherous through this area because it was so steep along the edge. The snow made it quite difficult. I was wearing a pair of work boots because they were pretty much the only good thing I had for snow other than my work boots (which were steel toe), and my heel was still slightly cut from the last time I wore them. They are also a size too small, mind you. Fortunately, Susie was able to scrounge up a piece of duct tape I think she'd used to make Flip Flop some socks, and I was able to cover it with that. It kept my heel from wearing raw the rest of the day.
What I think is the top of the original East Branch Reservoir
We soon passed what I believed to be the former top of the East Branch Reservoir before the construction of the newer dam down stream. Eric was right up front near me at this time, despite the difficult terrain. We continued on, gaining elevation ahead. We didn't bother going over to get a better view of Buttermilk Falls or the dam because it would have been far too slippery. Instead, we continued working our way up hill toward the hawk watch area.
View from Chimney Rock, Washington Valley Park
When we reached the hawk watch, the view beyond Chimney Rock was as great as ever, and quite clear. The view of the quarry operation ahead was always kind of sad to see, but the road weaving around along the Middle Brook below, as well as looking up the valley toward the East Branch Reservoir where we'd just been was stunning.
View into the East Branch of the Middle Brook valley of Washington Valley Park
We could also see quite clearly out toward Bound Brook to the south of us.
After everyone had caught up, we continued on along the trail for a very short distance. There was an unmarked side trail that turned off from the main trail to the view point, leading down the Watchung Ridge to the south. We opted to try to follow this. There were some "no trespassing" signs along the way, but we continued on because we could clearly see the back of the Chimney Rock Inn and toward Thompson Ave.
View south from Chimney Rock
Berm path along the Middle Brook
Berm path along the Middle Brook
Once we reached the parking lot, Thompson Road was right there, so I hurried out for it, and watched that the rest of the group made it out from a distance. I wanted to be sure we didn't have any problems getting out there. The path we had been following down hill split in two, and it started looking more like a deer trail, and bother were going the wrong direction, so we bushwhacked to some sort of a utility right of way which took us into the parking lot.
From Thompson, we continued out across the bridge over Rt 22. Once on the other side, we turned right along a pedestrian path back toward 22. The path is strange because it sort of stops, and then starts back up again beyond a business and some evergreen trees. It then is a paved path set atop a flood protection berm along the Middle Brook. We followed this on to the rear of the Shop Rite supermarket where we'd stopped on hikes before. This time, the large building that we had seen the previous hike was long gone, completely demolished. It was in the process the last time we'd been there.
Former Central Railroad of NJ crossing the Middle Brook
Berm path near along the Middle Brook
Following the Middle Brook through town
We all went on in to the Shop Rite for some food. I had some chicken ceasar wrap, Eric got some sweet and sour chicken wings to share with everyone, and I forget what else we had. We then went by a liquor store but it was closed.
From this point, we walked on across Rt 28, Union Ave, and then cut through the back of a gas station to reach the next section of berm along the Middle Brook, part of Middle Brook Park. We followed this past many familys sledding down the berm in the park, and then reached Talmadge Ave. Previously, we turned right here to finish a hike at a parking lot at a store front to the west. This time, we would continue on ahead. There had been construction going on here previously, and there still was this time, but the road was in good shape. We turned right and crossed over the railroad tracks, formerly the Central Railroad of NJ. I thought back at the time so many years ago when William "Guillermo" Fabel and I walked through this route in the bitter dark and cold of winter. Another time I walked through the area with him and others as well. Sometimes it seems like it was another life.
Berm path near the confluence of the Middle Brook with the Raritan
We crossed the railroad tracks carefully, and then made our way onto the berm on the other side. The pathway continued atop the berm beside the Middle Brook from here. I had not yet followed this section, and I was happy to finally be finished following the entire Middle Brook from beginning to end.
We made our way along the berm, and could see where the other sets of railroad tracks crossed over it ahead, and the confluence with the Raritan River was just beyond.
Berm path along the Raritan near Bound Brook
The berm made a turn to the left, now continuing parallel with the Raritan, just beyond the tracks to our right. These tracks must have been the former Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Reading and Pennsylvania Railroads which came in from the south and west. We could see an abandoned right of way parallel with the active tracks. There were plenty of foot prints on the berm, so we figured this must be opened as a park.
As we continued, we reached a small building on the berm, and the pathway led around it and down off of it to the left. We thought we were out, but realized soon that it led into a fenced in area. We'd have to go back.
There was a side path that led off of the berm and then down to West Main Street in Bound Brook. I didn't realize it until now, but that was a ball field park access we walked through. The snow of course wouldn't show such things.
Crossing the tracks in Bound Brook
We turned right on West Main Street which dead ended at the railroad tracks. This of course would at one time have been a grade crossing, but it was eliminated. The grade crossing was now only at Vosseller Ave. I didn't realize it at the time, but this road that turned off on our left was the same road we had parked off of.
We crossed the tracks on Main Street at it's former grade crossing, and then continued on the east part of Main Street.
Crossing the tracks where all the rail lines come together, Bound Brook
We walked along the main street through Bound Brook, which was pretty interesting. We saw an open liquor store, so I decided to duck in and have a look. For whatever reason, this time I decided not to buy anything. But it was worth the side trip because of who we met. There was a large black man dressed in quite a peculiar way walking down the street toward us. His name was something Hall.
He was wearing stranged pants which seemed to have a light checked appearance; his loose fitting crazy shirt had all sorts of wacky colors and trinkets attached to it. There were shiny little objects and some sort of flowing scarf thing. He wore a headdress similar to something an arab might wear, folded in the same fashion, but a bright red. There was also something more to it on top, but I couldn't quite tell. He had chipped front teeth, and was wearing a pink hair beret in the soul patch on his chin.
He was happy to be recieving our attention, and was very friendly. He went as far as to quoting us his social security number, and telling us exactly where he lived, near the Bound Brook circle. We invited him to join us on the walk back to North Brunswick, and he talked as if he was going to, but did not. He kissed the hand of all girls in the group, and almost got away without doing so to Amanda, but he spotted her at the last minute, and summoned her over to him. He was also a good enough sport to pose for a group shot with us. As a final gesture, I awarded him with a tiny plastic silver trophy that I'd been carrying in my backpack for who knows how long. I seem to recall having those things floating around in my stuff even before the fire. I suppose this one made it to my car somehow and escaped the blaze. I thought this a fitting way to pass it along.
Circle in downtown Bound Brook
We continued on along the street of Bound Brook until we reached the circle on the far end of town. I remembered walking by that circle also on a past hike so long ago. I remember being impressed with the look of Bound Brook, how it wasn't so run down as I'd expected, and how I wanted to try some of the authentic mexican restaurants there. We didn't get to trying them this time either, because we still had so far to go.
Downtown Bound Brook
Passing under the railroad tracks in Bound Brook
Raritan River in Bound Brook
We turned right onto South Main Street, and soon passed beneath the old railroad tracks, now part of NJ Transit. We then continued a short distance to cross the Raritan River on a bridge. Immediately on the other side we reached the towpath of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, now a state park through most it's entire route. I continued on briefly, taking in a nice view of the former lock just west of us, and then out to the main drag of South Bound Brook. I didn't see any stores of interest right here, so we continued on along the towpath to the east.
Delaware and Raritan Canal lock site, South Bound Brook
We soon reached an abandoned railroad bridge over the canal to the right. This had recently been rehabilitated for use as a pedestrian bridge to connect the towpath trail with apartments on the other side. My areal images still showed this line continuing out across the Raritan on a trestle to our north. I remembered this bridge still being in place as well the last time I walked this section (Which ironically was on hike 200, and Steve was there that time as well). I walked to the north to where the bridge once spanned the Raritan, but it was gone, along with almost all signs of it. It was difficult to tell even where it went on the other side. Almost all remnants had disappeared.
Former turning bridge over the D&R Canal in South Bound Brook
We walked back to the towpath and headed east. We could see on the old rail bridge over the canal how it was intended to spin when a canal boat would pass by. Few of these bridges still remain. We then passed by the shell of an abandoned building off to the left of the trail. The trail at this point was not following the towpath, as it was not right on the shore of the canal. That was overgrown. The trail kept closer to the Raritan River, but then moved back to the edge of the canal to resume the towpath.
Building ruin in South Bound Brook
D&R Canal near South Bound Brook
We continued along the trail for quite a while. With all of the snow on the ground, it began to seem somewhat monotonous quickly. I was starting to feel pretty depressed. With just too much going on in my life and not enough positive, it was hard to enjoy the day as much as I'd have liked to.
Some of the monotony was broken up, for me at least, when i spotted what appeared to be the ruins of a dam site over the Raritan. There were what appeared to be dam abutments, and in the river were some sections of wood and stone. I figured this must have been cribbing work. I took pleasure in knowing what something like that looked like from reading about them and then seeing them similarly on the Lehigh Canal.
Probably a former dam site, with crib work remaining in the Raritan River...but could be the old railroad bridge site? I forget hmm
Old bridge site, or dam site on the Raritan
Passing beneath Rt 287 on the D&R Canal towpath
D&R Canal near Rt 287 underpass
I do not know what this dam might have been for, because no slack water was needed on the D&R Canal here for the boats. It certainly must have been power for some sort of industry.
The monotony broke up a bit further when we passed beneath Interstate 287. Right here in this area was also an old stone lined spillway from the beginning of the canal, constructed to control overflowing canal water. We continued from here, and the canal got much closer to the Raritan. We were on the towpath with water around us on both sides. We could see a few homes along the land bank of the canal, but it was a nice and secluded section overall. Still, it too became monotonous after a short while to me.
There were actually a couple other people using this secluded section; three cyclists and two runners, but that was it.
I was sort of zoning out while I was walking, when I looked up and saw the Landing Lane Bridge ahead spanning the Raritan. We had nearly reached the furthest I had ever followed the D&R Canal, the near end of the state park property.
Washed out pedestrian bridge along the canal near New Brunswick
D&R Canal, New Brunswick area
Spillway on the D&R Canal near New Brunswick
Path closely following former D&R Canal route in New Brunswick
Path along former D&R Canal route, New Brunswick
We made our way along the trail, across one more spillway that was in a bit worse shape, with water going over it, and reached Landing Lane Bridge. The towpath trail continued a short distance ahead, but dead ends because the canal was cut off and the water flows like a dam into the Raritan. This was done during heavy highway construction in the past few decades.
We turned right on Landing Lane, and then left along George Street. There was some sort of lot first to walk through, then a path into the woods parallel with the road. This came out at someone's house, which we walked right in front of and then stayed along the road. We were soon bordering Buccleauch Park. On the previous time I'd hiked this section of canal, Steve led us through Buccleuch Park and then through New Brunswick to where we'd parked. I did not yet know there was a way of following the historic canal route, or that any of the canal was still intact beyond the highways, just not as state park land.
We continued along the edge of Buccleuch Park, and then crossed George Street. A paved path, which was somewhat obscured by snow, led across and then down hill below the underpass for Rt 18, the John A. Lynch Sr. Memorial Bridge. It then crossed over the exit of Rt 18 and became a very nice paved path along the river, following on or very close to the historic route of the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Interesting graffiti
Path on former D&R Canal route, New Brunswick
Path on former D&R Canal route, New Brunswick
Interesting graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti in New Brunswick
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti
Interesting graffiti
Graffiti
The path, which started at the same grade as the exit road, descended below the level of the highway with a long concrete wall on the right, and a chain link fence on the left. We were out of sight from the road, in a hidden walkway beside the Raritan River. This was a much cooler route than I thought it would be.
The wall to our right was covered with all sorts of graffiti. Some of it was actually quite good. It was sad to see that some of the real talent was covered over by amateurish scrawling, but it made for rather interesting walking.
After a bit, there was a pedestrian bridge with a set of stairs descending to the path we were on, coming from on the other side of Rt 18. Under the stairs was a lot more graffiti, more of the impressive stuff. There was also some mattress stuff, letting us know that someone had been living down here. We took a break here and ate some cookies we'd gotten at Shop Rite before moving on.
The next point of interest along the way was a giant arched bridge spanning the Raritan River, built for the Pennsylvania railroad. Originally, there was a large deck girder bridge I have seen pictures of at this point, but it was replaced by this long stone arch bridge. It appeared upon approaching it that only a few arches on the south side were still stone. The rest seemed to have been covered over with concrete.
Stone arch bridge, New Brunswick
Stone arch bridge, New Brunswick
Stone arch bridge, New Brunswick
Graffiti
Walkway under stone arch bridge in New Brunswick
Stone arch bridge, New Brunswick
We passed beneath the bridge. A book I read said that this bridge's construction caused problems for the canal, because it limited the size of boats that could still pass through on the canal. They could pass beneath the older bridge, but the arches were much lower and the clearance was narrower.
The arch we passed through was likely not for the canal. The canal part was probably where the roads were now. I'm sure we regained the towpath on the other side, though it would of course bare no resemblence to what it once was.
The character of this trail did change once we were in this area. It was now lined with some nice lights, and looked much more welcoming. The graffiti also appeared to have been done with significantly more talent. We soon saw some people hanging out along the trail as we continued. We were still hidden from the roads, and these guys were drinking beers, but they were friendly and caused us no problems.
Black cat along former D&R Canal route
Sweet black cat along former D&R Canal route
Sweet little cat along the canal route
Sweet little cat along the canal route
sweet little cat
Stone arch bridge in New Brunswick
Graffiti
We stopped to chat for a bit, and noticed there was a black cat running around. It was very skiddish at first, and would not come near any of us. The guys there told us that the cat's name was Morticia, because she was all black. They would come down there and feed her. For people that certainly didn't have much, I found it very honorable that they truly appreciated this cat. One of them said to me "look at her eyes...she has the most beautiful eyes...". The went on to tell us that she was very smart, and that she knew not to go in the road. They must certainly have been right, because we were so close to Rt 18.
The cat ran back and forth, and she kept her distance from me for a bit, but then got curious. Soon, she was right up next to me, and I was petting her. She started enjoying it a lot and stayed close to me as I continued to rub her chin. Others in the group soon joined in and the cat seemed pretty happy.
She was still skiddish, and when someone made a fast move, she would take off a few feet. When we moved on, she continued up the trail in front of us, but then turned off to the right through a hole in the ever present chain link fences.
Amazing graffiti, New Brunswick
Graffiti, New Brunswick
Graffiti, New Brunswick
Graffiti, New Brunswick
Next, neared the Albany Street Bridge. This was certainly an old bridge, of masonry construction, spanning the Raritan. As we neared the bridge, there was a high wall to the right which supported part of a cloverleaf for the highways. This was the pinnacle of the graffiti we saw. There were intense designs with colors blended so well it was hard to believe it could be done with spray paint. There was then a beautiful portrait of a young girl. Some of the graffiti we passed seemed like it was fresh, because the smell of paint eminated from the walls when we were close. I appreciated seeing that the excellent portrait of the girl was not painted over with vulgarities and such, much as some of the previous art was.
Just beyond the picture of the girl, and some other fantastic designs, was another impressive piece, which appeared to be some sort of genie/ninja girl. This one was painted over somewhat, but still looked amazing.
Amazing Graffiti, New Brunswick
Former D&R Canal route, New Brunswick
Old bridge over the Raritan in New Brunswick
D&R Canal, New Brunswick
Old arch bridge from the canal, New Brunswick
D&R Canal, New Brunswick
D&R Canal, New Brunswick
D&R Canal, New Brunswick
View along D&R Canal, New Brunswick
Boyd Park entrance
Delaware and Raritan Canal, new Brunswick
We passed under the Albany Street Bridge. The other side of the bridge appeared to have been capped over with concrete. Beyond here, it was nice to see the Delaware and Raritan Canal ahead, still watered and looking more as it should, with no highways impeding on it's route.
We walked along the towpath from here, which had some new lights along the left side that were not turned on. It was not dark yet, but it was much cloudier than it was earlier. There were young sycamore trees planted along the towpath for a while, which isn't really historically accurate, but added a nice ambiance.
We came to a point where there were two foot bridges over the towpath, with one of the spillways in the middle. We were able to walk right over the spillway, but I could see that these bridges were sometimes necessary because the tide would come in and pass over the top of this. It was fortunate that it was dry at this time.
We continued on and there was another bridge over the canal. This would be the last actual bridge to take anyone across. Everyone waited here while I continued off on the towpath ahead. I wanted to walk to the true terminus of the canal ahead.
D&R Canal tide lock, New Brunswick
D&R Canal tide lock
New bridge in New Brunswick from terminus of D&R Canal
View downstream on the Raritan from D&R Canal terminus
Near the very end, some reconstruction had obviously been done. The former tide locks had very nice wood in place, and could not have been original. Still, it was very cool to see. I walked on out to the very end of the locks and looked on at the down stream Raritan River. There were a couple of bridges sat up on the walls between the locks, apparently to be placed over the locks for people to walk across seasonally.
I felt a sense of accomplishment to have finally reached the eastern terminus of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. I'd already been to the northern one at Bulls Island, to the sections in Trenton, and the entire feeder and main canals. The only thing left for me to do was to walk the remainder of the canal south to Bordentown where it locked out into the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek.
View into New Brunswick from D&R Canal eastern terminus
Bridge view from the canal
D&R Canal tide lock
Boyd Park
New Brunswick view with D&R Canal tide locks
Boyd Park, New Brunswick
I turned around form here and followed the towpath a bit back toward the group, but saw a shallow spot where the water was spilling over rocks. Since the tide was low, some of the canal floor was exposed, and so I decided to try to walk across on the rocks. I nearly slipped and fell into the mucky bottom trying to climb down because it was so slippery. Luckily, I managed to cross the canal on rocks without getting wet. On the other side, Shelly said she knew I would try that.
Once on the other side, we continued along the edge of the canal back to it's end, and then continued through Elmer B Boyd Park along the Raritan River. Eric and Mr. Buckett had cut out here, to try to find a faster route back to the cars in North Brunswick by walking through a portion of the town.
The rest of us passed below the elaborate new arches with Rt 18 above us, and then reached the end of the park. We made our way steeply up hill and parallel with the wall of Rt 18. We continued to gain elevation gradually as we paralleled the highway wall. There was a fantastic view back toward New Brunswick, and of Boyd Park and the old canal.
View of the Raritan at New Brunswick
Making our way along the highway wall
Foot bridge over the highway
We came to a point when the wall was low enough that I could climb over. I made my way over carefully, but then Lakshman realized that there was a gate left open right next to me.
We passed through and then walked up the highway toward a pedestrian overpass. We made our way up the stairs and across the bridge to the other side of 18, and then walked Phelps Avenue south to a right turn on Dudley Road.
We followed Dudley out through some of the Rutgers campuses, and then after it came out of a wooded area and into a field area, we turned left across the road and onto some sidewalk type of paths across. The first path took us half way across the field to a path intersection, where we turned right and out to College Farm Road.
Paths through Rutgers Campus, North Brunswick
We were going to try to follow something called Poultry Lane in order to get to the cars faster, by cutting corners, but that road was gated off. We were forced to follow College Farm Lane to the south and then turn right onto a frontage road parallel with Rt 1. Mr. Buckett and Eric were able to get back to the cars first with their shortcut, and we were almost there. I called Eric up to ask him to bail out some of the participants, but we were able to make it back before that was necessary. We walked through road to some corporation parking lot, with a fence that blocked us from getting to other streets, and then cut to the left back toward Rt 1 over some snow covered grassy rolling hills. We then reached Milltown Road and crossed to reach the A&P.
I was alright most of the day, but had gotten my feet quite wet. After standing still for only a short period of time, my feet got so cold it was nearly unbearable. I had to take my boots off and cradle my feet for warmth. I also got my hand in the way and Shelly accidentally slammed it into the car door. Fortunately, it was fine, and really hardly injured at all save for a little bruising.
I chatted with Shelly a lot toward the end of the hike, which was sort of therapeutic. With all of the stress I've been facing, with the Park Service, both for my employment and for volunteer stuff, with my home, and plenty of other things, I'm still able to force myself out, to do the things I love.
They say when you're young, you feel like you're invincible. I remember feeling that way, running and jumping, taking unnecessary risks and always landing fine. Then when I broke my ankle and was hospitalized for three days things changed. I started being more careful, became a worry wort. Various other injuries over the years; a broken arm, shoulder, and other injuries slowed me down quite a lot as well. Each time I felt like I was gaining momentum, something would happen to hold me back.
After this hike, with both physical and emotional trauma that should hold anyone back, I was feeling somewhat invincible again. Everything that has happened, in fact HAS made me tougher. Although I don't feel at the top of my game yet, I feel like I'm getting there again.
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