Hike #619; 15 Year Anniversery Warren Railroad!
3/24/12 Warren Railroad Fifteen Year Anniversery hike with Scott "Tea Biscuit" Helbing, Matt Davis, Conrad Blease, Teresa Montes, Rich Pace, Shelly Janes, Amanda Lance, Jason Kumpas, Jason Itell, "Commando Tom" Petrucci, Susie Duncan, Ron Phelps, "Naaron" Young, Michaela Clovis, John Spiridon, Wayne Meiner, Amanda Murphy, DJ Ray Cordts, Amanda Povinelli, Jim De Lotto, Gianna De Lotto, Carol and Rob Creamer, Brad Ladutko, Timothy Kovich, Bobbi Landrock, Bruce Manley, Chris Herbig, David "Captain Soup" Campbell, Chris "Cupcake" Kroschinski, and Corrin Dylnicki.
Group shot in Delaware NJ
My next hike would be a big one; the fifteen year anniversary of the hike that started it all. As always, I met my group at the Port Colden Mall in Washington.I arrived by myself, much earlier than anyone else. As I waited for the first person to arrive, I had some time to reflect on things.My life had changed so much since that first hike in 1997. I was sitting the the same parking lot I had waited in so many times in the past, this time without the worry that no one would show up. In the beginning, it was much harder to recruit participants for these events, but it had all payed off. I haven't posted a hike that no one showed up for since early 2004.It felt like a scene out of a movie; me alone in my car, reminiscing, thinking how long a time fifteen years really is. I said to myself, feeling rather cliche, "Where did all of the time go?". The answer spontaneously came to mind immediately as I posed this question. It went to good use.
The group along the former Warren Railroad, Delaware NJ
Rock outcrop above Delaware NJ
Group shot in Delaware NJ
I scraped my wrists climbing a bridge abutment
Former Warren Railroad in Delaware NJ
Walking from Smiddy's Deli
This was where my Great Grandmother's former home stood in Delaware
This was also a milestone becuase Matt Davis and I were finally able to present our first book, "Hiking the Warren Railroad Mile By Mile", which we had been working on for some time. This book gives a mile by mile description of the former railroad right of way and how to walk as closely as possible to what remains of it today. We sold over twenty copies immediately in the morning.We arranged the car shuttle, and even my mom was there to help us.We did the hike a bit differently this year than we had in the past. Usually we would shuttle to Columbia NJ and hike across the foot bridge, then head south across the Knowlton trestle into Delaware.
The trestle has long been a problem for Norfolk Southern, the rail company who owns it, and they have gone to great lengths to keep people off, including the removal of all of the fill dirt on the NJ side of the right of way.It would have been too hard to get everyone across the bridge and climb down the abutments in a timely fashion, so I decided it best to chop off the beginning of the hike, shortening the total length, but then also add a side trip to the center through Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area.Some of us parked near the Delaware Diner, and then walked north to meet up with the rest of the group parked at the Gary Gray trucking area. Once together, we began on our journey south following the rail bed. Conrad and Teresa ran a bit behind and joined us at Smiddy's Deli just to the south.My grandfather, who couldn't join us this time, was working on a survey on this old line for Gary Gray, who had just purchased another section of the former rail bed through town.We followed the right of way past the gas station and then along the back of the Sanico place. We stopped at the old bridge abutment as always for a group photo, and continued on to the south to Smiddy's. Matt gave the owner a copy of our book because we had two extras (the other would go to Dicola's Pizza later). The guys at Smiddy's always greet us warmly. I remembered the first time we went in after Smiddy had sold the place, and they were weirded out by us. Oh how things change.
Along former Warren Railroad bed in Delaware NJ
This is the rock overhang where people could jump out and scare you back in the day, Delaware NJ. My great grandfather was scared by a neighbor when he walked by near the turn of the century.
"The A-Rock", just south of Delaware along Warren Railroad
Ramseyburg Cemetery in Delaware area
The Shrub of Might, fifteen years later
Shrub of Might
Shrub of Might
I reached the top
Shrub of Might
Tom ascending to the Shrub of Might
Shrub of Might; Conrad's still got it
Shrub of Might
Chip surfing down
At the Shrub of Might
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
After our stop at Smiddy's, we continued on the rail bed to the south. The former brick home of my Great Grandmother that was on the left of the rail bed was now gone, and the entire area had been re-graded to level. It was probably a better driving surface than the road on the left side of it. It was strange seeing the old place gone. I remembered when I met Mr. Hartzell who lived at the place years back.We continued on the rail bed, which remained mostly unchanged out to the crossing at Marshall's Fruit Stand, then on to the A-Rock where my grandfather played as a child. I could see the Ramseyburg Cemetery to the right below the grade where so many of my family members were laid to rest.Just up ahead we ascended to the road leading to the cell tower, and the "Shrub of Might" activity we always enjoy. Since our first time doing this in 1997, the Ailanthus trees around us had all grown to great height, and the slope was full of exposed roots from years of running up and down. It made coming back down much more difficult because we could get our ankles caught. Fortunately none of us did.I was first to have a go at it, and certainly would not have beat my record this time. Commando Tom made his way to the top really fast, and others followed. Chip did well, and ran his way back down in a crazy sliding frenzy as did I. Conrad also tried this one again for the first time in many years, and proved that he not only still had it in him, but that he was still pretty fast.We didn't take the crazy amount of time we usually did on this, and instead moved on to cross the road at Ramseyburg. We then made our way south along the rail bed.Matt had gone back to switch glasses from Smiddy's and hadn't caught up yet. I found out later that he had stopped to take several excellent pictures of historic Delaware.It didn't take long before we reached the Manunka Chunk Tunnels. We stopped here as some changed their shoes to prepare to go through. Most opted to take the route over the tunnel. I figured we would be fine because so many had done it and knew the way by now.
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
In the tunnel
Everyone that went through the tunnel pretty much handled it quickly; Carol, John Bradford, Chip, Paula, Ron, and others. After we exited the south side, we found that Matt had not only caught up but passed through the tunnel with us quickly. Once on the other side, we continued to the path to the left to meet with the over-tunnel group.
Manunka Chunk Tunnel
South of Manunka Chunk Tunnel
The cut from above Manunka Chunk Tunnel
The group along Catherine's Run
Crossing Catherine's Run
Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area
Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area
Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area
Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area
We found when we got back to the other group that Amanda Lance was missing. Tea Biscuit was looking for her, and none of us had seen her. She didn't have her cell phone with her. I then ran through the group to figure who else might be missing that she might be with. It turned out John and Wayne must have been with them too, as well as I think Delotto. I began calling them to see if I could find them, and sure enough I did.I ran up over the top of the tunnel, and found that Wayne had gone through. I think John went over. I soon found out where they were and came back down the path. I could see them walking on the other side of Catherine's Run from the path I was on, and told them to hold still, that I would bring the rest of the group to them. This was the beginning of my side trip I had planned anyway.Once all together, we made our way across Catherine's Run on the usual plank bridge, but then instead of following the farm road parallel with the rail bed, we turned left and followed it to the property line and the end of a field. We entered woods briefly, then began following an ATV trail up hill through the trees.When the ATV trail began to disappear, we continued through the clearest route we could through the woods, and then up to a field to the right. A somewhat mowed path followed the edge of the field, part of Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area. We followed the field to the right, and Captain Soup went way ahead. He usually takes up the lead, and sometimes makes wrong turns because of not knowing where we're going, which I call "Making assouptions". He didn't make a wrong turn here, but I was able to show ahead at him as to where to turn right.We followed the line of trees until it ended, then turned right through the fields along another tree line. At the end of this, a woods road turned slightly left, then right.
Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area
The woods road soon came out to a chained off entrance from Upper Sarepta Road. From the road, we turned left and then right into the fields along the road. The fields were recently tilled, and so many just went back to the road rather than foolishly follow me through the mess.
View in Beaver Brook WMA
View in Beaver Brook WMA
View in Beaver Brook WMA
We followed the field and road to the ninety degree bend in the road, where the Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area sign was, with a fantastic view of the countryside.Matt had brought up earlier that we did not give the usual eulogy for the members of the group we had lost over the years, as we normally do on the Portland Columbia foot bridge. He was right, and when he brought it up, I realized this would be the perfect place to do it.
View in Beaver Brook WMA
Beaver Brook WMA
Bed of flowers in Beaver Brook WMA
Old Ledge Road quarry, Beaver Brook WMA
Beaver Brook WMA
Gianna and Jimmy, in Beaver Brook WMA
Ledge Road quarry, Beaver Brook WMA
Along Sarepta Road
Ledge Road quarry
Once everyone had reached the view point, I reminded everyone how since the beginning of these hikes, we had lost four past participants. First, their was Ron Short, Conrad's cousin who first joined us in 2000 and was my closest friend for some time.Next, a woman named Bobbi who only participated on one hike, I was told somewhat recently had passed from cancer.Nearly two years prior, we lost another best friend of mine, Kyle Zalinsky. Only one month shy of a year ago we lost our friend Christina Manley. We had a moment of silence to remember our fallen friends, and then continued straight on from the view point down hill through the fields.Once at the corner of the fields, we cut through another field and out to the road, which cut a corner where it made sharp curves. We turned right on the road briefly to another hairpin turn, then cut back into woods. We passed through a lovely bed of Spring flowers and then came out to yet another field. We skirted these fields to the left, then cut off to the left from them out to a woods road. This woods road turned and made it's way down to Sarepta Road. Delotto joined us again here, having went ahead and met up with his daughter Gianna, who joined us for part of this hike a few years back.We continued down hill on the road and were able to see the quarry for which the next road, Ledge Road, takes it's name. Cupcake met up with us at this intersection, and we followed the rail bed from here to the left, continuing south.
Old Warren Railroad bed, near Sarepta
Warren RR bed near Sarepta
Warren Railroad bed near Bridgeville
Former Warren RR near Bridgeville
Former Warren RR near Bridgeville
Former Warren Railroad nearing Buttsville
Fighting weeds on the old Warren RR
Descending from the rail bed to Hot Dog Johnny's
Pequest Cut on the old Warren Railroad
Trail section of the Warren Railroad entering Oxford. They overdid it with the posted signs to the left!
North portal of Oxford Tunnel/Van Nest Gap Tunnel
Hinges from when the tunnel had doors
Hinge posts from when the tunnel had doors
Oxford Tunnel
I remember seeing a state park sign on this next section of rail bed for the first time. It is part of Jenny Jump State Forest from here to Bridgeville. I chatted with Conrad about the past through this stretch. I reminded him how he once told me he went horse back riding at a farm to our right, and how the horse hated him, trying to go under trees and between objects that the horse plus him could not both fit through. Conrad revealed that horses name was "Jay", and humorously elaborated further on the horrors this horse bestowed upon him.
Around Hope Crossing Road, Jason Itell and Commando Tom began running. Jason had to complete the hike by 3:30 in order to catch a flight to Europe I think! I wonder if they made it in time...We continued out to Bridgeville and Rt 519. Tea Biscuit called me and told me the coffee shop where the dog ran out and got killed last year now had another dog, also no leashed, which would also run out if people were around. "Some people never learn" he said. We didn't go in this time, instead opting to continue ahead. Wayne and John cut out here, and Eric went to walk the road rather than cross the sand quarry ahead.
The rest of us continued on and crossed the sand quarry, which was getting grown over again where the rail line once crossed. This area looks different every year. Some were going up to an ATV path to the left, but I ushered them over to the actual rail bed, which was now overgrown with lots more plants. I remembered when this was totally cleared. There were now good sized Sycamore trees growing through it, which amazed me. I thought back on how a guy drove this section of the rail bed up to us in 1997 and told us not to walk there. No vehicle would get through this now.
Once on the other side of the sand quarry, we continued on down the slope to Hot Dog Johnny's for lunch. Bobbi joined us here, along with her son Bruce for his first time out with us. A bunch of people left the group here as well. I think Delotto and Gianna cut out in this area somewhere as well.We had a nice long break with some food, except Carol was all made and upset because Herbig and John Bradford wouldn't listen to her when she knew the way to go, and they came up with their own route and got lost.We continued on our way, climbing back up to the rail bed and heading east for a bit. When we got to the former mud pond site which we used to lob rocks into and watch them sink, then it turned into a marsh followed by a section of woods, we were surprised to see it was now all dug out completely, and was several feet deep.We continued out past the Buttsville cemetery, and then came out near the intersection of Rts 31 and 46. There were survey markers along the section of rail bed that had been dug out behind the gas station, which was interesting. We thought maybe some of the rail bed would have to be restored?We were joined in this area by William "Guillermo" Fabel, with his crazy elephant hat. He parked at the state land and then walked back on the rail bed to join up with us near Hot Dog Johnny's.We crossed over Rt 46 and continued across the Pequest Viaduct.We made our way through this nice section, then through the Pequest Cut out to Pequest Road. We continued on the paved trail section, along which there were tons of posted signs at the private land to the left. We then continued out to Lower Denmark Road and headed into Oxford.We stopped briefly at the Busy Bee and liquor store, and I think others in the group cut out here. We also had to split the group, as some would go through Oxford Tunnel, and others would go over the top. Corrin joined us in Oxford to do the remainder of the hike, though she wasn't up for the tunnel. She had been running track lately, and had no trouble running to catch up with the group.Guillermo, Carol, John Bradford, and I were the only ones to go through the tunnel this time I think. It was not nearly as wet approaching the tunnel this time, so it took a bit less time, though there were tons of blow downs to climb over and through.Once in the tunnel, we immediately got stuck in the crazy silt, but powered through it quite well.
In Oxford Tunnel
In Oxford Tunnel
We made our way through the water, and then over the big cave in, after which the water was not nearly as deep at all. We rejoined the rest of the group on the south side, though some of them I think must have went ahead rather than wait up.
Tree stand along the rail bed in Washington Township
The right of way remained very clear on the fill south of the tunnel out to the grade farm crossing. Herbig called me up a bit later because they weren't sure which way to go here. I never thought it was even a question, because it's always the level route!
Old farm overpass on the former Warren Railroad
Cupcake!
Former Warren RR in Washington
We continued past the old farm overpass, and I told everyone about the locomotive sizes and changes to the bridge. We made our way down from the rail bed soon after crossing high above Pohatcong Creek and crossed Jackson Valley Road. Some of the group got a bit behind, so we waited on the abutments of the bridge along Jackson Valley Road.Ahead, the rail bed is state park land to beyond the high school. I had called state police and told them there was a land owner claiming to own the right of way, but I'd had it confirmed otherwise, and wanted to let them know in case there was an issue. Fortunately, we had no issues and we were able to walk on through with no problem.It was interesting again to walk by the high school, where the field that was formerly ATV and bike paths was now new ball courts and fields, all developed and green.The rail bed through this section was unseasonably dry, which we couldn't complain about. We continued along the right of way behind Warren Lumber and out to where the tracks resumed past former American Can, and headed through Washington.
Drunk guy we met on the tracks in Washington!
As Jason Kumpas and I walked ahead of the group, a tall creepy looking man stared dead on at us intently. It was freaking me out a bit, but he turned out just to be some nutty drunk guy hanging out on the tracks, our presence probably being the most interesting thing that's happened to him all month...but then again a character like that probably makes everything interesting.
Dicola's Pizza dinner
We made our way across Rt 31 and descended via the ATV path to Dicola's Pizza. Conrad was already inside and had finished his first meal, and was starting his second.I gave Dicola's a copy of our new book, and we all celebrated the day with some great pizza.The place was full of happy hikers, there was never more than two other patrons who were not a part of my group. I loved seeing everyone so happy.
Dicola's Pizza dinner
Many of us all traveled back to my home to sing and dance and celebrate the occasion, just another puzzle piece of time well spent.
Dicola's Pizza dinner
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