Sunday, August 16, 2015

Suburban Girl Hits the Trails...Again

Suburban Girl has been sitting on the soccer sidelines for too long:
Fall season, spring season, year after year.
Now that Soccer Boy is heading off to college,
it's time for Suburban Girl to
to shed a few pounds
and up the cardio.

Suburban Girl and Mr. Engineer used
to hike and bike quite frequently.
Then came the little ankle biters
and we tried to make hikers and bikers out of them too.
Not successfully.
(Ask me about the Mountain Fairy sometime.)
This fall there will be no soccer games to attend.
So it is back to the trails for us.

The first bike trip we've taken together in a while is a keeper.
I love a bike trip that involves a destination,
something to do,
some good scenes.
interesting rest stops.
This trip had it all.
I am going to document it for others
because there is little directional signage.

Easton to Bethlehem via the DandL Trail, Lehigh Canal South
Round trip 30 miles


Delaware Canal State Park 

We drove about an hour to Easton, PA in Northampton County
to the Delaware Canal State Park
at the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers.
210 S. Delaware Drive, Easton, PA 18042
There is free parking here.
From the lot, facing the rivers and Phillipsburg,
take the trail to the LEFT along the Lehigh River.

Stay on the paved trail.


S. 25th Street Bridge 

When you get to the bridge at 2.3 mi,
cross over it and pick up the trail across the street.



At 2.9mi pass through Riverview Park.
(If there is a ball game the restrooms and snack bar may be open.)


Riverview Park 

At 3.3mi you'll see the Chain Dam to the left.


Chain Dam 

 At 5mi when you see a boat ramp on the left
keep to the gravel road - the trail looked pretty rough.


Boat Launch

The gravel road will end at a T and STOP sign at Hope Road.


Hope Road 

Turn left, go under the arched bridge and approach the yacht club gate.


Arched Bridge 

At 7.4mi facing the front of the gate, the trail continues to your right.


Yacht Club


Trail at Yacht Club 

This gravel trail will take through the Freemansburg canal area at 8.6mi.
This is a great rest stop with picnic tables.


Locktender's House at Lock #44 

From Freemansburg continue on the trail bearing left.
At 12.5mi pass under Minsi Trail Bridge
which is accessible via steps if you are so inclined.


Gravel Trail 

Keep on the gravel trail to Sand Island Park.
At 13.6mi, Sand Island Park, cross the second pedestrian bridge on your left
and turn RIGHT onto River St.
Turn RIGHT onto Main St.
This takes you to Old Bethlehem towards your left
which offers plenty to do.

Or, you can continue on to the the Bethlehem Steel Stacks
by turning RIGHT onto W. Lehigh St.
turn RIGHT at 14.1mi and cross the bridge over the river.
Turn LEFT onto Columbia St.
LEFT onto Polk
RIGHT onto 1st or 2nd.
Either street will take you to the steel stacks at ~15mi.
There are food and restrooms here.


The Steel Stacks

What is cool about this destination
is the old steel stacks
which can be viewed up close
by the Hoover Mason Trestle, a walkway.
After taking in the steel stacks,
we returned the way we came.

I'll post about the Hoover Mason Trestle and Steel Stacks shortly. 

Suburban Girl recommends this trail because
it is mostly level,
it runs along a river and/or canal,
you'll pass by occasional ruins,
the trail is mostly shaded,
there is wildlife to see,
Riverview Park and Freemansburg provide rest areas,
there is plenty to do at your destination.
















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14 comments:

Tamar SB said...

How great you two can get back to the hiking and biking! I love that trail, did it once or twice as a kid!

Laurie said...

What a great bike ride! And 30 miles....awesome!

Latane Barton said...

Was that you I passed as I came home to Va. from my visit to NY... just kidding. That's quite a bike ride!!

MadSnapper said...

I will show this to Bob when he gets home from the park. he will recognize some or all of it i am sure. that is quite a long ride and lots to see along it... have fun with your new life of exercise.

abrianna said...

It does look like a lovely trail and those steel stacks are wonderful photographic subjects.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Great shots. Love the Lock Tender's house, cute.
Have a great day!

Adrienne said...

My husband and I have taken up hiking - the empty nest isn't all bad!! Was on one trail this weekend and there was a map for a walking trail - much longer and full of history - that I'm longing to try! Thanks for sharing - very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

There's a new freedom (after the "I miss the kids" period) to do more things you like yourself:) Love the locktender's house:)

Sarah Huizenga said...

Good for you to be picking up the pieces and parts of life before kids. The bike ride is lovingly well documented. I can't wait to see more about the steel stacks.

A Colorful World said...

That's a SERIOUS biking excursion! Wow...are you "feeling it" or were you ready for the miles? Great photos! Such a great trip for biking.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

We'll done on completing the bike trail. It would be too far for me nowadays.

EG CameraGirl said...

It's great that you and your husband can see the bright side of your empty nest...and you can spend lots of quality time together doing something you both enjoy!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

That looks like a fun path to ride. I like that you tell where the bathrooms are. Always a good thing to know.
The View from the Top of the Ladder

4 Lettre Words said...

What a lovely adventure!