Cycling Stony Valley Rail Trail and the Union Canal Tunnel

Located in PA State Game Lands 211 

outside of Jonestown, Lebanon County, PA

the Stony Valley Railroad Grade is pretty isolated. 

One end, close to where we started, 

is the Lebanon Reservoir and dam. 

The other end, 20 miles later, 

is near Ellendale Forge. 

But other trail users, 

and there were not many,

said you could get to Dauphin 

along the Susquehanna River from there as well.

The best sight along the trail was above...

do you see it?

There were several of them. 

Beaver Lodges. 

We saw 3 from one vantage point. 

We didn't see active beavers though.

This trail tends to be a little rough. 

My husband did not like it 

and was ready to leave way before me 

and I'm the one without shock absorption. 

We totaled 20 miles which means we 

completed half the trail. 

(20 mi is my mental limit 

unless motivated by something else...

ice cream maybe?)

I don't think either of us is in a hurry to 

complete the other half.

For trail info click here 

Since we were in the area we stopped to see the 

Union Canal Tunnel

which can be seen from a park with said name. 

The Union Canal Tunnel boasts being the oldest in the USA 

and was built 1825-1827. 

The mules used along the towpath made their way over top the tunnel 

while the boats were poled through it. 

For more canal info click here.

I would not go out of my way for either 

the rail trail or the tunnel, 

but if you are near it 

the tunnel is a nice stop.

Click here for my additional images.

Ghosts of Fricks Locks

Once upon a time
back when George Washington was fighting the British
there was a young woman, Miss Crumbaker,
who fell in love with a young visionary, Mr. Frick.


Porch Reflections

The two were married and
Mr. Frick saw opportunity
in the land his wife inherited from her father.
His vision: to bring a canal system through their property.


Boxwood Lodge

That would kind-of be like wanting
a major roadway running through your property.
But this was a money-making venture.
Tolls were collected for the
transport of coal and iron through the canal locks.


The Barn 

Soon an idyllic but busy village grew around
what was now call Fricks Locks.
As technology changed
so did Fricks Locks.
After years of success the canals
were replaced by railroads as a means of transportation.
But the residents of Fricks Locks
loved their village and stayed on.
They lived in a forgotten paradise.


John Frick's House

Technology soon changed things again.
This time, a nuclear power plant entered the scene.
The residents of Fricks Locks had to move out of their beloved village
as their homes were in the exclusion zone around the power plant.


Canal Store and Limerick Power Station 

Their village became an abandoned modern day ghost town
attracting vandals to the decaying structures.
But that is not the end of the Fricks Locks story.
Excelon, the power company that owns Fricks Locks
has invested 2.5 million in restoration of the historical village.
Today, you can tour the restored village
with volunteer guides from East Coventry Township.


Burned Out Locktender's House 

"An agreement between Exelon Generation Company, LLC, and the Township, allows the Village to be opened for escorted public access. Exelon completed the rehabilitation or stabilization of the buildings within the Village and the Township Historical Commission is helping people re-discover the local heritage that began nearly two centuries ago by providing educational guided tours." 
http://eastcoventry-pa.gov/index.asp?SEC=3B1D35AA-A2A6-41DE-B00C-3DA8A0555785 


More Work to be Done 

500 Lower Fricks Lock Road 
Pottstown, PA 19465 
East Coventry Twp.: (610) 495-5443 

Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown.

Ghost Town by Jerry Dammers  

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.

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.

The Party's Here! Where I am linking these days.

            

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.