Canal Walk 2018
Learn about the Delaware Canal’s past, present, and future and enjoy the company of good friends, new and old.
This year we will be heading north from Bristol Borough to Easton, an uphill climb of 165 feet. Our typical 58.9-mile journey will be shortened to only 53.9 miles as we skip the Conrail passageway project in Morrisville and use the PA/NJ Loop Trail to bypass the Phillips’ Mill bridge construction.
September 29: Riverfront Park in Historic Bristol Borough to Falls Township Community Park (6.2 miles)
Our Canal adventure will begin at the Delaware River where canal boats waited in the basin to be towed to Philadelphia. Spot the landmark Grundy Clock Tower. Trek through industrialized Bucks County and find out how the coming of U.S. Steel changed the landscape. Marvel at the Canal as a green oasis.
Lunch Stop: Falls Township Community Park pavilion off of Wheatsheaf Road.
October 6: Black Rock Road Picnic Area, 1.7 miles south of the town of Yardley, to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve (10 miles)
Spy the ship mast that was used to unload coal boats in Yardley. Explore the outlying areas of Washington Crossing. Learn about the unique David Library of the American Revolution. Take in our country’s colonial history at the Thompson-Neely House, Grist Mill, and Soldiers’ Graves.
Lunch Stop: Washington Crossing Historic Park at Route 532.
October 13: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938 to Point Pleasant, PA (12.7 miles)
Find out how canal boats crossed the river to get to New York. Discover the secrets of Lock 11. Delight in the quirky tapestry that is New Hope. Detour around the Phillips’ Mill bridge replacement by using the PA/NJ Canal Loop Trail. Admire the River vistas and homes in Centre Bridge. Be charmed by Lumberville. Find out whether Devil’s Half Acre deserves its name. Cross the Tohickon Creek on the handsome timber aqueduct.
Lunch Stop: Dilly’s at Centre Bridge.
October 20: Bridge 2 Lane in Point Pleasant, PA 18950 (use Pipersville, PA for GPS) to the new Ringing Rocks Trailhead in Upper Black Eddy (11 miles)
Learn how Smithtown, plows, and the famous Walking Purchase are connected. Understand how canal water is handled at the Tinicum Aqueduct. Step back in time in Uhlerstown, the “best preserved canal hamlet in America.” See two authentic camelback bridges. Indulge in a treat at the Homestead Store.
Lunch Stop: Tinicum Park, Erwinna.
October 27: The new Ringing Rocks Trailhead, 1868 River Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972 to the Forks of the Delaware River Recreation Area, 210 South Delaware Avenue (Route 611), Easton, PA 18042 (14 miles)
Be dwarfed by the Nockamixon Cliffs. Pass Durham – home to the famous furnace, limestone cave, and history-making boats. Spy the Roebling Bridge in Riegelsville. Tour Groundhog Lock with its unique power house. Our journey will end where cargo-laden boats made their way from the Lehigh Navigation into the Delaware Canal.
Lunch Stop: Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville.
All walks start at 9 a.m. sharp.
Return to the starting point is accomplished by carpooling.
Walk any or all of the segments. The walks are free, but donations to the Friends will be gratefully accepted. Becoming a member is even better!
For more information, call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org
On Saturday, August 11th, it RAINED in the upper stretches of the Canal causing local flooding. Fry’s Run near Raubsville rose to a level higher than the canal aqueduct, and the tremendous force of the water against the temporary pipes, which were carrying the Canal’s water over the Run, were ripped out of place – as well as stone walls and some River bank.
