hikes34to36

Hike #34 6/20/1
Upper Worthington State Forest Hike
Yet another new hike. On a Wednesday, Ron, Peeps, and Alf, wanting to do a small hike, joined me to begin walking from the Kitittinny Point Information Station in Worthington State Forest in a big circle.
We began by walking the cement road to the part of the NYS&W railroad right of way where it is still walkable (Route 80 was built on most of the railbed). We followed this, now known as "Karamak Trail" to the site of the Delaware bridge and Karamak inn. All that remains of the bridge is four abutments, one of which has sunk into the water a great deal.
After trotting around on the Inn's ruins, we continued along the trail to Fairview parking lot where we crossed the road to Fairview trail (also known as "Bealahlands Trail") which we used to ascend to the ridge. We took a slight detour down Holly Springs Trail to refill our water supply. Ron was already unhappy that we had ascended such a large hill.
Next, we followed the Appalachian Trail to backpacker site two, at this time the only legal site in Worthington,
where after a short break we descended on Douglas Trail; a trail that was made to follow the path on an old woods road. There was another spring on this trail which we used to refill water. Peeps made a small dam to collect water for our next trip here.
Next, we followed Northwest Trail, another former road, as far as the brook that drains from Sunfish Pond. From here we followded Sunfish Drainage Trail to the Pond on an incredibly ardous incline.
This was a very interesting trail, due to the fact that much of it includes walking on a bed of stones which completely covers the brook flowing beneath it. In certain sections there were holes that allowed us to see the water below.
Ron was very upset by now, for we had detoured far from the most direct route to the pond: the Appalachian Trail.
Alf was set back becuase of his sandles, and Ron by his backpack. Peeps and I took the front.
At Sunfish Pond, we went swimming from the rock structures made by hikers on the northwest shore.
Next, we followed the A.T. to the junction with Garvey Springs Trail. We followed this trail back down to Northwest Trail and to the Old Mine Road where we rested near the waterfall on the drainage brook.
Peeps and I kept a very fast pace back to the gap along the road. Ron and Alf stopped after going probably about 15 miles. Peeps and I did an estimated 18. We made especially good time, as we ran near the end.
Ron and Alf were both happy again after getting food in their systems.
Hike #35 6/24/1
Lower Worthington State Forest Hike
This second time for this hike I was joined by Tea Biscuit, Peeps, and Alf.
We again began in the Dunnfield Creek parking lot to begin our ascent. The trail from this parking lot that once interstected with Mt. Tammany (Red Dot) Trail had been covered with sticks and such. It seems that the park service wishes to discontinue it's use as a trail. Still, we followed its' path to the existing trail. Alf was again closest to keeping up with me. Peeps and Tea Biscuit both carried backpacks this time, slowing them down.

We rested at the viewpoint of Mt. Tammany where we met a woman observing a group of hawks roosting on a nearby rock. After our brief rest we followed Blue Dot trail to the beginning of Mt. Tammany Fire Road. This trail was more overgrown than our last time here. By this time the sky had cleared up quite a bit. Also, we may have found the beginning of "Yellow Trail", a trail that according to newer Kittittinny Trail maps was now nonexistent.
When we approached the Upper Yards Creek Resevoir, we were able to see the Hainesburg Viacuct, barely visible among the trees.
When we reached the picnic area at the Lower Resevoir, we took a bathroom break and sat on the benches. Peeps somehow was able to climb up onto the giant pipe connecting the two resevoirs.
On the dirt road toward the Boy Scout camp, a car approached from behind and we all made believe we were riding horses as in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", which seemed very amusing to the cars's passenger. The ascent on Kaiser Road went easy, as did the rocky Appalachian Trail to Mohican Road. On the way we met a Ridge Runner who we discussed the maintenance of the trails with.
At Mohican Road we used Ron's cell phone (which he lent to Peeps)
to call my beloved Cathy to let her know we were alright. Then we called Ron, and Peeps called a list of other people.
Upon reaching the mines, I realized I had forgotten a flashlight, so we did not go far inside.
The ascent on the northwest part of Kaiser Road seemed to hit us the toughest this time. Tea Biscuit fell behind more than usual. I had forgotten what this particular trail looked like and thought for some time that we had made a wrong turn. We rested again on Mt. Mohican.
At Sunfish Pond we opted to follow the south shore again so we could be sure we could go swimming. Tea Biscuit, Peeps and I swam and Alf stayed on shore.
Next, we began following Dunnfield creek trail. Where the trail meets the creek, it breaks off to either side of the creek, neither side easier to follow.
When we reached the small waterfalls, we went for a dip in the deep pool above them. The water was absolutely freezing.
Alf, whos hunger knew no bounds, decided to run the last stretch back to my car.
When we reached the car Peeps and Tea Biscuit took notice of two rather attractive young girls sitting in a car nearby. They both headed over there telling Alf and I they'd get them to take a picture of us as a dumb exuse to talk to them. Unbeknownst to us, they told the girls that Alf and I wanted our pictures taken with them. The agreed and started heading over. They must have been surprized when Tea Biscuit and Alf posed for the picture with them as Alf took the shot and I leaned on my camaro. We ate dinner at Enzo's.
Hike #36 6/27/1
Sarepta to Washington
This time I was joined only by Conrad. My grandmother dropped us off to the worst horde of horseflies we had ever seen. I had to

put on my flannel shirt, despite the heat, to keep from being bitten. Conrad tolk me I had about ten of them on my back at one point. We were forced to run to the Catherines
Run crossing where the bugs were'nt quite as bad. Conrad wanted to avoid the wet Manunka Chunk tunnel, so we went over the mountain. I led him on a shortcut through a bunch of tall weeds. By the time we'd reached the north portal we were already very sweaty.
While walking the Bel Del right of way we met an old White Township resident named Lou, who was carrying a newspaper picture of the Bel Del Railroad's bridge over Rt. 46, a bridge I had never even seen a picture of. Coincidentally, he and I have some of the same railroad books and have visited several of the same places. Also, the newspaper picture was from the collection of Richard Harpster, the reporter that had a large influence against the Tocks Island Dam project that would have flooded much of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area, destroying a great deal of history and natural beauty. I had recently been in contact with Mr. Harpster and thanked him on behalf of Hike Club for helping to preseve the area the we hikers treasure so much.
Next, while just passing the first fence for Hoffman LaRoche, a white jeep passed. We got down low and were'nt seen. Unwilling to risk being detected, I decided we would follow the field below the right of way.
The field, in some parts, may have been at one time a kind of park. It had benches and such.
The undergrowth along the river this time was very thick, causing us to lose time.
We were nervous already from seeing the jeep earlier; at the building where Hoffman LaRoche's fences turn, Conrad had a pipe blow air on him suddenly, making a loud noise. He then said "That's going on the website.".
We also took the longer way into Belvidere, following the river more closely as we had done before the first Delaware-Phillipsburg Hike.
In Belvidere we stopped at Skoogy's Deli, then moved on.
At the retirement community, there was still construction going on, but they had made a great deal of progress since my last visit. Also, there was now a metal fence (a small one, unlocked) over the railbed before reaching the developement. I threw the bar to the gate into the weeds, and Conrad retrieved it and replaced it. There was also a path laiden with sawdust running through the developement close to the path of the railroad. I suspected that it could be for a potential hiking trail.
The railbed was very overgrown between Belvidere and Bridgeville, probably because the developement deters motorcyclists from reaching that section.
We followed the railbed from Bridgeville to Buttsville where we decided to use the highway to get to Washington faster. Conrad had left his 1979 BMW at Sam's Auto Service in Washinton and had to be back by 5pm to pick it up. Along this stretch it had become so hot that Conrad had taken his shirt off (which he NEVER does) and we were forced to rest in a bus shelter.
With only a brief stop in Oxford for a drink, we made our way to Washinton in good time.