By
david3
in
1/21/2007 12:00:00 AM
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"If you'd like to see more photos of the Allegheny River, Sandy Creek and Justus Trails go to:
www.themanfromvan.com
This is my home turf and I ride these trails almost daily when the weather permits. Thanks everyone !!"
By
david3
in
9/30/2006 12:00:00 AM
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"For those interested, some fast facts on this trail's former life as a railroad:
1. The entire trail was once part of the New York, Susquehanna & Western RR. This company still exists and can be seen at the east end of the trail in Sparta Jct.
2. The Lehigh & New England RR operated trains on the portion between Hainesburg Jct (just to the west of the Paulinskill Viaduct) and Swartzwood Jct (half a mile north of Rt 622 crossing.) This RR discontinued operations in 1961.
3. NYS&W and L&NE interchanged traffic at Hainesburg Jct. There were once many tracks there and much activity.
4. When the L&NE quit running, the NYS&W lost most of the traffic on the line west of Sparta Jct. The line was abandoned between Sparta Jct and Hainesburg Jct in 1963.
5. The NYS&W and L&NE lines both ran west into Pennsylvani -- bringing coal and other products into North Jersey, New York, and New England.
6. The hamlets and villages along the PVT also provided traffic to the RR. Creameries were common as the many dairy farms sent their products to market, and received feed and other supplies. Creameries and/or feed stores stood next to the RR at Hainesburg and Blairstown. Ice was also harvested from lakes and ponds beside the line prior to refridgeration."
By
david3
in
9/30/2006 12:00:00 AM
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"This is a great trail in so many ways. Easily-located trailheads, plenty of parking, and even restrooms (if porto-potties are acceptable to you.)
I had intended to ride from Blairstown west to the end of the trail in Columbia today. I made it up to roughly half a mile past the viaduct (near the site of Hainesburg Junction.) Lots of standing water (puddles) and brush intruding on the trail swayed me to turnback.
A year and a half ago, my first visit to this trail was at the other end (Warbasse Jct-Sparta Jct), and I found that part of the trail to be in similar condition then.
Seems clear to me that the middle of the trail is the most popular, so it seems to get more attention. It is possible that I have those two things in reverse order, though.
In any event, the trail west from the footbridge in Blairstown is a mix of wide cinder/dirt path and single track, with some sections of double track, as well. The scenery is beautiful, especially if you ride at a leisurely pace and catch more details. For example, I saw a dew-covered spider web that was glistening in the morning sunshine.
As other reviewers have stated here, the trail gets a little lost at the airport. It could be marked better. When traveling west on the trail, signs say ""stay on road - .2 mile). The sign should read, ""Proceed to end of Airport Driveway"" or some such thing that plainly states the facts.
Also, the loose dirt at the end of the airport driveway needs to be improved upon. My hybrid tires did not agree with it. It looks as though some sort of grading is going on, though, so this small issue may soon be addressed.
Next ride will be Blairstown east to Rt 206. Looking forward to returning once more to PVT."
By
david3
in
10/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
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"First time on this trail. Main trail is good. The ""back track"" is rough, with a cliff you have to detour around to get back on the path. Did not make it to Mt. Pisgah, where the view is tremendous. Ran out of time. "
By
david3
in
6/16/2005 12:00:00 AM
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Can't wait for the Atlas columns to adorn the new trailhead! What a fitting monument! (see pictures for the columns)
By
david3
in
5/24/2005 12:00:00 AM
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"The trail extension into Northampton really looks great! Once the Atlas columns are moved there, it will look even better!"
By
david3
in
11/3/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"Monday, Nov. 1, was my first time on this trail. I biked from Glen Onoko to Rockport. This is a great trail with lots of history and some easy pedaling. Next time, I plan to start at Rockport and go to Whitehaven.
I took some nice pictures. The waterfalls were nice. I would like to have seen the Glen Onoko falls, but I didn't have time due to darkness."
By
david3
in
10/17/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"I rode 15 miles out from the Mabel trailhead. It's a beautiful ride. I saw lots of wildlife later in the day. Around 1:00 p.m. I saw two deer about 100 yards up the trail. They ran alongside the trail for about a quater mile as we rode behind them. Later I rode up on a 10 foot alligator that was sunning about 6 feet alongside the trail.
When my friend rode up along side of it after I already passed, the gator jumped off the trail side and dove into the swamp! It was a fantastic site. We also saw no less then 20 turtles, and several snakes.
Don't let my review scare you -- all these critters run from you. They hear you coming before you see them. This is an excellent trail. Ride it and take in the beauty and leave nothing but great memories."
By
david3
in
10/13/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"This is an excellent trail for heads-down-mindless-cardio-pedaling. If you want to get a good workout in this is a great trail. There's good shade, it's a long, flat, and straight-as-an-arrow trail with few road crossings. Watch out for small alligators, and snakes on the trail. Don't worry -- they'll run first!"
By
david3
in
9/26/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"I rode the trail today from Branchville to the Newton detour. Overall, it was suprisingly dry.
From Branchville to Smith Hill Rd, the trail is in its poorest condition. It is very clearly single track, with weeds growing more than handle-bar-high at times.
A washout threatens the trail, but it is still passable by walking the bike along the edge of the stream. Hikers would have no problem. Maintenance folks have some temporary fencing up; I hope that a lasting solution can be found there. East of the washout, the trail is narrow but solid for the last half-mile to Smith Hill Rd.
After crossing that road (and the ""official"" trail-head parking area), the trail is in much better shape. Usage is clearly higher here. The trail is wide and shows more evidence of maintenance. It is very nice.
I did encounter a segment that has railroad ballast as a trail surface. This is not at all bike-friendly; the large stones made it tough for my hybrid bike's tires. I am looking forward to the time when the ground absorbs the ballast. I hope the state park folks can find something else to use in the future.
All in all, it is a nice ride, with the full spectrum of benevolent woodland creatures making appearances. I saw deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, countless types of birds (including a blue heron), and much more if I stopped to look, I'm sure.
Do not hesitate to ride this trail. I suggest using Warbasse Junction as a base -- just off Route 94 on Route 663. This is the point where the Paulinskill and Sussex Branch trails cross. Rides/walks of varying lengths are available in 4 directions."
By
david3
in
7/26/2004 12:00:00 AM
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"The rail-trail that was completed in Blackwood, New Jersey, several years ago has been expanded another mile or so north to Blenheim, ending at Almondeson Road. There is another completed section in Runnemede. They are working on plans to connect the two segments and eventually going to Bellmawr where the Grenloch Branch becomes active."
By
david3
in
2/23/2004 12:00:00 AM
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Definitely check out the Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway if you're a city dweller looking for a great escape from the city.
By
david3
in
7/3/2003 12:00:00 AM
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"Unfortunately the rollerbladers ruin this trail. They sway back and forth along the entire width of the trail and they all wear headphones so even when you scream ""On Your Left"" they don't really hear. "
By
david3
in
12/24/2002 12:00:00 AM
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"The Cady Way Trail is a nice short trail that mainly skirts residential areas in Winter Park. Getting to the trailhead at Fashon Square Mall is very easy and is recommended for those unfamiliar with the area. The end of trail in Winter Park is a bit harder to find unless you know how to get to the community pool. The north end of the trail is well shaded and very pleasant even on sunny Florida days. The southern end is exposed more to the sun as it rounds the Golf Course and then the military training center. None the less it is a pleasant ride or hike, and an excellent distance for a quick jog. The last time I visited there were no facilities for the Cady Way trail, just a Gazebo and a water fountain at the fashion Square mall end. A wise man will put up a cold drink concession!! I miss Orlando and the trails, I hope to be back soon when I retire and enjoy them again."