By Fred on May 29, 2002
"This section of restored Morris Canal and towpath is divided into two disconnected sections. About 1/2 mile section in Waterloo Village is well restored, with water in the canal, descriptive signs are restored canal structures. The Canal Society of New Jersey Museum is located here. Below the village parking lot, fishing is very popular in the canal.
Route 80 currently cuts this section off form the 1 1/2 mile section of towpath below. In this section, the towpath is clear, but the canal is essentially an overgrown trench. There are signs at various points of interest, and sturdy wooden bridges cross water channels. There is a passageway under Rte 80, but it is not currently accessible without some unpleasant bushwhacking on foot. These sections are suitable for biking, although there are some sections of exposed roots.
About 1 mile beloe the current southern end of the towpath, at Saxton Falls, there is another section of canal and towpath at a lock and dam. The towpath extends close to 1/2 mile north on a causeway near the lake shore. Here the canal traffic used the slack water off the lake behind the dam. South of Saxton Falls the canal crosses Rte 604. There is a short section of well cleared towpath which ends at dense vegetation just after the point that the canal again holds water. Clearing is scheduled to continue from here as volunteer time becomes available.
All in all, this is a very interesting walk/ride along an amazing feat of engineering from our past. Let's hope the restoration of the towpath continues.
Rates an 8 out of 10!
Fred"