We took a day off after finishing our New Jersey 100 to rest – a much needed rest. Fortunately we had an extra day to ride and decided to ride the Lehigh Gorge Trail. It’s a 24 mile trail from Jim Thorpe to White Haven. We had ridden this trail in the past to White Haven and back. Today we used a shuttle service to White Haven and returned to Jim Thorpe.
The Lehigh Gorge is a deep, steep, walled gorge. The trail is a gradual downhill grade on an abandoned railroad bed.
Typical of nice smooth crushed stone trail – one of nicest surfaces we’ve ridden.
The trail follows the river the entire way to Jim Thorpe. There was an area where every 1.5 miles there was a back board at the ready for water rescues. Beside the boards were steep trails to the river.
Back boards for river rescues – in this area Lehigh River is class III.
The elevation on my Polar in White Haven read 1171 and 695 in Jim Thorpe. While it was a gradual downhill grade there was no coasting, we needed to pedal the entire distance.
Buttermilk Falls, just north of Rockport.
The scenery was beautiful – the steep wall of the gorge was covered in vegetation. We could hear the rapids on the river in many areas.
Train being loaded with railroad ties along trail.Nearing the end of the trail.Trestle bridge just outside of Jim Thorpe.Bridge over Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe. Remnant of former CNJ engine terminal near Jim Thorpe.
We had completed our Pennsylvania 100 in 2012 long before we started blogging. This trail and the Pine Creek Trail (aka Grand Canyon of PA) helped to inspire us to begin our journey to ride 100 miles in all the lower 48.
We were back on the D & R early this morning. Rain was predicted for the afternoon so we were on our bikes by 7:30 AM. There wasn’t as much shade riding south of Stockton and we were really feeling the heat and humidity.
Bridge tenders house in Stockton. NJ.
We missed a bridge crossing over the canal and ended up on a single track somewhat muddy trail for a few miles. Once we arrived in Lamberville we were back on the crushed stone well maintained trail.
Most of distance the trail ran between the river and the canal. There was plenty to see near Lambertville – remnants of locks, cobblestone spillway, stone arch culverts.
Lock along canal.Spillway on canal south of Stockton. Cobblestone embankments at spillway.
We had a pleasant morning ride. Enjoyed more sites along the river and the canal. Other trail users were out early as well attempting to beat the HEAT.
Temps were high so the shaded parts of trail provided some coolness. Lenny crossing narrow wooden bridge over spillway.Some retired tour boats along D & L trail on Pennsylvania side of Delaware River.
Hooray, we have completed our New Jersey 100! We were able to see some beautiful areas of northern New Jersey. Our plans are constantly changing due to the pandemic. We had hoped to ride the part of this trail traveling north east of Trenton but since Ohioans are not welcome in NJ at this time we stayed close to the Delaware. PA still welcomes Buckeyes!
We crossed bridge at Stockton – traveled north to Frenchtown. Second ride traveled south from Stockton to just north of New Hope.
This is a revisit for us. We rode this trail in 2012 while spending a week riding mostly in Pennsylvania. That was the trip that inspired us to ride 100 miles in all the lower 48 states. At that time we road from Long Valley to High Bridge which was about 22 miles round trip. Today we road from High Bridge to the end of the trail which is a 30 mile round trip.
Trailhead in High Bridge, NJ.
The trail is named for a natural gas pipeline that runs beneath the old trailbed of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
This shade was pretty typical of the entire trail.
Leaving High Bridge we had an uphill grade all the way to Long Valley. That’s about 10 miles and we were determined to make good time! 🤪 The trail ran high above the valley with the south branch of the Raritan River below. We needed to pay close attention as it was a long way down to the river.
Interesting old stone cabin in background along Columbia Trail.
We passed through the historic town of Califon, a Victorian-style town with 240 structures on National Register of Historic Places. Local legend says that the town was originally named California but the sign painter ran out of room and the name became Califon.
Restored train depot in Califon.
Near the end of the trail we saw kids being lead on horseback. They were having such a good time. That’s the kind of summer job I would have enjoyed growing up.
Be careful!! Some people may not have gotten the message. Kinda curious, do they carry extra large pooper scoopers?
We enjoyed an easier pedal on our return. With temps in the 90’s we really appreciated the shade and downhill grade. Just for the record that uphill grade seemedl less severe 8 years ago. 🤔
Bridge north of High Bridge. Site of tragic train wreck in 1885. I love seeing flags in random places.
Another flag picture to add to my collection. This was near the end of the trail in the middle of nowhere. Hope all enjoy it as much as we did. God bless America!!
We are ready to begin our New Jersey miles by way of Pennsylvania. We are staying at Westwood Villas in the Poconos.
Welcome!!
Just like with every other aspect of our lives, timeshares have changed. We have only spoken to one person since we checked in – that’s the person who checked us in. The villas had all linens sealed in plastic, not placed in bathrooms and kitchen. Coasters, placemats, center piece and most pictures on walls are gone. Toaster sealed in plastic, no basket of snacks, no salt and pepper. We came prepared to only bike and brought food we would need for the week. Normally we would shop when we arrive. Occupancy is at about 50%.
Our first adventure is the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. We parked along the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania side.
It was just a short ride on the D&L Trail to a bridge that crossed the river to Stockton, NJ.
What WALK my bike? Bridge across Delaware River to Stockton, NJ. Bridge over Delaware River.
We headed north out of Stockton. Our only views of Stockton were from the trail, but there were coffee shops and restaurants right on the river. The homes on the river were beautiful. Looked like a nice peaceful place to visit.
View of canal and river from trail north of Stockton.Lock along Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail near Stockton.
We traveled to Frenchtown, which is near the beginning of the trail and 14 miles from our car. The trail was very well maintained crushed stone and dirt. The temps were in the 90’s so we were glad to have a light breeze and shade for almost the entire route. We were just above the river at times, but enjoyed parts of trail in dense forest. We experienced more bikers and other trail users as we arrived in Frenchtown, busy little town with cafes and restaurants along the river. The river was busy with people tubing and rafting. Trailhead was busy with buses delivering equipment and passengers.
Frenchtown near beginning of trail – the end for us and 14 miles back to where we began on the other side of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.
We stopped at about 5 miles from our car to refill water bottles and have a snack. Because of the hot weather we each fill 2 bottles with NUUN – hydrating electrolyte tablets. We had gotten into the habit of only using water, but NUUN was a lifesaver. Even with the 90 degree weather we felt refreshed.
Lenny navigating stairway on our return to Pennsylvania after crossing bridge over Delaware River. Notice tire rail guides on each side of steps to aid climbing steps. D & L Trail and Canal State Park Trail share trail at times.
TrailLink describes the Delaware and Raritan Trail as the crown jewel of New Jersey trails. We certainly enjoyed the portion of the trail we rode. The canal, river and forest kept things interesting.
