As part of the D&L’s National Trails Day celebration, we will begin to install mile markers along sections of the D&L Trail. Right now there are three areas where markers will be installed: Freemansburg to Bethlehem, Parryville to Weissport, and Walnutport to Lehigh Gap.

The mile markers are six-inch, maroon and white, oval metal signs that will be mounted at the top of wooden posts. The top will say “D&L Trail,” and the center will indicated the mile. When the system is done, there will be markers on accessible portions of the trail from Easton to Wilkes-Barre. The Delaware Canal already has a system of markers.

We need volunteers for all aspects of this project, from providing wheel barrows to erecting posts. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dennis Scholl by phone at 610-923-3548 (ext.225) or by email at Dennis@DelawareandLehigh.org.

Although we can estimate the length of D&L Trail sections using river mile charts and topographical maps, there is no substitute for walking the trail with a surveying wheel and taking GPS readings. This is precisely what we began to do on Tuesday. Despite the rain, we walked the twelve miles from the Forks of the Delaware to Sand Island, rolling the wheel and placing pins at each mile along the section. On June 7, these pins will guide the volunteers who install our new mile markers.

This is a beautiful and relatively secluded section of railroad grade and canal towpath that follows the river’s edge and occasionally dips back into the woods. After eight miles or so, the forest gives way to the canal town of Freemansburg and Lehigh Canal Park. The next four mile stretch offers views of Bethlehem Steel, a lock recently revealed by the work of our Trail Tenders, and leads to the parking area on Sand Island.

During the walk, we saw deer tracks, fish jumping in the river and the canal, and a variety of birds, including Orioles, warblers, and mergansers. All of this between two cities!

[Photographs courtesy of Will Minehart]

The D&L invites you to join us for a dedication event, as we celebrate our 20 year anniversary and National Trails Day. Seven directional blades will be unveiled along the D&L Trail.

• Slatington (at the Slatington trailhead) – 10:00 a.m.
• Walnutport (near the Locktender’s House) – 11:00 a.m.
• Bethlehem (eastern end of Sand Island) – 10:00 a.m.
• Freemansburg (near the mule barn) – 11:30 a.m.
• New Hope (at the Locktender’s House) - 2:00 p.m.
• Morrisville (at the trailhead across from Calhoun Street Bridge) – 12:00 noon
• Bristol (at the riverfront near Bristol Marsh) - 10:00 a.m.

Be the first to see the D&L Trail directional blade, hear up to the minute trail updates, have some snacks and take home a small token of our appreciation. We look forward to seeing friends of the Trail, old and new.