My son and I met up with Bob of Bob's Bicycle Service and this group of riders in Roselle Park and we all rode together to the start of the tour at the Elizabeth City Hall, about 2.7 miles away. (Photo by Bob of Bob's Bicycle Service) If you ever need work on your bike I highly recommend Bob. I had my bike elsewhere for work last fall and there was no difference. Took it to Bob who made a few adjustments and wow, what an improvement in how my bike rides.
This was early on. It would get much more crowded as more riders arrived.
D&R Canal State Park Riverview Parking Lot (There is a large lot in Frenchtown but I prefer not to park there because Frenchtown gets packed later in the day.)
From the Riverview parking lot there is actually no path to the trail - you just have to make your way through not-so-short wet grass and a ditch to get there.
Right on the path into Frenchtown.
Completely empty parking lot in Frenchtown at 7 AM. It would be packed in the afternoon.
Crossing the street up ahead and left ...
... over the bridge.
The Delaware River was fogged in this early in the morning.
The other side of the bridge a left on Route 32 for a short distance then ...
... the first right on Uhlerstown Hill Road.
Just before the covered bridge ...
... signs on the left direct to the canal trail.
Right on the canal trail under the covered bridge.
A very short distance ahead, right on a wide mowed path into Giving Pond Recreation Area.
Giving Pond in the fog.
Who is that flying around?
It's an osprey! I had never seen one along the Delaware River before.
Continuing on around the recreation area.
The pond views are to the left through picnic areas.
Coming out at the main parking lot where poop bags await pickup by that elusive Poop Fairy.
To the left is a boat launch.
Continuing through the parking lot to mowed paths on the other side. They are a bit confusing because some lead nowhere so you kind of have to feel your way around.
A view from the far side of Giving Pond where ...
... that osprey was again.
There were also tons of killdeer hopping around on that piece of land jutting out into the water but they are so camouflaged I did not capture a single one in my pictures.
Finally found my way out to the road where I turned left ...
... then right just before the bridge ...
... back to the canal trail.
The trail becomes really narrow at times.
Just after going under this bridge ...
... there is a path on the right leading up to and over the bridge to access Ringing Rocks County Park. This is also the route of the Highlands Trail in Pennsylvania.
Looking down at the canal trail from the bridge.
The path leads to the parking lot where there is no place to secure a bike.
So I continued on through the parking lot to the trail walking the bike in search of a place to lock it up.
After crossing Route 32 up some steps ...
... and up the hill to where I finally found a place to secure my bike and change from biking gear into hiking gear.
Following the Highlands Trail up, pretty steeply at times.
At the top is the white-blazed loop trail around the boulder field. The Highlands Trail blazes end here, presumably because there is no connection to Nockamixon State Park yet.
There are a few access trails along the way to the boulder field.
Passing by the kiosk where a parking lot is to the right.
Where else can you see children wielding hammers? Didn't really hear any ringing, just a bunch of clunking.
Continuing on around ...
... to a trail on the right to ...
High Falls
Then to a path down to the creek.
High Falls Creek
Finishing the loop, right on the Highlands Trail to retrace back down.
Back at the bike to change from hiking gear back into biking gear.
Crossing Route 32 which was pretty busy at this point.
