ABOUT THE PARK:
Plainfield Township Trail - TrailLink.com
Everything I read about this trail said the surface was crushed stone or dirt. Turns out the surface is asphalt, which is not the type of trail I had in mind. Great for biking, no so great for hiking.
DIRECTIONS:
In trying to find a part that was not asphalt, we hike two sections driving from one trailhead to the other.
Belfast Junction Trailhead - GPS Coordinates 40.76598, -75.27150
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| A very busy lot, almost full even before 7 AM. |
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Knitter's Hill Trailhead: GPS Coordinates 40.82664, -75.26673
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| A smaller, less used lot. It was pretty full when we arrived, but almost empty when we finished around 11 AM. |
TRAIL MAP:
Plainfield Township Recreation Trail Map - Plainfield Township, PA
HIKE DISTANCES:
Belfast Junction north to Mile Marker 1.75 - 3.7 miles (1.85 miles each way)
Knitter's Hill south to second bridge - 2.5 miles (1.25 miles each way)
THE HIKE:
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| Starting at the Belfast Junction Trailhead. The intention was to give Shawnee some more practice on dirt surfaces, which did not happen. |
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| We were joined by Peanut who is staying with us for the week and is also a hiker. |
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| I always wondered if they could make people pick up horse manure - I suppose so! |
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| Waiting patiently while I ran some Peanut manure back to the garbage can since we were only a few steps away. |
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| This overlooks Little Bushkill Creek down to the right but not much to see with the leaves on the trees. |
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| There is Little Bushkill Creek. |
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| There are a few well-marked road crossings. |
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| Shortly after this point the trail runs behind some McMansions so this is where we turned around. |
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| Heading back and the trail was getting way more crowded. |
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| Almost back at the Belfast Junction Trailhead, then in the car to... |
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| Knitter's Hill Trailhead |
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| After the second bridge we took a break overlooking Little Bushkill Creek. |
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| Heading back. This section was not near as busy as the Belfast Junction section. But it was still all asphalt and we just weren't feeling that. |
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| Little Bushkill Creek |
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| Easier going in the grass. |
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| Knitter's Hill road crossing just before the parking lot on the right. |
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| Not what we were looking for but still good exercise and wheelchair practice to work up to harder hikes. |
Glad to see Shawnee out there enjoying herself. Its also good to see the sign about cleaning up horse manure. I've always wondered why equestrians get a pass in leaving this stuff all over multi use trails. Lately though, I avoid multiuse trails. I've had enough with near-misses due to bikers tearing around blind corners at unsafe speeds. I find a lot of horse riders to be far worse than cyclists in terms of a sense of entitlement lately. They seem to think that the rule of hikers yielding to horses means hikers should get off the trail and out of sight of their horses. This is true even in places like Waywayanda State Park in NJ where the multiuse trails are old forest roads that are 12 - 15 feet wide.
ReplyDeleteThere were no horses either! I guess it's kind of hard to clean up after horses but seriously, stepping in it is so annoying!
DeleteDaniela
Good to see Shawnee still joining you on the trail. It looked like a nice place but I know what you mean about not walking on soft dirt as opposed to blacktop. Blacktop is harder on your feet and back. Thanks for sharing and I hope Shawnee continues to be able to join you on the hikes. Joanne from NJ
ReplyDeleteShawnee was bored and lagging (and I worry she might be getting tired but she always does that on pavement) and my thighs were screaming. Yes, blacktop is horrible to walk on!
DeleteDaniela
I loved seeing Shawnee out in nature, seeing the sights, smelling the smells and sharing her hike with you and a dog pal. May all of us experience such joys in our senior years.
ReplyDeleteI think that is why she does not mind the wheelchair at all. I do believe she sees it as giving her the freedom to continue experiencing all those things that she loves!
DeleteDaniela
Hey, this is our local walking trail. :D
ReplyDelete