ABOUT THE PARK:
Abbott Marshlands - Friends for the Abbott Marshlands
Although this separate section of the towpath is part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, it is not mentioned on their site.
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.15635, -74.71839
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| Scenic overlook parking on I-295 southbound. |
TRAIL MAP:
Abbott Marshlands: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Towpath - NJ Trails Association
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HIKE DISTANCE: 8.65 miles
THE HIKE:
This was our first family hike with granddaughter Ellie who just turned 3 months old.
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| Scenic overlook of the Delaware River. |
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| To get to the trail on the other side of I-295 there are steps and a ramp. |
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| Descending on the other side of the interstate. What could my son be pointing to down there? |
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| It would be balloon #44 of the year. |
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| On the trail. At the fork we went right - left would be the return route. |
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| Crossing the bridge to do the southern part first. |
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| Delaware & Raritan Canal |
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| There were tons of red-winged blackbirds everywhere - males, females and juveniles. |
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| Granddaughter Ellie loves looking at trees. We think she has the hiking gene. |
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| The loooooooong bridge over Crosswicks Creek. |
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| The southern end of this section ends at the Bordentown Yacht Club. |
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| Although this entire trail runs right along railroad tracks, maybe half a dozen of these short, very quiet trains passed. |
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| Heading back. |
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| After the short bridge, we turned right to follow along the canal with the railroad tracks on the other side of the canal. |
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| Marshlands in the distance. Shawnee and I hiked the trails on that side in 2014 - Bordentown Bluffs and Roebling Memorial Park |
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| The trail becomes more woods roadish as it follows a petroleum pipeline. |
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| Marshes on the left although hard to see with foliage. |
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| Way up ahead yet more red-winged blackbirds. |
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| Ellie wants to ride for a bit. That is Shawnee's stroller that the car seat (and our stuff) fits into very nicely. |
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| Balloon #45 of the year. |
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| Going under I-295. |
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| The stroller also makes a nice changing table. |
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| Another train passing on the other side of the canal. |
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| A memorial off of the trail. |
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| The trail ends at Canal Boulevard but we went left to the intersection then left on Lamberton Road to see if there was a river view. |
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| There was not but to the right is parking for the northern end of the trail. |
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| Heading back along Canal Boulevard. |
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| It's not far at all from that parking spot to the trail. |
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| When we get separated from the others... |
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| ... Brodie likes to wait until we are all together again. |
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| A snake shed its skin. |
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| Part of the return hike, mostly through the power cut and petroleum pipeline cut, was now in full sunlight and the temps would reach 85 degrees. It was hot! |
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| Black rat snake. |
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| The ducks were having a blast splashing in the canal. |
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| Here we turn right to get back to the scenic overlook parking. |
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| Taking the stairs this time. |
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| Heading home. |
