Hike the Vibrant, Fragile Woodlands of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park

by Brian Schwarz, your Hiking Megalopolis guide

WHAT'S COOL? This epic hike in starts and ends in East Fairmount Park atop historic Strawberry Hill and is super transit-accessible. Cross the bridge toward Chamounix Ridge and wind through post-1880s urban forest to observe traces of the park's origins as a water-supply protector. Discover how a gradual piecing-together of private land for public use still struggles to find an identity as a cohesive and unified city park. In this unexpected natural refuge embedded into the urban core, you will find that citified walkers tread lightly as they co-exist with diverse flora and fauna on long or short hikes through this spectacularly fragile riparian zone.

You may have heard that there exists some kind of hidden, epic hiking loop in West Fairmount Park, somehow far from the pulsing city that surrounds it. Well, I can confirm that there is! After researching old maps and trudging through covered trails, I have connected the dots between smaller parks by locating lost bits of disjointed paths and describe for you here something that would have otherwise been lost to time.

It may not be well marked, but it is fairly easy to follow. Come along with me on one of the most complete hikes of the Chamounix Woods Trail. West Fairmount trails may be experienced alone or with some friends, but keep groups small and leave not trace of your visit. These directions are the result of ongoing scouting on foot as well a dreary winter's worth of online research. I hope they help you find your path, Philadelphia.

The loop I describe here has several connecting points throughout West Fairmount Park, but to get the full Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area experience, I recommend starting at the Strawberry Mansion parking area (2450 Strawberry Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19132), so you can cross the river and make sense of the bigger picture that is Fairmount.

Starting here also makes it more accessible to anyone in the City of Philadelphia with a yearning to explore - regardless of current financial status. Take any bus that goes to the Dauphin-Ridge Bus Loop and walk across 33rd to enter the park. (The 32 from Center City is one such route, for example.)

Wave hello to Tyson if you see him around the old mansion. He'll be the one dressed in post-Revolution Empire style. On a $5 tour - WHAT? Just cinco pesitos? - he gives the home that stayed neutral during the American Revolution a touch of Southern charm.

Need pic of Tyson in Empire regalia here in front of Strawberry Mansion

Take the steps on the right side, where the Boxers Trail makes its way down to the Schuylkill River. For an extra warm-up, walk down the steps and pace yourself as you make you way back up. Then take the right side pedestrian-friendly Strawberry Mansion Bridge as you are transported from East Park's Strawberry Hill to the foot of the Chamounix Ridge in West Park approaching City Ave, which is across the next ridge and through a riparian valley you'll discover on this hike over Pennsylvania's first piedmont ridge.

Pay attention to where you are as the Strawberry Mansion Bridge crosses the Schuylkill River, Kelly Drive, the Schuylkill River Trail and Martin Luther Drive. Subsequent bridges you'll cross include the Reading Railroad, whose tracks reach back east and branch back across the river into Brewerytown and the proposed Brewerytown Gateway. Finally, you'll cross the Schuylkill Expressway and then a historic stone bridge, which, if you'll look to the right, you notice a rustic-looking pedestrian path running below it. This is where you'll be returning from the hike.

Now, are you ready? Turn left after the bridge and enter the woods.Take this short connector trail through the woods, crossing quickly the trail you'll be returning on, and then a stream with options to cross at the water or over a fallen tree and rustic wooden footbridge.

On the Pipeline Trail, linking The Shredder to the 420

Soon you'll arrive at the front gate of the Philadelphia organic materials recycling center. Pretty easy so far, right? Continue on, and notice at the right side of the recycling center gate, between the fence and the gravel service road, there is a small dirt path. From here, the trail twists and turns deeper into the woods. Take this trail. Mountainbikers call it The Shredder.

Follow the Shredder Trail as it winds through the Schuylkill Wetlands. You'll go up and down as you hike downstream and back, almost unnociceably between the service road and the foot of I-76. Feel in awe of the quiet stillness you feel being just under the pulsing highway. Don’t take short cuts – turn left every chance you get. Downstream. Go down to the lowest elevations and back up to the heights as you get an intense hilly workout. It’s only about 100 feet difference, but you’ll feel it. Sweat it out as the Shredder Trail links up with the Pipeline Trail, but only having taken you on a riparian rollercoaster that includes two left turns and two significant ups and downs.

Flowers like this adorn the higher section of the 420 Trail

So again, take that third left, and then hang a fairly quick right to link up with the Pipeline. If you take another left you'll come out farther down the service road, where you can double back and pick up on this trail where it crosses this secluded packed-gravel path. So, continuing straight on rather than taking that fourth left will lead you to a point on the service road where you can cross over and continue on into the woods. This is the 420 Trail.

For some reason, I love the 420 trail. Take it all the way up to the corner of Belmont and Chamounix. Then, cross the stone bridge there and look for the dirt trail entrance to the South Edgley Trail, which continues into the woods at the Chamounix Picnic Area parking lot.

Chamonunix Path enters the woods, but immediately, where you may notice an old concrete picnic table that's been taken over by vegetation) you must turn right at South Edgley Trail. Notice a crumbling concrete picnic table that's been all but taken over by vegetation. Turning right, it's the South Edgley Trail for as long as you notice the Ultimate Frisbee fields on your left side. This eventually turns into the Chamounix Flat Trail, which winds around a surprisingly deep wood.

Hiker selfie, crossing an old trolley bridge on the Chamounix Flat Trail

Cross behind the Park Plaza Condos and then pass over Ford Road along an abandoned trolley bridge overgrown like you'd imagine in some dystopian-future novel. Find an exit trail on the right side if you’ve had enough hiking at this point – it will lead to the stairway at the corner of Ford Road and Chamounix Drive – or buck up and continue on the trail as it leads downhill to a gorgeous creek.

As these trails converge, follow the creek downstream along the orange-blazed Ford Road Flat Trail and you will soon cross beneath a stone bridge, notable for its unique underside of arched brick and starkly brilliant graffiti (I won't post a pic of it here; that'd spoil your surprise!). Continuing on, you will notice the orange blazes continue as you start climbing the tip of Chamounix Ridge, to the top by the Hostel Drop Trail. This trail leads back toward the interstate and then quickly cuts up through the hillside forest to the cul-de-sac at Chamounix Mansion Youth Hostel.

Neighbors I met through Nextdoor enjoy nature on Ford Road Flat Trail

Cross the Chamounix Road cul-de-sac, and beyond the hostel on the right, just near the Chamounix Mansion sign, the Log Jammin’ Trail begins. It's kind of like a log flume ride at Hershey Park or Dorney Park or Six Flags, or whatever. Personally, I would call this the Brown Bear Trail, if I were maker of at least this trail name. There’s big old brown decaying stump along the trail that just about scared the (insert expletive) out of me the first time I came upon it! Now I call this nature made brown bear and cub statue "Stump and Stumpy".

However, true to it's Log Jammin' moniker, there's a reason this section of trail is part of a short 1.5-mile loop hike that's part of my regular cardio fitness regime. It has two ways you can take, but both ways lead to the service road, yet each winds through a different section of woods along the Chamounix Hill, and each way its own charms.

Brown Bear and Cub (Stump and Stumpy) on the Log Jammin' Trail

For this hike, take top trail, as it's better maintained at the moment. You'll be behind the ball field - the one you'll notice from Chamounix Road is located across from the Friends of  Chamounix tennis courts; in fact, just behind home plate you'll notice a service road that heads downhill. Don't take it, unless you really want a short cut (lazy much?). Instead, cross the gravel path leads you on a loopty-loop single-track dirt trail for the full Log Jammin' experience. At the bottom, crossing the creek on your right would supposedly lead to a trail called the Cul-de-Sac Trail, but this scenic route may or may not be inaccessible - meaning I haven't taken it yet. In theory it crosses the creek and passes behind the Lilac House, where there's an Outward Bound facility tucked away at the historic Lilac House. I've seen where it reconnects to the aforementioned service road, so if you find it, it will lead you to the same place as the service road, at the intersection with Greenland Drive.

Once back at Greenland, turn back toward the river and cross Strawberry Mansion Bridge. The return to your starting point offers the view of Strawberry Hill in the distance and the Schuylkill River flowing south and east toward Center City off the right side of the bridge. The first bridge you see in that direction is the rail bridge that PennPraxis suggests has the capacity to route pedestrians between East and West Parks - a boon for neighborlands park users from both North and West Philadelphia.

Hikers head toward Strawberry Hill, along the mansion bridge trolley path

By the way, in case you're wondering about the trail names in my description, let me assure you that these are not something I made up - they're given apparently by the mountain-biking community, which is responsible for maintaining many of these otherwise unmarked trails. I found the trail names on the MapMyHike app on my Android phone only after I'd logged a hike in West Fairmount Park.

Also, I should put a word in here about safety. Be careful on the trails - these are shared pedestrian and equestrian trails. Listen for mountain bikers who may be coming up from in front of you or behind you on the trail. Always step right immediately and stop when you hear them coming. They should also be mindful of you, but don't expect too much. If you're kind to them, they will appreciate the effort - even though some might not show it as they huff and puff up a hill or what not - and everyone will be happy to have avoided a collision. And remember, horses always get the right of way on trails, no matter what. 

So after reading all that (like anyone will read all of that!), if you’d like to hike the West Fairmount Epic Hiking Loop but still feel you’d rather do so with a guide, just like the Hiking Megalopolis page on Facebook for upcoming free hikes. Or contact Brian directly if you’d like to hire him as a guide for and outing with you and your family or group of friends. HikingMegalopolis.com website coming soon.

(PS – Stay at this hostel for something like $20 bucks-a-night next time you visit Philadelphia, and you’ll be in an urban hikers paradise!)

Hiking East Fairmount Park: Brewerytown-Mansion Boxers Trail Loop

The East Fairmount Park Brewerytown-Mansion Boxers Trail Loop is the kind of trail that gives you just the right amount of daily cardio exercise. It provides for a variable-grade walking workout that's pretty flexible.

Basically, this hike first follows the full length of the Boxers Trail, from John Coltraine's home in the Mansion-Brewerytown Blurlands to the front door of Strawberry Mansion. Then it continues down some 125 steps to the burm of Kelly Drive, at the 2.5-mile point of The Box of the famed Schuylkill River Trail.

Setting sun filters onto the Strawberry Mansion Steps along Boxers Trail

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting you hop across traffic Frogger-style to take the SRT's busy bike lanes for the return trip to the trailhead! Instead, turn around at the base of Strawberry Mansion Steps, climb them back up - take a breather! - and return to Coltraine's house via 33rd Street.

Walk briskly the full four miles and you'll finish in an hour or so. This hike is really flexible! Do the Strawberry Mansion Steps down to the Schuylkill on days you want to push it; skip them on days you don't. You could even take the 32 bus along 33rd Street for the last mile on the days three miles will do you.

Just so you know, this hike is about three-quarters paved trail and one-quarter crushed rock and packed dirt. Take at least a liter of water to stay hydrated on your hike. Expect to see wildlife if you try walking like the Lenape and with a Leave No Trace Ethic. Deer, birds, chipmunks, squirrels, mice, and insects have all been part of this trail lover's experience along the Boxers Trail.

The real value in the Brewerytown-Mansion Boxers Trail Loop is that it's a place where nearby Philadelphia neighbors can access a defined yet flexible fitness loop that's close to home and public-transit accessible. If you're looking for something more in the style of reclaimed woodland majesty for your daily or weekly hike, choose equally accessible trailheads elsewhere in Fairmount Park trail, or find a trail that winds through the nearby Wissahickon Gorge.

NOTE: Hey runners, check out the Boxers Trail 5K in September.

Exploring the Uplands Hiking Trails of East and West Fairmount Parks

by Brian Schwarz

For the past six weeks, I have been exploring the uplands trails of East Fairmount Park. And today, inspired by The New Fairmount Park plan presented last night by the folks at Penn Praxis in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, I decided to check out some of the trails of the West Fairmount Park uplands as well. Here's a list of the Fairmount Park trails I've identified so far:

East Fairmount Park Trails

Lemon Hill Trail (Fairmount Avenue to Girard Avenue)

Uplands view from the Lemon Hill Trail of the Shuylkill River Trail below

This trail starts inconspicuously near the corner of Fairmount Avenue along Kelly Drive. Take the dirt path between Kelly Drive and Pennsylvania Avenue until it leads into the woods at 27th Street. At the 29th Street pedestrian bridge, turn left down hill, cross Sedgley Drive, and continue into the woods in front of Lemon Hill Mansion. This single-track dirt trail takes you along the escarpment between Lemon Hill and Kelly Drive, popping out of the woods only briefly between Oshanter Drive and the Lemon Hill Gazebo overlooking the Schuylkill River. It continues in the woods behind the gazebo all the way to the base of the steps at Girard Bridge. It ends here, but if you cross under the bridge you will find Glendinning Rock Garden just beyond Brewery Hill Drive.

Glendinning-Cliffs Trail (Girard Avenue to Reservoir Drive)

Cliffs mansion, in Sedgley Woods, along the Glendinning-Cliffs Trail

This trail begins at the Glendinning Rock Garden near the intersection of Kelly and Brewery Hill drives and leads up through Sedgley Woods to the abandoned Cliffs mansion, ending along Reservoir Drive at 33rd Street. Take the path that leads up to a doorway in an old stone wall, taking the stairs up to the top, and continue on the trail that leads up and to the left. At the top of this hill there is a veritable spiderweb of trails, but there is an outer ring trail you will follow out to the Schuylkill River overlook and then back along the railroad tracks. When the trail dips down and you see an entrance to the tracks, take it. Take the railroad tracks trail to the left, crossing under the railroad bridge. Then, look on the opposite side of the tracks for a trail that leads up into Sedgley Woods. Take this trail to the top of the hill where you will find a meadow. At the northwest corner of the meadow you find the Cliffs mansion. The trail continues out of the northeast corner of the meadow, where you will pass through the disc golf course and exit at the border between Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course and the Strawberry Green Driving Range.

Boxers Trail (Reservoir Drive to Strawberry Bridge and Kelly Drive)

Mount Pleasant mansion as seen from the Boxers Trail, East Fairmount Park

The Boxers Trail is an amalgam of paved multi-use trail and gravel cart path that extends from Reservoir Drive at 33rd Street all the way to Strawberry Bridge. Follow the paved path past Sedgley Woods and Smith Playground & Playhouse, until it cuts across a field toward Fountain Green Drive. Near the base of Fountain Green, a gravel cart path enters the woods and continues along behind Mount Pleasant and several other historic homes before coming out of the woods again at the corner of Reservoir and Randolph drives. The Boxers Trail returns to pavement, arching around Randolph Drive between Laurel Hill Mansion and Edgley Field, continuing on to Strawberry Mansion. Behind Strawberry Mansion, the trail continues down two sets of steps, the first leading to Strawberry Bridge, and the second leading all the way to Kelly Drive.

West Fairmount Park Trails

Chamonix Woods Trail (Greenland Road to Falls Road)

"Brown Bear Stump" along the Chamonix Woods Trail, West Fairmount Park

This hilly run goes from Greenland Road, just west of Martin Luther King Drive, and leads up through Chamonix Woods to Chamonix Mansion. Enter the woods on the south side of Greenland Drive, then take the trail that hooks back and passes through a stone arch bridge. Continue on this wide trail - a former cart path or remnants of an old trolley line perhaps - as it sidles the Schuylkill Expressway. Just as the trail begins to go uphill, notice a single-track dirt path crosses it. The high trail goes to the left, passing by Chamonix Ball Fields, and the low trail goes to the right. Both will eventually join up again and take you all the way up to Chamonix Mansion. Cross the cul-de-sac, and the Chamonix Woods Trail continues down an old cart path, across an old stone bridge, where it turns sharply onto a smaller trail to the right. Continue on this path to its terminus near the intersection of Falls Road and Neill Drive.

Chamonix Creek Trail (Chamonix Drive to Ford Road)

Beneath the old stone bridge along the Chamonix Creek Trail

Across the cul-de-sac from Chamonix Mansion, located a few feet to the right of the cart path portion of the Chamonix Woods Trail, you will find a trail that is blazed bright orange and unofficially maintained by rogue mountain-bikers. According to locals, mountain bikers came in at night and blazed this overgrown historic trail by pruning back weeds and painting bright orange stripes on trees. Follow the orange blazed trail as it leads down to Chamonix Creek and continues as it passes beneath an old stone bridge (over which the aforementioned cart path passes) and continues to a spot along Ford Road just north of Chamonix Drive.

NOTE: Stay tuned for updates on this page, as I will add to it whenever I discover new trails and trail connectors - including the trails of the Belmont Plateau and West Park Wetlands.

PennPraxis Unveils Conceptualized Fairmount Park Trail Network Map

This is what I've been waiting for - a trail map to include all the single-track dirt trails and other pedestrian routes of Fairmount Park - both East Fairmount Park and West Fairmount Park. Of course, this conceptualized Fairmount Park Trail Map isn't EXACTLY what I've been looking for, but it's a start.

Conceptualized, future-minded, connected Fairmount Park Trail Map

I'm heading out today to explore, and I hope to find out how much of this map is future-minded and how much of the trail system can be followed at present. Meanwhile, I'd like to thank the folks at PennPraxis for their plan titled, "The New Fairmount Park". This picture was snagged from said plan and posted here for anyone, like me, who may otherwise be unsuccesfully Googling for any Fairmount Park Map to follow. Hope it helps you #FindYourPath, Philadelphia!

Plan for "The New Fairmount Park" highlights creeks, pedestrian flow

The New Fairmount Park plan presented last night by the folks at Penn Praxis in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department is exciting, if a bit ambitious. During my years as a journalist, I would have attended the event at Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse with hardwired skepticism, but while I have my concerns as to how this noble plan will be carried out, I have to say, as an outdoors fitness buff and frequent parks user, I cannot hold back my enthusiasm as I click through the interactive online PDF featuring this amazing new vision for Fairmount's East and West Parks.

Glendinning Rock Garden steps - part of planned Fairmount Park trail network?

Here are the two plan highlights that excite me the most:

1. Pedestrians in Focus: The plan calls to "tame the roads" and "connect the trails". The vision includes a linked trail system (yay!) and would aim to create pedestrian-friendly crossings along the speedy traffic thoroughfares of Kelly Drive, Martin Luther King Drive, and the Schuylkill Expressway. Traffic studies are in order, but at first glance - wow! Imagine a redesigned Interstate 76 that's lifted to allow pedestrians pass through through a natural, riparian environment from the main park areas to the river! (Of course I'd ask you to do this while trying NOT to imagine the nightmare such a redesign would cause on this already terribly congested highway.) It's nice to think in what-ifs, but at present that kind of stuff is for the long term vision - personally, I'd be psyched even if they can only achieve putting in signed crosswalks with flashers at key points along Kelly Drive and open the rail bridge to link East and West Parks at the Boxers Trail over the short and medium terms.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter speaks to Fairmount Park constituents 

2. Watershed in Focus: The New Fairmount Park vision intends to highlight the existing natural features of East and West parks - in particular the 16 creeks that filter through them on their way to the Schuylkill River, the primary water feature around which the parks were formed. The Fairmount is a unique park in that it was built around a need to protect the city's water - as such it's a "watershed park". Trails would lead folks in nearby communities to the river by linking providing trail access along these protected riparian environments. What a great way to improve understanding among local residents that trash they sweep into the storm drains ends up in the water they drink, adding to the costs of treatment and filtration as well as putting the water supply at risk.

There is much more to be excited about, too - this is just a teaser! I will be reporting on it here as I delve deeper into the report. Stay tuned as I go out into the park and explore the areas the report intends to change.

ABOUT HIKING MEGALOPOLIS

Obesity is a global health concern. In the United States, obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The experts agree that the best way to tackle the obesity epidemic is through prevention. As such, the goal of Hiking Megalopolis is to work with existing park management, recreation and stewardship organizations that serve the Philadelphia Mega (including the City of Philadelphia, Southeast Pennsylvania, South Jersey, Northern Delaware and Northeastern Maryland) to develop integrated solutions to the obesity epidemic by engaging communities and by highlighting and reinforcing existing connections between nature and healthy lifestyles by promoting ideals of sustainable pedestrian pathways in urban design.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Brian Schwarz is an award-winning journalist whose career was derailed by super obesity. He fought his way back to health - losing 165 pounds in the process of his "fit-life journey". A professional communicator, educator and coach by trade, and activator by nature, Brian's personal mission is to inspire others live their fullest lives. Follow Brian on Instagram (@fitlifechronicles) and Twitter (@myfitlife2day).

Guided tours of Philadelphia's natural wonder - the Wissahickon Gorge

Philadelphia is renown as a world-class historic city – but did you know Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park is the largest urban park system in the United States? The gem of the Fairmount Park system is the Wissahickon Valley Park, home of the Wissahickon Gorge. Forged by the Wissahickon Creek as it makes its way to the Schuylkill River, the Wissahickon Gorge is the gateway to Pennsylvania’s Piedmont Province. The park itself is free and open to the public, but in order to explore all the wonders of the Wissahickon Gorge, Hiking Megalopolis is now offering guided hikes of the gorge for individuals or groups of up to 10.

International students from Temple University enjoy a group hike

With the knowledgeable and experienced Temple University instructor Brian Schwarz as your guide, come explore the geography, geology, flora and fauna, and the history of this amazing natural space located within the borders of the United States’ sixth largest city!

Group hike, Wissahickon Gorge

Section Hike ($100, up to 10 people)

Three miles, 3-4 hours, morning or afternoon hikes available

                                                          

Explore either the upper, middle or lower sections of the Wissahickon Gorge. Natural features include an urban forest, a trout-filled creek, various cascading glens, striking rock outcroppings such as Lover’s Leap, Mom Rinker’s Rock and Council Rock, a rhododendron grove, and local flora and fauna. Historic sites may include Hermit’s Cave, Rittenhousetown, Indian Statue, Toleration Statue, a covered wooden bridge, and gigantic stone bridges.

Indian Statue, Wissahickon Gorge

Thru Hike ($200, up to 10 people)

Seven miles, 6-7 hours, includes a stop for lunch at the Valley Green Inn, located within the park       

      

Spend the day exploring the vast network of trails that leads from the mouth of the Wissahickon Gorge to the top of Chestnut Hill, the first named hill of the Pennsylvania Piedmont. Enjoy all the natural and historic sites of the Wissahickon Gorge as listed in the Short Hike section, plus enjoy the satisfaction of completing a “thru-hike” of the gorge itself.

Trailheads are accessible via public transportation or by car. All you need to bring is water, trail snacks and a sturdy pair of shoes. Hiking boots are not necessary but sturdy shoes with traction are required so you are able to fully enjoy the hiking experience that is Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Gorge.

For more information and to book your hike date, contact your guide, Brian Schwarz, at briwrite@yahoo.com. Also, check out Hiking Megalopolis on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy Hiking!

NOTE: Brian Schwarz is an award-winning journalist whose career was derailed by super obesity. He fought his way back to health - losing 165 pounds in the process of his "fit-life journey". A professional communicator, educator, guide and writer by trade, and an activator by nature, Brian's personal mission is to inspire others live their fullest lives.

Fall Foliage Hike Saturday: Wissahickon Gorge, northern section

Have you ever hiked into a gorge along a cascading stream through a gorgeous glen? Have you ever faced the Leni-Lenape chief who still stands at Council Rock? Have you walked through a covered bridge or across stepping stones in a creek bed?

On Saturday, you're invited to a FALL FOLIAGE HIKE at Philadelphia's Wissahickon Gorge - northern section. I can't guarantee the leaves will be blazing at full force, but I can promise a beautiful hike in a quiet and dreamy part of the surprisingly rural-feeling urban park.

Group hike, pictured on top of Glen Onoko's second waterfall, Lehigh Gorge

Meet us at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2013, at Starbucks in Chestnut Hill (8515 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA). 

NOTE (Here come the musts!): You must be able to walk at least five miles, must wear sturdy shoes for walking on dirt and rocks, and must carry enough water and snacks for a day-long activity.

We will be exiting the park by 4 p.m. There are multiple exit options along the way, but we will plan on exiting the park by 4 p.m., returning to Chestnut Hill near our starting point. It is convenient that both Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West SEPTA Regional Rail stations are accessible near entrance and exit trail heads!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE! DM me for more information. SHARE with friends on social media. 

Instagram Hashtags for Hiking the Southern Wissahickon Gorge

Instagram is an excellent tool for sharing your hiking experiences with others. Below you will find a list of some suggested hashtags to use on today's hike of the #SouthernWissahickonGorge in #NorthwestPhiladelphia.

#LeaveNoTrace - the concept of not disturbing nature, packing in and carrying out
#hiking - a popular outdoor recreation activity that is good for body, mind and spirit
#hikingtrail
#hikeleader
#hikers 
#trails
#OrangeTrail
#YellowTrail
#WissahickonStation – the regional rail station where the hike begins
#TheWissahickon – area where we will be hiking; name derived from Lenapi words
#LeniLenape - the native people who inhabited this land prior to European settlement
#TheWiss – the nickname
#WissahickonGorge – the geographic feature
#WissahickonCreek – the stream that carved the gorge
#WissahickonValleyPark – the park (protected conservation area for recreational use)
#HenryAvenueBridge - two-ribbed, open-spandrel, reinforced concrete arch bridge with one principle span; Official name is #WissahickonMemorialBridge; Nickname is #SuicideBridge
#RittenhouseTown – preserved town, site of the first paper mill in Colonial America
#WalnutLaneBridge - a copy of Pont Adolphe in Luxembourg, this historic bridge was built as part of the #CityBeautifulMovement in Philadelphia during the #Early20thCentury
#MomRinkersRock – named for Revolutionary Patriot and reputed witch, Mom Rinker
#TolerationStatue – a statue of a man dressed in Quaker clothing
#RidgeAvenue
#GypsyAvenue
#LincolnDrive
#ForbiddenDrive – a road through the park where motorized vehicles are not allowed
#WissahickonHall – carriage hotel built in 1849; site is now used as a police station
#LoversLeap
#HermitsCave

#forest 

#forestcanopy

#forestunderstory

#conservation - the act of conserving (protecting) something, such as nature

There are many other aspects of today's hike that you may capture on Instagram during our hike. Please feel free to ask your #hikeleaders for help in creating hashtags so you can share your adventures with your friends and family back home.

Happy hiking!

10 Things You Should Know about Philadelphia's Wissahickon Gorge

If you are an outdoor recreation enthusiast living in Philadelphia or are planing to visit this world-class travel destination, here are 10 things you should know about the city's premier urban wilderness and home to some 50 miles of trails used for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and cycling - the Wissahickon Gorge.

The Orange Trail clings to the northeastern wall of the Wissahickon Gorge

1. Wissahickon Valley Park, known by locals as The Wissahickon, or sometimes simply The Wiss, is part of the Fairmount Park system, one of the largest urban park systems in the world. The park has been managed by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation since 2010. Before that, Philadelphia's park system was managed by the Fairmount Park Commission.
2. The principle feature of the park is Wissahickon Creek, which runs some 23 miles from its origin in Montgomery County through Northwest Philadelphia, carving a deep valley, or gorge, as it flows.
3. The wooded Wissahickon Gorge, as it is commonly called, creates the illusion that you are in a wilderness area rather than in a sliver of protected land located between bustling city neighborhoods, which is actually the case.
4. The Wissahickon Gorge is home to a vast network of trails in the park - some 50 miles of trails, in fact -  including four primary through-trails that run the entire length of the park. The Orange Trail, White Trail, and Yellow Trail cling to the walls of the Wissahickon Gorge and are primarily used for hiking, trail running, horseback riding and mountain biking. Forbidden Drive - a former carriage road - sticks close to the banks of the creek and is mostly used by families, touring cyclists and joggers.
5. Wissahickon Valley Park borders six Philadelphia neighborhoods - Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls, Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill. Its northwestern border is made up of unincorporated communities of southern Montgomery County.
6. Wissahickon Gorge hikers are provided unique views of the underside of several high bridges, each with historical significance, which serve automobiles to seamlessly link the surrounding communities. Five historic stone-arch bridges also are found in the park, crossing Wissahickon Creek, and are now only accessible to pedestrians. There is also a covered bridge to be found here.
7. The park is home to several statues and monuments erected to commemorate events that occurred here from the colonial period, through the Revolutionary War and even into the period of early industrialization of the late 1800's, when the area was officially designated as a park and conservation efforts began. Also, many historic buildings can be found in the park, including the remnants of one of the area's first mill towns, called Rittenhousetown, as well as the Valley Green Inn, which is still in operation as a restaurant.
8. The geology of the Wissahickon Gorge is fascinating, and you can read more about it in this report. The predominent bedrock throughout the park is Wissahickon Schist, which is sparkly because of the presence of quartzite. 
9. The organization Friends of the Wissahickon sells an excellent map to the trails and sites of the Wissahickon Gorge, which you can find online here. 
10. The Wissahickon Gorge is accessible to ANYONE thanks to Philadelphia's amazing system of public transportation, provided by SEPTA (a.k.a. the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority). Find your way to the Wissahickon at SEPTA.org.

Trail marker along one of the Wissahickon Valley Park trails

So there you have it! Are you an outdoor recreation enthusiast? Do you live in Philadelphia or are planing to visit this world-class travel destination? Then, you're welcome! Now please, click one of the social media buttons on this page to like and share these 10 things EVERYONE should know about this city's premier urban wilderness - the Wissahickon Gorge.

For updates on this and other hikes, be sure to "like" Hiking Megalopolis on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hikingmegalopolis.

Wissahickon Gorge Hike - Come explore the urban wilderness!

This weekend, you are invited to come along on a hike through the southern portion of Wissahickon Valley Park, home to the historic urban wilderness that is the Wissahickon Gorge.

Peace, love and hiking! Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park

Here is all you need to know to join in the fun!

Who: Anyone interested in hiking is welcome to come along.

What: Hiking the Wissahickon Gorge, Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia

When: Meet at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2013; Hike will end by 3 p.m.

Where: The hike will begin and end at SEPTA Wissahickon Station. We will do a loop (approximately 5 miles) of the eastern section of Wissahickon Valley Park. Sites we will experience include Hermit's Cave, Lover's Leap, historic bridges, Wissahickon Creek, Mom Rinker's Rock and Toleration Statue.

Why: To enjoy the beautiful fall-like weather while exploring an urban wilderness, full of historic and geological wonders.

How: There is limited parking near the SEPTA WIssahickon Station, so the best way to arrive is by Manayunk/Norristown Line Regional Rail or by bus (to the nearby Wissahickon Transportation Center). NOTE: If you live on or near the Temple University campus, you can catch the Manayunk/Norristown Line Regional Rail train from Temple Station at 9:40 a.m.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Carry a backpack.
• Layer your clothing. Since we will be doing a moderately strenuous hike, you may get quite warm, even though the temperature will drop dramatically by Saturday. The high temperature will be about 68-degrees Fahrenheit (or 20-degrees Celsius); As such, make sure you bring layers of clothing. 
• Wear sturdy shoes with traction. Athletic shoes or shoes/boots made specifically for hiking should be worn. No espadrilles or shoes with smooth soles should be worn. 
• Bring plenty of water. You should carry about three liters of water with you on this hike. 
• Bring food for lunch and snacks. Typical snacks, like trail mix and granola bars, are best for a hike. Also, bring a lunch that is easy to eat while sitting on a rock, like a sandwich, a burrito or a wrap.

For updates on this and other hikes, be sure to "like" Hiking Megalopolis on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hikingmegalopolis.

If you have any questions about the hike, please email hike leader Brian Schwarz at briwrite@yahoo.com.

Hope to see you there!