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.

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!