Basic City Beer Co. opens, brings tasty brews to west Rockfish Gap

By Brian Schwarz
Hiker and Beer Lover

After months of local and regional anticipation, Basic City Beer Co. finally opened. The beer is solid. Let me start by saying that. Living in the land of the Beerwerks and Brew Ridge trails, two of Virginia's premier tourism-supported craft beer corridors, I enjoy easy access to dozens of craft breweries, from little neighborhood operations to farm brewers to large distribution-scale craft breweries. Trust me when I say that Basic City Beer Co. stands tall among them.

Basic City Beer Co., a hiker's respite near Rockfish Gap

This is my third visit to the brewery since its three founding brothers opened shop a week ago. I have had their porter and coffee porter, named N&W Porter and C&O Coffee Porter respectively after the Norfolk & Western and Chesapeake and Ohio railroads that form the famed Iron Cross intersection along the banks of the South River nearby. Each of these dark, flavorful brews weighs in at 6.4 ABV and pack an hardy punch on a chilly fall day, post hike.

I've also had their first take at an IPA and DIPA, which are both good, too. The IPA has a higher IBU, and the DIPA is more citrusy. Both stand on their own, but mixed, they're delish.

This "stargate" marks the entrance to Basic City Beer Co.

Located west of Rockfish Gap, near the southern gateway to Shenandoah National Park and north entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Basic City Beer Co. is smack dab in the middle of Virginia's hiking county. Part of Virginia's Beerwerks Trail, its regional significance lies in the fact that it is the closest Beerwerks brewery to Virginia's famed Brew Ridge Trail. In fact, it is a mere seven miles from one of that trail's finest flagship purveyors, Blue Mountain Brewery.

For those from out of town, Basic City is a neighborhood within the city of Waynesboro, Virginia, conveniently located halfway between Charlottesville and Staunton, right off Interstate 64, which links Richmond and Virginia's port cities to points west. Get off at Exit 99 and head down the mountain on 250; You'll find Basic City Beer Co. on the left.

You might miss it if you blink, so keep an eye out for what looks like a grand iron stargate at the entrance to the two-tiered parking lot. Pick up some tasty tacos while you're there, too, from the food truck positioned outside.

NOTE: I pair most of my brewery visits with a hike. While the closest popular hike is to Humpback Rocks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I paired a recent visit with a the Lefthand Hollow to Buzzard Rock Overlook hike, which is found in Shenandoah National Park at the Paine Run Trailhead off of the East Side Highway at Harriston.

Hiking the East Side Highway - Lefthand Hollow to Buzzard Rock Overlook

by Brian Schwarz

The stretch of Route 340 in Virginia, between the town of Elkton and city of Waynesboro, is known locally as East Side Highway. It runs north and south along the western Blue Ridge Mountains, making it an important route for outdoor adventurers set on enjoying Shenandoah National Park South District, as well as nearby river communities of the eastern Shenandoah Valley.

Take a moment to pose for the camera, Brian! That's Buzzard Rock behind.

This week I've been exploring some hikes I spotted by reading the 2014 edition of PATC Map 11: Appalachian Trail and other trails in Shenandoah National Park South District. The map's previous version was less descriptive than the new version, and there are two hikes in particular that I would not have even considered before.

Because the 2014 PATC Map 11 does a better job highlighting overlooks and vistas, I found some short hikes that I can do on my daily commute, between Massanutten and Waynesboro. So far I have only done one of the two new hikes I've identified, so I'll talk about that one now and tell you about the other one once I've scouted it out myself.

The Paine Run Trailhead, located on Horsehead Road, just west of the town of Harriston - which is one of the aforementioned East Side Highway river towns - is the entry point for the hike I'm calling the Lefthand Hollow-Buzzard Rock Overlook Hike. It's a short, two-mile out-and-back, that is well graded and has about 350-feet elevation gain to an south-facing rock outcrop overlook.

Park at the Paine Run Trailhead at the end of Horsehead Road and enter the woods, going downhill briefly before the trail levels off and follows the banks of Paine Run for about a third of a mile, crossing the creek twice on nicely lain, large and sturdy rocks. Some 100 steps after the second creek crossing, turn left and begin the steady trudge uphill.

The hike is basically one big switchback along the side of Trayfoot Mountain as you rise above Lefthand Hollow, the other side of which is formed by Horsehad Mountain. Continue up - about a third of a mile for each switchback - and you will reach the overlook at approximately one mile.

What looks like a perfect cone of a mountain in front of you is actually the northern end of a ridge line. The top of this photogenic mound is called Buzzard Rock, so-named for the buzzards who frequent the area. The upper Shenandoah Valley stretches out past Round Hill and other valley structures to the south and west.

Stay tuned for descriptions of Cave Hill and Furnace Mountain hikes.

15 Hikes within Two Hours' Drive of Washington DC Metro Area

by Brian Schwarz, hike leader and geophile

The Washington Metro Area - known by locals as the DC metro or the DMV to include Virginia and Maryland - is home to some exceptional hiking. From rambles through urban watersheds to suburban-ring mountain hikes and wilderness treks, this area provides diverse outdoor appreciation opportunities during all four seasons.

Fun strenuous hiking along the Western Ridge Trail in DC's Rock Creek Park

An hour beyond DC's urban core, you'll find The Bull Run Mountains in Virginia and Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland. Within a two-hours' drive, the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains rise above the Piedmont foothills, and they carry with them the Appalachian Trail. These prominent mountains of the Appalachian Range span two national parks on either side of the Potomac: Shenandoah National Park and Catoctin Mountain. 

It's a pretty incredible thing, if you stop to think about it, and I've been thinking about it fairly often as I'm currently in the planning stage for group hikes I'll be leading in this section of Mid-Atlantic America over the course of the next year. 

Hiking diversity throughout the Mid-Atlantic DC Metro Area and beyond!

Below is just a primer list of hikes great DC Metro hikes. I've personally hiked all but one of these sometime in the past three or four months. If you're interested in coming along with an experienced hike leader on any of these, keep an eye on my Facebook page, Hiking Megalopolis.

1. Rock Creek Wilds Hike (DC) - the northern woods of Rock Creek Park, from Military Road up to the mouth of the valley, above the piedmont-to-plain fall zone
2. Rock Creek Bluffs Hike (DC) - the southern scrambles of Rock Creek Park, in the fall zone; excellent conditioning hike to prepare for more challenging hikes, like the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls Maryland
3. Ridge and Valley Hike (DC) - circuit thru-hike of Rock Creek Park, above and below the fall zone
4. Northwest Tributaries Hike (DC) - Rock Creek and Potomac tributaries, local neighborhood trails
5. Southeast Hills and Gardens Hike (DC) - national botanical garden sits atop hills rising above the Anacostia River
6. Sugarloaf Mountain Northern Peaks Hike (MD) - a well-worn piedmont monadnock with a summit and several sub-summits
7. Catoctin Mountains Hike (MD) - several prominent overlooks with piedmont, valley and mountain views
8. Cunningham Falls Hike (MD) - a prominent rock outcrop and the base of cascading falls
9. Maryland Heights Hike (MD) - prominent rock outcrop a Appalachian gap along a ridge overlooking historic town and confluence of Potomac and Shenandoah rivers
10. Great Falls Maryland Hike (MD) - popular rock scramble and side trails on the east side of Great Falls along the fall zone
11. Bull Run Mountains Hike (VA) - rock outcrops at the high point of a piedmont Appalachian Blue Ridge mountain outlier that rings in Northern Virginia suburbs
12. Sky Meadows Hike (VA) - hike from a historiv farm up through a wooded hollow to the AT on a unique meadowed ridgeline then descend with breathtakimg valley views 
13. Old Rag Mountain Summit Hike (VA) - the number one hike in the area - and not just according to me; strenuous, at the 10 mile range, wilderness, difficult rock scramble, summit, stay for sunset, night hike past abandoned graveyard and site of a long-gone town in a mountain hollow, perfectly darkened for superior star gazing
14. Great Falls Virginia Hike (VA) - varied opportunities in C&O Canal National Historic Park, including a strenuous rock scramble along dramatic Potomac River bluffs
15. Rollercoaster to Ravens Rock Hike (VA) - apparently a strenuous up-and-down, out-and-back along mountain ridges to striking rock outcrop known alternately as Ravens Rock and Crescent Rock; this is the only of the 15 hikes within two hours of the DC Metro Area that I haven't done as of the time publishing this article

Best hike in the DC Metro?: Shenandoah National Park's Old Rage Mountain

While there isn't a ton of description this list, I will blog about several of these hikes over the next month or so, and as the weather allows, I'll be doing more scouting of local hikes throughout the winter as I gear up and strengthen up so I can begin taking on the Dirty Dozen Wilderness Hike Challenge, sponsored by The Wilderness Society and Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, which I have from now to September 2015 to complete (hiking 10+ miles in 12 separate designated wilderness areas in the southeast United States, that is).

Meanwhile, if I'm leading hikes with the Sierra Club Potomac Regional Outings and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, you can find them posted on those clubs' respective MeetUp pages. But last minute hikes and tips on accessing local trails on your own are found only through my blogs, updates for which are always posted on Hiking Megalopolis on Facebook.

Hiking the Great Woods of Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park

by Brian Schwarz, your Hiking Megalopolis guide

Everyone should have access to the woods, regardless of any qualifier you can think of - I mean EVERYBODY! That's why it's so amazing that Philadelphia - a city with shocking income disparity and blocks that are segregated along race and class lines - is home to a public resource so close to the urban core where anyone can gain access to an in-tact contiguous woods, with an easy-to-follow 5-mile hiking loop that leads through the urban wilds and only crosses a busy park road once!

Mountain bikers and competitive cross-country runners already know about sections of these great trails. Still, strikingly few hikers take the time to get to know this truly unparalleled hiking experience. Despite their proximity to the heart of the city, this is not some second-rate hike you do when you can't make it to the Wissahickon, the Reading Prong, Blue Mountain or the Poconos. Hiking the great woods of Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park actually feels like entering the lungs of this great city.

Topo map shows terrain, beneath the trees of West Fairmount's Great Woods

Most people who have been to West Fairmount Park are probably most familiar with aspects of the Centennial District, which includes the Philadelphia Zoo, the Horticultural Center with its Japanese Garden, the Mann Center for Performing Arts and the Please Touch Museum in Memorial Hall. Most also know the many picnic areas and the spectacular view to be seen of the Philadelphia skyline from the Belmont Plateau. But fewer know of the woods that lie east of the plateau, on either side of the ridge where you'll find Chamounix Drive and the multi-use Speedway Trail.

The Great Woods of Fairmount Park can be divided into two parts, Belmont Woods and Chamounix Woods. The Belmont Woods is a unique urban-riparian experience.  Bound by Greenland Drive to the north, Chamounix Drive to the west and the sweeping grassy knoll of Belmont Mansion to the south. It is bound by the Schuylkill Expressway, too, and the trails here dip down below the massive interstate highway taking you into quiet wetland zones where creeks trickle down through a mixed-growth forest. Trees that are hundreds of years younger trees, providing a unique forest experience with a high canopy and a dense understory. It's an experience that rivals and even tops many Pennsylvania state forests, most of which are still quite young in comparison.

The Great Woods of Fairmount Park - Belmont and Chamounix

The Satellite image above shows the near contiguous Great Woods of Fairmount Park. Notice where the Strawberry Mansion Bridge enters the picture, crossing the Schuylkill River on the bottom right of the photo. As the road enters the park it is called Greenland Drive until it reaches Chamounix Drive. Belmont Woods are to the left of Greenland and extend all the way to the edge to the grassy area in front of Belmont Mansion. The woods north and west of Chamounix Road stretch as far north as the Schuylkill Expressway - right up to the I-76/Roosevelt Boulevard interchange - then wraps around Chamounix Hill to continue back to Greenland Road.

Here's the best part - the Great Woods of Fairmount Park is home to an extensive network of wilderness trails that nearly ANYONE can do and where EVERYONE is welcome. That's right - you don't have to be a moneybags or have special equipment and such to enjoy these woods! Just strap on a sturdy pair of shoes, carry water and snacks, and carry a pack so you can haul out any trash you make while enjoying the woods. These are the people's woods!

Don't worry that the trails back in these woods are not marked; you can trust all of the trails to lead you eventually to a road. If there is a trail back there that just peters out and doesn't go anywhere - and I haven't found one yet after at least 15 trips to scout trails - then just turn back around and take another route. That's what's so amazing - you're never far from a way out of the woods, yet you could get lost in there for as long as you choose to. These Philadelphia woods are the epitome of the urban wilds.

GPS Map of the Great Woods Hike in West Fairmount Park

The above map shows a recent 5.3-mile hike I took, starting at the Chamounix Mansion Youth Hostel (see the green dot?) and doing a loop of the entire Great Woods Hike. During the hike, I only crossed traffic once - at the intersection of Belmont Mansion and Chamounix Drives, which, as it turns out, is at the three-mile mark, an excellent place to stop and have lunch at the Chamounix Picnic Area.

The road crossings at Ford Road and Greenland Drive each have wooded pedestrian crossings, where if you'd like to exit the woods you may, but you certainly don't have to. Just to give you an idea of how long it would take to do this 5..3-mile loop, I did the entire thing in about three hours, taking several breaks to sit beneath the towering trees and listen to the many birds that call these woods home. Because it is at once so accessible while feeling so remote, you can break up the hike any way you choose and still walk out of the woods feeling refreshed.

So are you ready to explore the Great Woods of Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park? Follow this link to a description of an epic loop hike that begins at Historic Strawberry Mansion, just across Strawberry Bridge in East Fairmount Park.

Also, for more information of other opportunities to explore the urban wilds and other hiking areas throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, go to Facebook and like the Hiking Megalopolis community page. Free hikes are often listed. And please, TELL YOUR FRIENDS you saw it on Hiking Megalopolis!

"Hiker, there is no trail": FADA at the core of Hiking Megalopolis

by Brian Schwarz, your Hiking Megalopolis guide

The hike is where you make it, but it starts at your own front door

Hiking Megalopolis is all about EVERYONE enjoying the outdoors. At its core, Hiking Megalopolis believes in involving pre-novice, novice, intermediate and advanced hikers around these four concepts: Fitness, Action, Direction, and Adventure (FADA).

Fitness

Access to the outdoors can be gained at some entry point by nearly everyone. But hiking takes you on an adventure whereby, as you increase your level of fitness through participation, you increase your access to all of the most special places in nature, you know, off the beaten path. It's a progressive model of fitness that begins with you walking out of your own front door and finding the nearest trail. Fitness is not about arriving at some place and being like, yeah, I'm fit. Fitness is a lifelong journey, and Hiking Megalopolis - with its pan-generational approach - supports the fitness journey for individuals as well as their associated communities.

Action

Getting involved in the hiking community means getting involved in both preserving existing trails and working with local, state and federal authorities to open new trails as they are seen to benefit affiliated communities. Action involves supporting these agencies with trail clean-up and maintenance, hiker education with relation to Leave No Trace Ethics, fostering trail etiquette and engaging in trail awareness campaigns.

Direction

Trails are more fun when you realize where you are with regard to the historical and geographical elements of the space you occupy. Knowing how to use a map and compass, or even GPS, not only enhances your experience outdoors, but it helps give new perspective on navigating the roads of relationships, careers and other trappings of "the real world". Being in nature alone is like no other experience. Wilderness navigation is a big part of Hiking Megalopolis. Finding your way through nature, and then finding your way safely home, is what Direction is all about.

Adventure

Underneath it all, like the tangled root system of a tree that's hundreds of years old, Hiking Megalopolis is about Adventure. Reaching to new depths of ourselves through adventure supports our growth as people and as members of the global community. No person can tell you what adventure would actually look like to them until they have experienced it. But those who engage in hiking often experience adventure they didn't even see coming.

In conclusion, I leave you with this sentiment, inspired by Spanish singer Juan Manuel Serrat. He said, "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar." For the purposes of bringing home the raw truth behind Hiking Megalopolis, I will say this: Hiker, there is no trail; the trail is laid out before the one brave enough to take the first step.

For a better understanding of how Hiking Megalopolis and the FADA core was conceived, you'll find a pictoral and textual representation of my journey throughout the web and on various social media platforms. On Instagram, I'm FitLifeChronicles. For more on Fitness, check out MyFitLife2Day on Twitter, and the MyFitLife2Day blog. For Action and Direction, read the Man of Merit blog. And for Adventure, strap on a sturdy pair of shoes, pack water and snacks into a pack, and head out into the woods for a day of HikeyHikey!

Healthy Parks and Healthy Trails Fuel Healthy Communities

by Brian Schwarz, your Hiking Megalopolis guide

Fairmount Park overlooks Philadelphia from Belmont Plateau

It's well known that Fairmount Park in Philadelphia has struggled throughout its progressive stages of inception to be what it could be. A multitude of interests have an idea of what it should be. Many others love it as it is. But over the years, even as the mix of local interests shifts, and through all the various successions of development and dilapidation, Fairmount thrives. Call it what you will. Rename places as their use and care is inherited from one generation to the next, from one hobby to the next, from one person to the next, and even from one political or social upheaval to the next. Fairmount is the people's park of Philadelphia.

Educating novice hikers on Wissahickon Thru Hike, Philly Mega

I've heard a lot of talk about connecting communities to natural spaces that are directly juxtaposed to those natural spaces. I've also seen a lot of resistance to opening parks to diverse communities. Sometimes it feels like there are two sides to every mouth. While lots of folks are working to increase awareness of natural spaces, still these places are underused by nearby communities; Current users are trepidatious of inviting newbies. Access is created but not promoted. Or if it is promoted, it is done so in a way that inadvertently decreases feelings of inclusion, thereby increasing fear.

As a result, many people back away from going deeper into a park out of fear they didn't even know they had. These potential park users are unable, then, to benefit from the physical and psycho-spiritual aspects of being active in nature. (I know this from experience - just four years ago my fear of the unknown kept me from enjoying my local hiking trails. That's why I'm so committing to helping others find their path into the woods.)

And by the way, I've not just heard this talk here in Philadelphia. I'm a long-time observer of human interactions in open spaces, and I've seen this in places like D.C. and Pittsburgh, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles and Boston - parks and recreation can be a battle zone where political landmines abound. Often times those who can make the most money on a park improvement plan do not have interaction with nature as their primary objective. Sure, they sell the idea of development on access to nature, but too often, fear of going into wild spaces permeates neighborhood culture, especially as population and park usage increases.

Overcoming fear on my fist 10-mile hike, Blue Hills Reservation, Boston Mega

Urban legend and Oprah are to blame. Fear keeps us out of the woods and leads us to tell our children to stay out of the woods. But ironically, maintaining and enjoying the woods by hiking natural areas that exist around cities is as a matter of national security. Our greatest national security threat - the societal obesity epidemic - can be mitigated in communities that value walking and maintaining access to local trails.

Consider this: Successful treatment of many psychological disorders hinges on access to nature as treatment. Getting active in nature while undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce a patients' reliance on pills - just ask any honest doctor. Those in recovery, ex-offenders and individuals affected by PTSD can find soul-healing solace under a canopy of green. Watching as the sun's flickering rays highlight the significance of something so minute as the multitude of shades of moss on stones or chipmunks wrestling along the trail can do wonders to re-set the tendency to think of oneself as the center of the universe.

Healing time, alone in the desert mountains, LA Mega's Coachella Valley

All's I'm saying is this: There are 100s of reasons not to go into the woods, but to go, you only need just one. Finding that one reason will change your life for good. And once you do find your path - here in Fairmount Park or in that special open space that's located somewhere near where you live - get involved with the local parks community. After all, healthy parks and healthy trails fuel healthy communities!

For more information on hiking in Philadelphia - or if you're interested in parks and hiking and are from any of the 20-some megalopolitan areas of the world - like the "Hiking Megalopolis" page on Facebook to get involved with our growing online community!

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.

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.

Let's hike Glen Onoko Falls and Broad Mountain at the Lehigh Gorge!

This weekend we will be hiking Glen Onoko Falls and Broad Mountain at the Lehigh Gorge. Located in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, this hike is strenuous and can be dangerous, so make sure you are prepared to enjoy this unique outdoors experience!

Glen Onoko Falls Trail warning (Photo borrowed from Jason Ward's blog)

Here is all you need to join in the fun:

Who: There is limited space available for this hike, but if you would like to come along please visit the Hiking Megalopolis Facebook page and send me a direct message. If you have a car, let me know!

What: Hiking the Glen Onoko Falls and Broad Mountain at the Lehigh Gorge, Jim Thorpe, PA

When: Meet at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, September 28, 2013, in the Super Fresh parking lot (1501 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122; We will return to Philadelphia by 6 p.m., possibly earlier.

Where: This is a strenuous hike. The first part of the hike starts on the banks of the Lehigh River and climbs the Lehigh Gorge to glorious views of the river valley below. The second part is a descent of Glen Onoko, which is a series of waterfalls with rocks that can be slick. 

Why: To enjoy the beautiful fall-like weather while exploring an amazing geological formation with impressive views.

How: Contact Mister B via the Hiking Megalopolis Facebook page if you would like to come on this hike.

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 morning will likely start out quite cold on Saturday. The high temperature will be about 72-degrees Fahrenheit (or 22-degrees Celsius); As such, make sure you bring layers of clothing. Also, if you get wet in the waterfalls, you will probably want to have a change of shirt and socks.
• Wear sturdy shoes with traction. Athletic shoes or shoes/boots made specifically for hiking should be worn. IMPORTANT: No espadrilles or street 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!