The D&L Blog

Spring Along the Corridor

Written by Liz Rosencrans, DLNHC Director of Trails & Conservation

Like the crocuses popping up along the trail, the Spring season is blooming and it’s a welcome sight for all outdoor enthusiasts. Dig into our spring updates below for upcoming events, tips for enjoying the D&L Trail this season, and a call for input as we pick new DLNHC merch to add to our store. 

Upcoming Events 

• 2025 Annual State of the D&L Trail Address – Join the Trails & Conservation team on Thursday April 17^th at 6PM for our fourth virtual event where we share all you need to know as you plan your D&L Trail adventures this year. We’ll let you in on what to expect on the trail in 2025, call out key sections in each region, highlight ways to connect to our Water Trails, and provide tips for connecting to nearby towns and businesses. You can register and submit any questions here.  

• Celebrate Trails Day is coming up on Saturday April 26^th – DLNHC has multiple opportunities for you to get involved and show your favorite trails some love this year! You can join our staff at a Trail Tender Cleanup in East Penn Township or a Farmers Market Bike Ride in Easton. Or check out the many other events our partners are leading across the Corridor to get involved.  

• Quest for the Golden Grabber – This contest is back for its second year and this time we’ve extended it to include all cleanup activities that take place in April along the D&L Trail. Join DLNHC, your local community, or lead your own cleanup during April and report how much trash you’ve collected here to enter this contest to support the D&L Trail and DLNHC programming. The winning group will receive the coveted Golden Grabber trophy, reusable bags, and D&L Trail-themed goodies. 

• Volunteering along the D&L Trail – Are you interested in joining the D&L Trail Patrol or Adopt-A-Section of D&L Trail programs? Join us at the Spring D&L Trail Volunteer Training on Saturday April 5^th in Easton to become a formal D&L Trail Volunteer for one or both programs. You can find more information and register here. If a group trail cleanup is more your speed, check out our D&L Trail Tender Events scheduled for 2025. We have 4 cleanups scheduled and more on the way so check back regularly to see the latest list of events.   

• Get Your Tail on the Trail Events – the 2025 Health & Heritage Walks are open for registration with the first walk coming up on Sunday April 6^th at Hugh Moore Park in Easton. See the update from Tiffany below for more information on this walk and more. 

Prepare for MUD

Written by Liz Rosencrans, DLNHC Director of Trails & Conservation

In the Spring our days are filled with warmer temperatures while our nights are still crisp and cool. The Farmer’s Almanac tells us to expect a slightly warmer and wetter season than last year which means planning ahead before you hit the trail! Don’t forget the below tips to help you stay prepared and comfy during your trail travels this Spring: 

• Wet Weather Means MUD – thawing ice and frequent rain create what we call “mud season” in the Corridor. Stay on the lookout for low lying trail sections that can experience flooding and remember that riding bikes or horses after wet weather on soft trail can cause damage – be thoughtful when traveling these sections. 

• Be Prepared for All Weather Conditions – Spring is a season where you can experience all types of weather in one day. Check the weather before you head out on the trail and don’t forget your waterproof shoes, rain jacket, and an extra warm layer just in case. 

• Be Considerate of Plans & Animals – budding plants and baby animals are popping up across the Corridor this season. Stay on the trail to avoid damaging new plant growth and keep your eyes and ears open for animals and their young. Be sure to give animals with babies ample space and don’t be surprised to see deer, geese, skunks, and even bears this time of year.  

With that – get your shoes on, grab a spare jacket, and hit the trail!

As Charles Dickens put it, “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold, when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade-” and if we’re prepared, we can enjoy every bit of it.

I hope to see you out on the trail this Season! 

Health & Heritage Walks are Back

Written by Tiffany Serra, DLNHC Trails & Conservation Associate

The Health & Heritage Walk series is returning in 2025! We’ll be hosting walks of varying lengths and difficulties from April through November. These events are great for exploring new trails in THE LINK Trail Network, learning about local history, or just getting outside for a walk with a group. This year we’ll be offering two bike rides alongside the amazing walks we have planned. These events are free but do require registration as space is limited.  

We have the first in our HMP History Hikes series happening on May 4^th at 1pm on the industrial connections to the Lehigh River and Canal. The second walk in the previously mentioned series will take place on June 1 at 1pm and will focus on the Lucy Furnace and Glendon Iron Works. You can learn more about each walk and sign up here.  

Don’t forget to join Get Your Tail on the Trail, if you haven’t already so you can log your miles and earn prize incentives for completing our annual challenges. We had over 800 participants in our 2025 Winter Challenge who achieved the badge and the incentive sponsored by St. Luke’s University Health Network. If you missed the last challenge, don’t worry because the Kick-Off event for the 165 Challenge is set for May 3^rd at Sand Island in Bethlehem, sign up here to enjoy the walk, run, and bike ride that we have planned.  

Vessels to Quench Our Thirst and Curiosity 

Written by Alice Wannamaker, DLNHC Economic Development Manager

What’s Your Favorite Reusable Water Bottle? 

Hey there friends! I’m not going to bury the lead here, we want to hear from you!  If you are willing to take a survey for us, you’ll be entered into a contest to win a D&L Trail Mile Marker sticker of your choice! And what goes better with stickers than reusable water bottles, right?  

Together we are going to quench our curiosity and find the favorite reusable water bottle of our D&L Trail users and DLNHC fans! We want to know what drives you to choose your favorite reusable water bottle – material, color, use/purpose, functionality, shape, cost and more.  

After we hear from as many of you as possible, we will review the results and pick our next branded DLNHC and D&L Trail Reusable Water Bottle – to be sold in our online store and coming to a Trail Friendly Business near you in the near future!   

Use the form below to answer our survey. Survey responses are due by April 30, but don’t wait… we are thirsting for your feedback right away!!  

Thank you, in advance, for helping us with this search.  If you’re heading out on the trail now and can’t wait to purchase our new reusable water bottle, be sure to support one of our D&L Trail Friendly Businesses. We have a plenty gear shops for you to choose from – and many of them will fill your water bottle for free anytime you pop in. Happy Spring, stay hydrated, and we’ll see you on the trail!  

New D&L Trail Connections Coming Soon

This season multiple D&L Trail projects are moving forward and are seeking trail user feedback. Here is a quick snapshot of which projects are in progress and could use your input. 

• Oliver Mills to Mountain Top Trail Section (also known as a portion of the Black Diamond D&L Trail Section) – the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA) is developing the D&L Trail between the Mountain Top D&L Trailhead to just short of the Oliver Mills Crossing in Luzerne County. A public meeting was held on 3/20/2025 to collect public comments on the designs that were prepared back in 2021 so their engineer can update the plans and progress to construction later this year or in early 2026. You can review the documents online and share comments until April 18^th. 

• Hanover Canal Park to St. Luke’s Way Trail Section – Hanover Township in Lehigh County is developing the D&L Trail section that will complete the trail in their community. Public comment for this section recently passed at a meeting on 3/5/2025 when trail plans were presented for comment on the route including a retaining wall, fencing, and boardwalk options to consider. The Township anticipates construction for the 10-foot-wide multiuse path will begin this fall and open to the public to enjoy in early 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on this project. 

• St. Luke’s Way to Overlook Park Trail Section – the City of Allentown is developing a trail segment that will connect to Hanover Township’s project – extending from St. Luke’s Way through Kimmett’s Lock Trailhead to the existing trail along Bradford Street. A public meeting will be held this Spring to collect comments on the design. Stay tuned for more updates on this project. 

• D&L Trail Crossing Study in Falls & Bristol Townships – Falls Township and Bristol Township in Bucks County are working to prepare a crossing study to improve safety at six (6) D&L Trail street crossings. Public meetings are anticipated in May – stay tuned for more updates on this project. 

Stay up to date on these projects and more by following our DLNHC social media. 

Embracing Trail Life  

Written by Brit Kondravy, DLNHC Conservation Coordinator

Where there’s a trail there’s a way to disconnect from everyday stressors and focus on propelling oneself through nature by walking, rolling, pedaling, or paddling. This type of outdoor recreation requires us to observe and respond to the environment in real time – a de facto method for mindfulness that opens us up to spontaneous joy and delight. 

The term, “trail” can refer to multiuse trails, like the D&L Trail; hiking trails, such as the Appalachian Trail; and water trails, such as Lehigh River and Delaware River water trails. The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor encompasses each of these trail types.  

I have found that spending one or more days on a trail fosters a feeling of freedom. When shared with others the experience boosts a sense of belonging. That is why I am a personal proponent of guided group activities. They promote social bonding and encourage residents and visitors alike to explore natural resources and local points of interests. From bikepacking the D&L Trail with CAT-Coalition for Appropriate Transporation in Carbon and Bucks counties to paddling the Lehigh River and camping in Northampton County during Lehigh River Sojourn, the Corridor is full of ways to immerse yourself in trail life this spring, summer, and fall.  

Register for DLNHC’s State of the Trail Address  and to learn the various ways in which YOU can enjoy trail life here in the Corridor. 

I especially invite you to consider joining the Lehigh River Sojourn, Delaware River Sojourn, or both! 

Coordinated river sojourns provide a notable community service by addressing the equipment and transportation needs that would typically limit would-be paddlers from enjoying a long stretch of river.  

Both the Lehigh River Sojourn and Delaware River Sojourn provide paddlers with equipment (raft, canoe, or kayak – see individual sojourn event page for more information), and transportation to and from the launch and take out locations are covered. Registration typically includes breakfast, lunch, and optional camping at a pre-selected location. As a bonus, each event will feature local partners, providing educational lunches and entertainment at night to bring the river and sojourn experience to life. 

To learn more, read below and/or visit the sojourn registration pages.

Lehigh River Sojourn, June 7-10, 2025 

The Lehigh River Water Trail is 72-miles long, starting in White Haven, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania and ending in the City of Easton, Northampton County, where the Lehigh River meets its confluence with the Delaware River. 

Delaware River Sojourn, June 14-20, 2025 

The Delaware River is the longest free-flowing (un-dammed) river in the Eastern United Sates. It originates in New York’s Catskill Mountains and flows for 418 m before reaching the Atlantic Ocean close to Delaware’s Cape Henlopen and New Jersey’s Cape May.