The D&L Blog

Written by Scott Everett, Stewardship & Trail Manager

With nice weather predicted for the weekend, I decided a perfect Father’s Day gift would be spending some time doing two of my favorite outdoor activities – kayaking and biking.

My son and I ventured up to Mauch Chunk Lake, near Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. For years, this has been my favorite camping spot and is quickly turning into one of my favorite places to kayak. With the opening of bass season, there were a lot of people on the water. My son and I spent a few enjoyable hours on the lake.

Scott enjoys kayaking the region's lakes, as much as he enjoys riding the region's trails.

My family has now learned when we travel within the Corridor, I will more than likely be stopping to check things out on the trail and trailheads. Saturday was no different.

After kayaking, we went over to Lehigh Gorge State Park. Passing through downtown Jim Thorpe, things were bustling on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. At LGSP, all of the parking lots were full.

Heading southward, the Weissport Trailhead was also busy with trail users and fishermen. Please reference my other blog posting on the progress being made on Weissport flood damage repairs.

The Lehigh Gap Nature Center was also busy with people checking out the trails and rafters floating down the Lehigh River.

We then stopped at the Slatington Trailhead to have lunch at the Slatington Lions Club stand. People were parked everywhere due to the trailhead being closed for construction. The stand workers have been doing an informal survey asking their patrons where they are from. While a lot of the trail users are local residents, many are from other parts of the Lehigh Valley that have heard about this section of trail now being open.

Finally, we stopped at the Cove Road Trailhead under the Treichler’s Bridge. The parking lot was completely full. Little did I realize, this is a very popular place for kids to float on the river. I always like to see the different ways the trail and the adjacent river are being used.

A trio of riders enjoy a new section of trail in North Whitehall Township.

On Sunday, I got up early, planning on doing a solo ride from Laury’s to Slatington. These plans were quickly abandoned due to two conversations with people I encountered along the trail. First, I ran into one of our Trail Tenders and Trail Patrolers, Dean the Bikeman just south of the bridge. We spent awhile getting caught up on everything we are both doing on the trail. Dean has been the coordinator of the excellent work being done to improve the Cementon Trailhead and has also been working on the clearing of the Lock 25 area in Walnutport.

After we moved on, I continued northward where I ran into one of the trail’s adjacent landowners. I am always interested in getting their feedback when a new segment of trail opens. He has not had any issues so far. That is always good to hear.

It was a great Father’s Day weekend hanging out in the Corridor.