The D&L Blog

Seasonal Updates

Winter is coming to the Corridor! For some winter is a time to hunker down indoors with a cozy blanket and a warm drink; for others it is a time to explore familiar spaces through a frosty lens. Winter transforms our landscapes and seems to slow down time. There is a sense of calm and quiet outdoors and activities like walking, bird watching, and stargazing can take advantage of the season.  

This winter is anticipated to be colder, with a higher snowfall than the past two years. These conditions are perfect for walking, hiking, fat tire biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and even snowmobiling. If there are six inches or more of snow on the ground, come by the National Canal Museum in Easton to rent a pair of our snowshoes to use around Hugh Moore Park. And remember, snowmobiling is permitted in Lehigh Gorge State Park between White Haven (MM 130.2) and Penn Haven (MM 114.2) – use caution when out on this section in low visibility and respect all permitted modes of travel.  

To hear about things you might see when winter hiking, check out Winter Hiking with Emily Ford. In this blog, Emily shares with REI why winter hiking is her favorite activity, including reasons ranging from a lack of pesky bugs to the freedom to carry more food with you that stays fresh in the cold.  

Before you head out this winter, check the list of tips below to ensure you have a comfy and safe trip. For more winter planning insights- visit REI’s Cold-Weather Hiking Tips webpage.  

• Check the conditions – know what the weather looks like for the day (temperature, precipitation), the road conditions, sunset times, and check the evening temperatures in case you get caught out later than expected. 
• Winter hiking can be slower – traversing snow or ice means you’re making safe and conscious steps and can move slower than you would on a warmer day. Remember to account for a slower pace when you’re planning your trip. 
• Dress in layers from head to toe – dress in a base, mid, and shell layers to keep you warm and sheltered from the cold/wet. Cover your head, hands, nose, cheeks and ears to avoid wind burn, and bring a bag so you can peel off layers as you warm up.  
• The sun doesn’t hibernate – don’t leave your sunscreen and sunglasses at home! You can still get sunburned in the winter and light can reflect off of snow, burning your nose, chin and neck. Keep sun protection in your winter bag so you’re always prepared. 
• Remember a light – there is less daylight in the winter and our average sunset is between 5-6PM from December to February in Eastern PA. Keep a headlamp or flashlight in your winter bag and make sure your spare batteries are in a pocket close to your body to keep them warm.  
• Warm snacks, warm you – food and water intake are just as important in the winter. Keep your food and water in a warm place, or pack hot drinks in a thermos, to avoid freezing and to raise your body temperature when you stop to recharge.  
• Know the signs of cold injuries – get familiar with the signs of frostbite and hypothermia so you can quickly seek treatment if needed. Check out the signs to look for in the REI Tips linked above. 
• Share how you wind into winter! Tag us when you’re out on the trail this winter with #DLTrail, #DLNHC or #GetYourTailOnTheTrail. 

Trails & Conservation Department Update

We welcomed a new Trails & Conservation Associate to the department in November. Please help us give a warm welcome to Tiffany Serra!  

D&L Trail Update

2023 was a busy year of planning and laying the groundwork for the D&L Trail across the Corridor. DLNHC, our local landowners, and partners progressed multiple trail segments through planning, title research, engineering and even construction. The fruits of these labors will be well worth it, and we hope to share some of them with you in 2024! 

The year ahead will be a major one for celebrating groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings from the Delaware Canal to the Anthracite regions. Three projects in the Lehigh Valley Gap: Canal Side will shift into the engineering phase with our partners at the City of Allentown, Hanover Township and Lehigh County. We plan to have shovels in the ground for two projects in Luzerne County with partners including the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association, North Branch Land Trust and PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry. And we’ll see ribbon cuttings in the Delaware Canal Region for a pedestrian road crossing at Bridge Street in Morrisville and long-awaited trail repairs within the Delaware Canal State Park.  

Stay up to date on these projects and more by reading DLNHC newsletters, checking out the online interactive map, and scrolling through our social media.

Interactive Map Updates

MPORTANT NOTE: Our Interactive Map is updated regularly with information provided by landowners. Please note, an update will remain posted with the original posting date for as long as the incident is relevant. Please check our Interactive Map for current updates before planning any excursions on the D&L Trail.  

• The Delaware Canal region was one of the most heavily damaged sections of the D&L Trail after Tropical Storm Ida in 2021. Multiple repair projects are now underway to restore the trail surface. Please practice patience and safety while navigating around these closures as it takes time to properly rebuild the trail.
  • Closures at MM 44 and MM 31 remain closed to trail users. 
• Tinicum Park – Virginia Forrest Recreation Area – Obstruction within trail section – the trail is closed at Bridge 4 Ln (MM 35.5) and Bridge 3 Ln (MM 35) due to construction. It’s also closed at the Golden Pheasant Bridge (MM 37.5) for emergency bridge repairs. 
• Forks of the Delaware Trailhead (MM 58.9) – Notice – there is limited parking while the D&L Trail is repaired to the south. 
• Virginia Forrest Recreation Area – Bristol Lagoon– Notice – water in the Delaware Canal has been drawn down from MM 29 to MM 1.1 due to construction related activity. 
• New Hope – Washington Crossing (Upper) – Bridge Advisory – Upper Union Mills Bridge (MM 23.8) will have intermittent closures during construction. The trail will remain open. 
• Morrisville – Bristol Lagoon- Complete, open and improved – the trail is open at Bridge Street (MM 9-10) in Morrisville after construction on the pedestrian crossing was completed. A celebration will be held in 2024. 

Written by Liz Rosencrans, DLNHC Director of Trails & Conservation

Liz leads the Trails & Conservation Department and is responsible for the progression of trail projects from concept to completion, handling everything from grant writing to technical plan reviews and construction oversight. She also oversees several D&L Trail volunteer programs.