Thursday Sep 1, 2016 - Schuylkill Canal Park, Phoenixville

LISA (Al's niece) will lead a 5-6 mile canal and ravines hike in the Schuylkill Canal Park and the Schuylkill River Trail starting at Lock #60. I will meet you near the Lock which is right by the parking. We will cross the canal and begin our hike by walking up-creek along a small tributary to the Schuylkill on a wooded path called "Neil Thorpe" trail. We will cross the creek on a path that winds gently up to a ridge, and follow the ridge back out to overlook the river. We will continue along the ridge until the trail gently winds down to another creek. The path crosses that creek and follows it out to the river. We will then walk on a very level path along the riverbank to return to Lock 60. That part of the hike usually takes me about an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. I have no idea how long it is. In the other direction from Lock 60 is a 2.5 mile level trail along the canal with the river visible much of the time. The last half mile there is the option of taking another wooded path along the river instead of following the canal up and back. Everyone can walk as much or as little of the canal path as one chooses. No guide will be required to get you back to the car.

1st MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Boscov's Exeter Twp. In northeast corner of the parking lot.

2nd MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ the parking lot at Lock 60 on the Schuylkill River Canal. There are only two turns from 422 East to get there: right onto Route 29 South then, in about 2.1 miles, right onto Tow Path Road The parking lot is in Canal Park about 0.8 mile at the end of that road. IN MORE DETAIL: Take 422 East to Route 29. The exit will be marked Phoenixville and Collegeville. (This is the second exit marked Phoenixville; ignore the much earlier one to Route 724.) At the end of the exit ramp, go right onto Route 29 South, towards Phoenixville. You will proceed about 2.1 miles (through two lights almost immediately after the ramp, the traffic light at Egypt Road (about 1.8 miles) and the traffic light at Walnut Street. After passing the traffic light at Walnut Street (Produce Junction on your left), you will ascend slightly as Route 29 begins to bridge the Schuylkill River. BEFORE YOU CROSS THE BRIDGE, at the beginning of the ascent, on your right is sharp turn marked by a rectangular sign that reads prominently "To Lock 60". (It also says "Schuylkill River Trail", and "Canal Park"). This is Tow Path Road, and you should make a right there. Proceed about 0.8 mile to the parking spaces at the end of that drive.

TELEPHONE: Leader Lisa cell# 484-345-8512 (leave message-will return call) if questions.