Trail Map Version 2.3 posted
With the trails now tucked safely under 2 feet of snow, I decided to update the map to include two of the winter construction projects. There is now a new spectacular bridge crossing Middle Run Creek at the stepping stones. I believe it’s an 85 foot span, and there is plenty of decking beyond that to clear the flood plain. The bridge was assembled by a small army of volunteers during the chill between Christmas and New Years.
The other new addition to the trail system is a connector trail between Lenape and Paper Mill Park which was started near the end of the summer and saw a lot of work in the fall. There used to be a thin trail here which connected Middle Run Crossing development, but it overgrew and was never well engineered to begin with . The new trail begins at a spur off the jogging trail by the pond in Paper Mill Park. It then crosses the marshland into Middle Run Crossing on a long boardwalk, skirts a large pond and dam spillway, and follows the creek through the woods all the way to Lenape. I last walked it in the fall, and it was nearly completed, but there may still be some work to do in the spring before the trail is completely open.
It isn’t often that Delaware gets 2 feet of snow, but if you have a pair of cross country skis tucked in your garage, you’re in for a real winter treat. Many of the woodland trails have been packed by snowshoes and are a fine ski. Now that the fields have crusted over a bit, they are wonderful to ski, and there are numerous tracks to follow. Some trails, such as Judge Morris, have seen enough traffic that they are passable without snowshoes, but please try not to leave deep boot prints on trails which have only seen snowshoe and ski traffic. There is also a popular sledding spot in front of Pike Creek Church if that’s more your speed.