The D&L Trail is a 165-mile multi-use trail running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol. The northern terminus is located in Mountain Top, Luzerne County with its highest point being 1,785’. The trail follows the same route that the anthracite coal once took from mine to market and winds along the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. As you walk the towpath, there are interpretive signs that mark points of interest on the trail. Since the trail runs along the river, there’s lots of wildlife to be seen here. I walk this path some days in the early mornings and there’s plenty of species of birds including Bald Eagles which are making a comeback in the area. Bald Eagles are listed as protected and no longer considered endangered or threatened. Last week I happened to see one flying upstream along the canal. I didn’t see any Bald Eagles today, but I did catch a glimpse of a Red Fox making its way across the trail. I walked about 2 miles to Hope Road where there’s a washout apparently left over from Tropical Storm Isaias. It’s not impassable, but I made this my turnaround point since I was short on time this morning. The D&L National Heritage Corridor is full of history and is a great place to come for fresh air and exercise when you just need to get out for an easy walk on the trail.
I recently learned about Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary which is located not far from where I live. I’ve been doing short hikes and nature walks early in the mornings and sticking close to home because it’s been too hot and humid this summer to do any long mileage or strenuous hiking. This was my first time visiting the sanctuary which is part of Natural Lands, a non-profit organization preserving open space in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Mariton is absolutely lovely. It sits on top of Bougher Hill and overlooks the Delaware River. There is a small trail system that took me through the woods and along the slopes of Bougher Hill to the River Lookout which on a clear day may have provided views of the Delaware Canal below. The woods were thick with morning mist and being the first on the trails so early in the morning I was breaking through spider silk from the previous evening. The forest was so still and quiet. The kind of quiet that almost hurts your ears. Who knew such a place existed so close to home! I kept my walk short today and didn’t bother to record any mileage. I simply enjoyed the scenery and took these wonderful photos. I will most definitely be back to do more exploring.
