Note - I have added photos of the newly paved section through Valley Forge National Park on the BCGP Trail pages
Thanks to BCGP Supercommuter Wes Norton for giving us an update on the trail -----Original Message----- From: Wes Norton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 11:12 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Updates on Perkiomen Valley trail. John, My trip home from Wyeth at Arcola Rd and the Perkiomen yesterday was faster than the ride in to work. More paving has been done on the connector between Valley Forge and the bridge over the Perkiomen creek at the 422 industrial complex...in fact, that section is almost complete. The RR bridge over the Perkiomen creek has been freshly graded to remove tree debris from the clearing of the trail, but not paved at this time. No stone has been laid there as yet. But it IS better than before. No immediate plans are set to pave this bridge, according to the trail crew foreman. Work has started (5/16/02) on the creek level trail between the RR bridge over the Perkiomen and the county park at Oaks. The trail through the park is complete. There has been grading and paving started (5/16/02) on the link from the north end of the Oaks park, under the Egypt Rd bridge to the beginning of Lower Indianhead Rd. This section, in the rear of SEI is already paved ( old stuff) but the weeds on the shoulder have been freshly trimmed, and repaving will start soon. Note: the creek level, 150 yard section under Egypt Rd bridge is still muddy and/or wet from the flood early this week...currently it is better to exit (SB) the trail up the hill before the Egypt Rd Bridge and over the road fence at Cider Mill Rd and Egypt Rd than go under the bridge. Use Cider Mill to Egypt Rd, under the 422 Expressway to the 422 industrial park, through the Industrial Park, then over the bridge to the Valley Forge trail extension. Reverse the instructions for northbound travel. Minor work is still being done on the trail sections from Upper Indianhead Rd to Collegeville, but the trail is contiguous and ridable. Fencing is being built between the trail and select properties on this section of the trail. Signs are up and road crossing painting has been done. I've recommended to the trail crew foreman that certain sections are still too loose for easy travel and could get a topping of finer gravel. ( They really asked my oppinion....really! ). I'd planned ot ride today (5/17/02) , but the weather forecast detered me. It WAS raining lightly in Philly last night and this morning, but it looks like it might be a good riding day in this area. Time will tell. A recap..........a mountain bike or hybrid is needed for the trip north to CV on the west side of the Perkiomen creek ( from the RR bridge over the creek , beside the 422 Expressway bridge) From that bridge east, you can road bike or even roller-blade towards Valley Forge Park and points south (downtown Philly). Wes Norton ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley list named "bike." To subscribe or unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
