Northeast - Schuylkill River Trail Question

I ride the northern end of the trail almost every week day (I work in Valley Forge). I'd like to start making some trips all the way down to the art museum. I rode the southern portion from Conshahocken down to the art museum a couple years ago and it seems I remember having to take to the roads for a couple miles or so. Has anyone ridden this lately? Can you stay on the trail the whole way or is there still a detour on the roadways?

Thanks,
Randy

Here's a link.

http://www.schuylkillriver.org/trail_pages/first_map_paths.pdf

Seems to show everything is a trail all the way to Philly. Haven't ridden it though.

I ride the northern end of the trail almost every week day (I work in Valley Forge). I'd like to start making some trips all the way down to the art museum. I rode the southern portion from Conshahocken down to the art museum a couple years ago and it seems I remember having to take to the roads for a couple miles or so. Has anyone ridden this lately? Can you stay on the trail the whole way or is there still a detour on the roadways?

Thanks,
Randy


There are some sections that are not trail:

Going north to south:
1. About 2 1/2 miles south of Spring Mill, at Port Royal Road, there is a 1/2 mile section on a very quiet
road.

2a. You can then take the gravel/cinder 'towpath' through most of Manayunk if you don't have a road bike.
2b. Otherwise, you get a road detour on Shawmont, Umbria, and Main Street Manayunk. Bike lane on the first part, then narrow urban but I have not had a problem. Main St can get very backed up with car traffic. about 3 miles.

3. Near the south end of Manayunk until the entrance to Kelly Drive is on-road, about 1 mile (?)

4. The entrance to kelly drive is narrow-ish sidewalk for the first few hundred hards, then widens out to bike path all the way down to the Art Museum (and, for 2 miles south of the art museum to Locust St).

4. The entrance to kelly drive is narrow-ish sidewalk for the first few hundred hards, then widens out to bike path all the way down to the Art Museum (and, for 2 miles south of the art museum to Locust St).

Right, but especially if you're heading into Philly, I'd strongly recommend staying on the road until you get to Falls Bridge. The sidewalk is indeed (too) narrow, and it's very common to meet up with cyclists, joggers, and walkers coming in the opposite direction- IMO, it's really unsafe to ride on in eather direction. For coming back, then, I'd sugest the following:

If you're coming back MLK Drive (and thus crossing Falls Bridge) continue stratight across Kelly Drive- this is Calumet St. Make a left onto Ridge and when you get to the big Y, bear left to get back onto Main Street. Then ride this in through Manayun the way you came. Two caveats: 1. watch the merge to the right with traffic coming off the Roosevelt, and 2. watch the signals at the Y- you'll need to cross traffic and bear left out in the middle. If this is uncomfortable (and especially if it's busy), try dismounting at the light and cross to the other side of Ridge at the old Wissahickon Transfer Station, and then goi up that side till you're past the Y (you'll be on Main St.), and cross over so you're going with traffic.

If you're coming back up Kelly Drive, simply make a right at the Falls Bridge to cross Kelly and get onto Calumet, and follow directions for above.

Thanks for the help guys. Now that I've read your descriptions, it's coming back to me. Sounds like it's basically the same as the last time I rode it.

Thanks again,
Randy

Glad to help, Randy! BTW, I understand that the narrow sidewalk in question is going to be widened early this fall, so it will be like an extension of the path that runs from the Art Museum to Falls Bridge. That will definitely be a help! Also, in case you're interested, the Lincoln Drive bike path (runs from Ridge to Forbidden Drive) is now open, even though the signs say otherwise. I think they may be doing some touch-up work, but it's definitely rideable.

MTB, is that the one through Fairmount Park? I think it used to be stone right? Is it paved now?

Thanks,
Randy

MTB, is that the one through Fairmount Park? I think it used to be stone right? Is it paved now?

Thanks,
Randy


Yes- it is the connector from Ridge Avenue to Forbidden Drive- it parallels the Wissahickon Creek (and Lincoln Drive). They have signs up indicating that the trail is closed, but quite a few people use it, and the trail is definitely nicer. It was packed gravel with lots of erosion (aome of it dangerously close to the river!), but now it's all paved. A smmoth ride :p.

Silly question - but is the whole thing paved?

Silly question - but is the whole thing paved?

The Schuylkill River Trail is paved except for the Manayunk towpath section (2a in my previous post), from Locust Street in Philadelphia, all the way to about 3 or 4 miles past Valley Forge Betzwood on the Perkiomen Trail. That's about 25 miles length.

Forbidden Drive is not paved.

And the Audubon Loop, which is an easy way to connect just past Valley forge to the Perkiomen Trail, is paved. (The Perk is paved in some places, packed gravel in others). The Linocln Drive path is fully paved- beware of the transitions on the wooden bridges, though- these are pretty harsh, and you'll need to either bunny hop, go really slow, or dismount and lift over the metal angle irons that protect the wood- they're about 4" high and can destroy a rim or at least give you a nasty pinch flat if you're not careful.

I can't seem to add a new thread so I have to post this here. I rode the schuylkill river trail from Oaks to Miquon and it was great--no problems except one. I would like to commute to my job in Miquon via this trail occasionally, but I'm a little afraid of some of the neighborhoods. Sorry to sound like a wimp but I'm a small woman and I'm a bit afraid of being confronted by thugs on the trail. I'm talking about the area of Norristown between the train station and the sewage plant. In fact I heard there was a pervert stalking this trail.

Am I being way too chicken or is there reason for concern? Have others heard of problems on this trail? And is there anything I can do about it besides carrying pepper spray?

Greenfeather,

I only ride that trail occassionally, but I know someone who rides it more often (The Historian), and have asked him to respond to your question if he knows anything related to safety concerns in the area. I recall the area, and it seemed safe enough to me, but I am a large guy, and it was during the day...

Hopefully there will be encouraging news for you.

You are not being chicken and should be concerned. For what it's worth when I used to work in the ghettos of Norristown(10+ years ago) there were a bunch of homeless people that used to live down by the river where the path is. Some parts of Norristown are/were pretty bad and if I were a small woman I wouldn't venture in alone. It has been a long time since I rode that path but what I remember it was somewhat remote when it goes through the Norristown area. I would be careful and ride very fast through that section. Don't always go through the same time of day. Make it random so if the perverts are stalking you they won't be able to predict your schedule. The only other thing besides pepper spray would be to carry a gun :D I would think most of the crack heads would be still sleeping in the morning so I would be more concerned on the ride home in the afternoon especially in the days after the welfare checks get handed out.

greenfeather,

Like I mentioned earlier, I work in VF and ride the trail almost every day at lunchtime, getting on at Betzwood. I often go down to Conshohocken and I know the area that you're talking about. I've never seen any seedy looking characters around there, but again, I'm always going through around midday.

Thinking about it, I would probably let my wife ride through there in the middle of the day since there's usually a decent amount of bike traffic at that time of day, but I don't know about the early morning. I'd have to ride it then myself to see how many people are out.

If there are others out then, my one suggestion would be to ask a fellow rider if they mind if you ride with them as you pass through there. I've found most cyclists on the trail to be friendly and helpful and I'd be surprised if one wouldn't accompany you.

Randy

I can't seem to add a new thread so I have to post this here. I rode the schuylkill river trail from Oaks to Miquon and it was great--no problems except one. I would like to commute to my job in Miquon via this trail occasionally, but I'm a little afraid of some of the neighborhoods. Sorry to sound like a wimp but I'm a small woman and I'm a bit afraid of being confronted by thugs on the trail. I'm talking about the area of Norristown between the train station and the sewage plant. In fact I heard there was a pervert stalking this trail.

Am I being way too chicken or is there reason for concern? Have others heard of problems on this trail? And is there anything I can do about it besides carrying pepper spray?

The pervert rumor is a new one. I've never had a problem, but then I'm 6'1" and folks mistake me for a cop, even on a bike.

There have been rumors of problems in this area for at least a year, but they seem to stem from folks thinking other folks look dangerous. I've never seen a report of a crime, and in fact, I feel safer riding in Norristown than I did riding in some places in NJ - I once had someone follow me for a block in Dunellon asking how much I paid for my bike.

when I used to work in the ghettos of Norristown(10+ years ago) there were a bunch of homeless people that used to live down by the river where the path is.

I didn't think the path came close to the river until Conshohocken, which has a completely different, gentrified vibe.


Some parts of Norristown are/were pretty bad ... I would be careful and ride very fast through that section. Don't always go through the same time of day.

the scariest part is where the trail makes a loop and goes under an overpass right next to a sewage plant. This is the most remote section and it is impossible to go fast, as it involves a hill AND a circle!

I don't do this commute every day because I work at home 3 days a week. It would probably be just once a week. The time would be 6-7:15 AM and then 4:15 to 5:30 in the afternoon. In fact today I did it for the very first time and am debating whether I'm ever going to do it again.

Well, I feel I could be of some help here, being an East Fallser. The towpath should be fine to ride on, if you prefer to stay off of Ridge and Main Street going up toward Manayunk. The gravel there is decent, even on a road bike, and riding through those streets is less than pleasant, especially around happy hour time.

Be sure to wave next time you see me out on my old Centurion. My roommates and I ride to the city and have a few beers pretty regularly. It is a breeze on the way there, but coming home with 2 or 3 beers in you can get a little tough.

the scariest part is where the trail makes a loop and goes under an overpass right next to a sewage plant. This is the most remote section and it is impossible to go fast, as it involves a hill AND a circle!


Ah, the Corkscrew. One of my personal peeves on the trail, the other being the sidewalk riding at the Norristown Transportation Center.

the scariest part is where the trail makes a loop and goes under an overpass right next to a sewage plant. This is the most remote section and it is impossible to go fast, as it involves a hill AND a circle!

I don't do this commute every day because I work at home 3 days a week. It would probably be just once a week. The time would be 6-7:15 AM and then 4:15 to 5:30 in the afternoon. In fact today I did it for the very first time and am debating whether I'm ever going to do it again.

You're talking about rush hour - I wouldn't worry too much re:saftey at those hours, there's commuters mostly out there at those times & you shouldn't have too many difficulties

I am a woman and only ride this trail in afternoon/early evenings but I am most wary of the section with housing between the closed bike cafe and the overpass before the Norristown transportation center (if you are traveling east). There are playgrounds and courts at the lower level on both sides. Kids (10-20 something) regularly pass back and forth over the trail and I have been harassed and terrified by them on several occasions over the past couple of years. Sometimes it's as harmless as obscene gestures/comments and sometimes it has been more threatening. I have had a couple of interactions where they have threatened to block my passage, and one encounter where a kid stood in front of me intimating that he was going to knock me off my bike with his basketball. It may be just a game but it is terrifying nonetheless. I may be paranoid now but I always make an effort to stay close to other cyclists if at all possible when I pass thru that section, regardless if it means that I have to ride 10MPH or 23MPH (to catch up to someone) to not pass thru alone. This week, I've noticed that a few of these kids are now hanging out on road bikes, which makes me even more nervous. Occasionally, I see women jogging thru there, alone and wearing headphones. I always wonder what there experience has been.

I have not encountered any other problems other than an occasional dog on a long leash, cyclists riding 3 abreast, crazy cyclists doing 25 MPH intervals weaving thru congestion, and a few beggars looking for $. There is one particular guy who often hangs out near Pawlings Road on a mtn bike...always has a flat too serious to patch, and is looking for $ for bus fare.

Today my wife and I rode from Betzwood to Manayunk, up Forbidden Drive and then back to Betzwood.

We saw a Montgomery County Sheriff patrolling the trail on a motorcycle in the section from the sewage treatment plant up to above Norristown. I spoke with him. He informed me that he does this patrol on Thursday and Friday each week. Of course that would be day shift.
Then there is a township police officer on a bicycle who patrols from the Trooper Road Access area down to Norristown on weekends.

My wife and I do this trail 2 or 3 days a week. Spending the entire day on the trail. Prior to this summer the Norristown section was rough. A lot of problems with the local thugs. During the summer of 2007 we saw PA State Police patrolling on bicycles in that area. Plus plain cloths officers.

This summer there has been no problems that I am aware of. As soon as trail users complain to park rangers or the police they move in and move them out.

There are a number of trail users who are retired local police or retired state police.

This summer has seen an increase in local police and federal park ranger patrolling in the Trooper Road access area. Cars were broken into and bicycles left unattended for even a few minutes were stolen. That nonsense was minimized as a result.

We have used the Schuylkill River Trail for 5 years now. This summer was the most pleasant one of the 5 years as far as lack of problems go. Security of trail users has become a priority item with the local police forces.

great news to read...thanks