Morris Canal Greenway - Warren and Sussex County, NJ

The Following Information is courtesy of the authors Michael Helbing and Matthew Davis, in their collaborative effort:

Following the Morris Canal Mile-by-Mile. The Warren County Section is complete, and will go to press shortly. Contact matthew@sgfstudios.com for more information.

Trail:

The sections are kept short to help get the hiker to take their time. In the congested and built.up New Jersey landscape, it’s easy to speed across the turnpike en route to another destination. This hike is less a journey with a destination of where, but with a destination of when. Take the time to look for clues that can lead the imagination back in time,to when water was the sole means of conveyance. The sites described herein will never be rebuilt, and are slowly disappearing as development and nature erase the clues. It is a reminder to us all that all traces of our modern works will be forgotten in 100 years time.

The guide is described from west to east. Hopefully, future revisions of this guide will be described in both directions.

Section One: The Delaware River to State Route 22

Access: At the west end of the section, the parking is near Union Station and the surrounding area. Watch for the meters or permit parking, but plenty of free parking is available. At the east end of the section, limited parking is available on the shoulder of Lock Street. Parking on State Route 22 is not recommended.

0.0 Be mindful of the railroad tracks in this area. While not in mainline use, they are still used for the Delaware River Railroad Excursions trail ride, featuring a steam locomotive and several periodcars. Beginning at Union Square,Phillipsburg,near the old Railroad Station, cross the parking lot toward the Delaware River. A walk across the Northampton Street Free Bridge and onto the park lands on the Pennsylvania side will offer views of the outlet arch of the Morris Canal at Inclined Plane #11 West. To reach the Morris Canal, take a set of steps leading down to the riverside and walk along the river downstream. The edge of the river has many fishermen's paths that change a bit year to year.

0.1   Pass under a railroad trestle. This was built for the Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad which had trackage rights along the former Bel Del line from Belvidere to Phillipsburg (It's main line was Belvidere to Maybrook NY). It crossed the Delaware and then had trackage rights on the Lehigh Valley Railroad toward Bethlehem PA.

0.3   Reach the outlet arch. This stone arch kept often high water from flooding out the Inclined Plane immediately on the opposite side of the arch. There are newer, though abandoned, concrete structures attached to the arch. There are ladders in place, but it is safer to circumvent them and descend to the former inclined plane without climbing.

0.4   Pass under two railroad bridges. First is the former Central Railroad of New Jersey, now active as Norfolk Southern. Second is former Lehigh Valley Railroad, abandoned. Once there was a double decker railroad bridge made of wood that carried both lines. Next, cross over the former Bel Del tracks. The tops of the abutments  where a bridge crossed over the inclined plane are still visible,  though it's long been filled in. Opposite this spot, walk up a path to the corner of a park where a paved path follows the former canal route.

0.5   Reach paved path in park. Soon, an historic marker denotes the canal's former existence here.

0.6   Pass below Mt. Parnassus to the northeast. The Lehigh Valley Railroad blasted through this rock outcropping to build the connector track to the Bel Del. Famous historic photographs of the  Morris Canal were taken from atop the rock. A steep path leads to the top from inside the railroad cut. A large parking lot will soon  appear on the left. Continue through the park on the field.

0.9   The pavement and park ends. There is a hole in the fence to the right leading to the former Bel Del Tracks parallel with the former canal. Turn and follow the tracks to the left.

1.3   Reach the lumber company yard. Turn left, then left again on another abandoned railroad right of way.

1.4   A path to the right leads across the former canal, unrecognizable here, and onto McKeen Street. It is necessary to temporarily leave the canal here.

1.5   Pass beneath former Lehigh Valley Railroad, abandoned. Soon,turn right on Mercer Street.

1.7   Reach Main Street and turn right passing beneath former Lehigh Valley Railroad again. The canal was a short distance to the right.

1.9   Reach Andover Morris Elementary School.The canal went through the front yard of the school and is somewhat recognizable. Follow it along a fence and then along a ball field.

2.0   Reach Morris Canal Way, a street built in the former canal and turn right continuing. The road reaches an intersection with Sawmill Street. Go straight across and follow a path along the former canal.

2.1 Reach a tree line. There is a stone arch, probably having something to do with the canal, mostly filled in. The canal apparently entered the creek here. There is a footbridge to the left, closed to public. Walk beneath it and head back out toward Main Street. What appears to be a former road route cuts to the right and leads out to the main street.

2.3 Reach Main Street. The canal was to the south with the creek. A wide grassy area continues making this a nice section for walking.

2.5 Pass a liquor store on the right and continue.

2.6 Reach Green's Bridge. Two railroad trestles exist here, the stone arch of the former Central Railroad of NJ (abandoned here) and the former Lehigh Valley Railroad (now Norfolk Southern here). Walk beneath the bridges along the creek and note the worn lines in the piers from the tow ropes as well as the wooden walkway beneath the bridge, still just barely submerged in the creek, which was one with the canal at this point.

2.7   The creek and canal passed beneath Main Street. Cross here and continue on the street.

2.8    Reach the next piece of the canal.The section to the left would have to be an out.and.back hike of only about 0.2 miles. The towpath is intact and it is a lovely, though short section. To continue, follow Main Street and turn left on Lock Street. Signs note the former location of locks, and I believe you pass by a former locktender's house at 2.9.

3.0   Pass by a ball field on the right.

3.1   Reach a fork in the road. Continue to the left on Lock Street. The canal was to the right.

3.4   Ridge Road departs to the left. Continue on Lock Street.

3.5   Reach the base of former Inclined Plane #10 West, home of James E. Lee Jr. It is visible from beside the creek. Continue along the road.

3.6   Cross the creek on a bridge. Continue on Lock Street. A driveway ascending to the right is the original inclined plane prior to the installation of the later Scotch Turbine powered plane just to the south. Continue on the road.

3.7   Pass the last house on the right. It is now possible to bushwhack onto the canal or towpath, but it can be very thick and weedy, so following the road directly parallel may be easier.

3.9   A woods road intersects with Lock Street on the left. The canal continues straight where Lock Street goes left. Continue on the canal.

4.00 Reach Rt 22. This is a four lane highway with fast.moving traffic. While it is possible to dash across all four lanes, it is advised that you walk 0.7 miles to walk to the right/east along Rt 22 to cross at the nearest traffic light. My mileage will continue as if Rt 22 were not in the way.

Section Two: State Route 22 to Bread Lock Park

Access: The west end of the section ends at State Route 22.Parking on this highway is not recommended. Limited parking may be available on the shoulder of Lock Street. At the east end, parking is available at Break Lock Park. Bread Lock Park is located at mile marker 4 on Route 57 in New Village, NJ. The driveway is just east of the red barn that sits directly on the highway.

4.0   Canal is obscured by State Route 22. This is a four lane highway with fast moving traffic. While it is possible to dash across all four lanes, it is advised that you walk 0.7 miles to walk to the right/east along Rt 22 to cross at the nearest traffic light. My mileage will continue as if Rt 22 were not in the way. On the east side of Rt 22, the canal is within a line of trees with a field to the north. The canal is somewhat overgrown, but it is possible to walk in the prism. Continue.

4.2   The canal becomes more clear, and soon the towpath does as well.

4.4   The canal and towpath both become clear, then cross Stryker's Road.The canal and towpath remain clear on the other side.

4.5   Reach the site of a former aqueduct. Only the abutments remain. To the right/south from the canal is a small strip mall where food can be purchased. It will be a wet crossing, and on the opposite side the towpath can be rather overgrown.

4.9   Closely parallel Rt 519 and then cross it at the site of former Inclined Plane #9 West.

5.0   Begin the ascend of Inclined Plane #9 West. This was one of the few double tracked inclined planes on the canal.

5.2   To the left/north is the site of the turbine chamber and penstock. Soon, pass the Lee Canal museum on the left, open periodically.

5.3   After walking around the garage and up hill, reach the top of the inclined plane and end of the mowed yard. There are still sleeper stones and some tow wire in place. Enter a break in the trees following the canal with field to the north and line of trees to the south. Much of the canal in this section has been plowed in and so only the line of trees remain.

5.6   Reach another line of trees at the end of the field. Ahead are new homes.Turn right through an overgrown former field break and follow the canal on the opposite side with fields now to the south and line of trees and canal prism to the north.

6.2   The canal turns away from the edge of the field. Be sure to take notice for this spot as land owners ahead do not want anyone trespassing.The brush can be heavy at times on this section.

6.4   The canal will parallel a yard to the south with old farm equipment on display. Soon reach North Main Street (Stewartsville) and cross. It is 0.2 miles ahead to a former aqueduct site over Merrill Creek, but it lies on private land. The creek is small and easy to cross, and the former Morris and Essex Lackawanna Railroad bridge is just up stream. Legally, hikers should turn left on North Main Street for 0.11 miles and turn right on Warren Street.

6.6   Turn right on Prospect Street. At about mile 6.5, a line of trees to the east is visible. This is the former Inclined Plane #8 West. It is on private land now, and what remains of the turbine and penstock is unknown at this time, however Jim Lee Jr. recalls the tail race tunnel being accessable when he was a child.

6.7   Reach Rt 57. Turn right. Pass a shop that sells odd random items.

7.0   The former canal approaches and parallels Rt 57 immediately to the right. A house now sits at what was once the top of Plane #8 West.

7.2   Pass Richline Hill Road. A brown Morris Canal marker sign denotes where it once crossed this road.

7.3   The paved surface of Rt 57 changes from asphalt to concrete. This is known as "The Concrete Mile", the first concrete mile of highway in the US. Edison's cement plant was in nearby Stewartsville. The canal turned a bit to the south, and has been farmed out of existence here, so it is not visible from the highway.

7.6   Pass an old barn converted for a business on the right.

7.7   A line of trees comes up the highway on the right near a house. Behind it the canal is in a line of trees, but is inaccessible.

8.2   Reach an old barn on the right. This is part of Bread Lock Park, a Warren County park. Here, fresh bread was sold at a store and locktender's house. Turn right around the barns and head to the canal prism straight ahead.The foundation of the locktender's house and ruins of the former lock walls are visible here.

Section Three: Bread Lock Park to Meadow Breeze Park

Access: Parking is available at Bread Lock Park. Bread Lock Park is located at mile marker 4 on Route 57 in New Village, NJ. The driveway is just east of the red barn that sits directly on the highway. At the east end, ample parking is available in Washington’s Meadow Breeze Park.

8.3   From the canal prism in Break Lock Park, continue on clear towpath. A house is in sight ahead. This is not private property, but rather a canal museum that is open certain times per month. Walk around the house and continue.

8.4   Reach the next section of the cleared undisturbed towpath. This section is well developed as a trail complete with bridges. A loop hike can be done by following a parcourse circuit to the right.

8.6   Reach Rt 57. The canal crossed Rt 57 here. An underground utility now crosses the highway at the site, but does not follow the canal right of way. Ahead, the canal lies on private property. It would be just over a half mile walking on this section to Montana Road, but besides being on private land, it is very overgrown. Old house ruins also exist in close proximity to the canal. Hikers will have to continue along Rt 57 through New Village, a charming community with many old stone homes.

9.1   Montana Road is on the left. It is about 0.2 miles up this road to where the canal crossed, but ahead it is still on private land, so it is best to continue on Rt 57. Pass Sebastianos Bar and Grill on the right and continue.

9.4   Pass Rossini's Market on the right, a small grocery store. Go inside and try Lehigh Valley Farms Chocolate Milk. It's some of the best quality chocolate milk found only in eastern PA and northwest NJ.

9.7   Pass Common Sense for Animals on the left. Beyond here, the canal is visible from the highway on private land. The landowners do not plan on developing the land and will preserve the canal, but do not welcome visitors. Please respect their privacy. Continuing on Rt 57, the canal will stay in view. Hikers will pass by farms and a few houses. This is one of the most monotonous sections to hike along the former canal route, but hopefully future acquisitions will open the canal route to public.

10.6   Pass Whites Road on the left. A 0.3 mile walk up Whites Road will show one of Warren County's most well preserved sections of the canal, on the farm of Mr. Carl Sigler who has kept it mowed back. The property also has the ruins of an old aqueduct. Mr. Sigler has no intention of destroying the former canal, and hopefully this will one day be part of the greenway, but for now please respect this private property and do not trespass. 

11.0   Pass Millbrook Road on the left, Asbury.Broadway Road on the right at a traffic light. The canal crossed Millbrook Road nearly a mile to the left. There are public pieces of the canal in this area, but some of them are landlocked and inaccessible currently. To continue, stay on Rt 57 passing through the village of Broadway.

11.6   Pass Villa Roller Rink on the right, then Halfway House Road on the left. The canal crossed Halfway House Road and can be seen, but is overgrown and much of it is private land. Unfortunately, it islogical to continue along Rt 57.The lineof trees which marks the site of the former canal is often visible from the highway.

12.6   Pass Warren County Vocational Technical School on the right, followed immediately by Warren County Community College.

13.0   Little Philadelphia Road is on the left. There are two routes you may take from this point.If you continue straight on Rt 57,turn left on Pleasant Valley Road, then left on Kayharts Lane. At mile 14.4 hikers would turn right into Meadow Breeze Park and access the next trail section of the canal.The other route involves turning left on Little Philadelphia Road. The road passes farm land on the right with homes on the left, and crosses the former canal at about 13.6 miles. Pass an intersection with Coleman Road at about 14 miles. Make the next right on Kayharts Lane and reach the former canal crossing at 14.4 miles, surprisingly about the same distance either way. While the Little Philadelphia Road option involves a bit of up hill walking, it may be a welcome alternative to the long distance along Rt 57.

14.4 The first several feet of the canal are fenced and there is a giant ditch separating the towpath from the road. Turn into the small parking area in Meadow Breeze Park and take the first path up to the towpath and proceed. This is a beautiful section.

Section Four: Meadow Breeze Park to Port Colden

Access: At the west end,ample parking is available in Washington’s Meadow Breeze Park. At the east end, parking is available on surface streets, and at the Port Colden School (when children are not present). Be sure not to block any driveways.

14.7 Reach Meadow Breeze Lane. The canal prism is filled in just before the road, and signs show it's route across Warren County. Beyond Meadow Breeze Lane, the canal is on private land, but a close by trail alternative exists.

14.8 Cross Roaring Rock Brook and then turn left on a paved pathway. To the left, near where the paved path turns right, an opening reveals a section of the creek. Upon closer inspection visitors will see the abutments to a former canal aqueduct. While the canal is somewhat overgrown but walkable from here to Brass Castle Road, it involves crossing private land and can be avoided following these directions.The paved path comes to an intersection. Turn right and soon skirt ball fields to the right. Head straight along the tree line.

15.1 Reach Midland Ave. The canal is hidden in a cut in the woods to the left. Turn right on Midland Ave, then left on Castle Street.

15.3 Come to Brass Castle Road and turn left.

15.5 The Canal crossed Brass Castle Road here.Turn right on Bowerstown Road which closely parallels the former canal route.

15.7 Reach Old Canal Road. At this point, Bowerstown Road is built on the former canal.This section has a nice sidewalk.

15.9 Reach Towpath Trail on the right. Despite this road's historic name, the canal actually continued ahead and is still covered by Bowerstown Road. Soon pass Foundry Lane on the right.

16.0 Pass Arbor Drive on the left. Soon, Old Bowerstown Road turns to the left at an angle. Take note of a single stone abutment on the left.In the canal days,Bowerstown Road followed the canal towpath, then departed by crossing the canal on a bridge here and paralleling it on the hillside to the left. Continue ahead on Bowerstown Road.

16.3 Old Bowerstown Road descends from the hillside on the left. To the left ahead is Plane Hill Road, built on the former canal's Inclined Plane #7 West. Note the house on the left has a rather odd wall in front. This wall is made from the sleeper stones that once cradled the rails of the inclined plane. Turn right on Plane Hill Road.

16.4 Cross the old Pohatcong Creek Aqueduct. This beautiful example of an original Morris Canal aqueduct can be viewed by following paths down either side. The Inclined Plane is the road straight ahead. Stone work from the plane functions will be visible on the right, as well as the quaint old plane tenders house. The original road is parallel with the current alignment in the woods to the left.

16.6   Partridge Run departs to the left. This is also the top of Inclined Plane #7West.The road is slightly offset here,and the canal would have been immediately parallel with it to the right.

16.8   Reach Kinnaman Avenue and turn right, with the entrance road to JCP&L to the left. Turn onto the entrance road and stay on the right side. A fence and gate appear, but there is room to follow the former canal in a narrow strip between the fence to the left and the houses and apartments to the right.

16.9   The fence turns to the left and a mowed area takes over the canal right of way. Continue paralleling a small line of trees to the right to North Lincoln Avenue. Cross and follow the former canal through an overgrown section of the prism.

17.2   Reach Belvidere Avenue. Note how this concrete road is paved oddly here.This is because there would have been a bridge over the canal at this point.Straight ahead,Warren Lumber is built over the canal.To continue,turn right.

17.4   Reach East Warren Street and turn left. Soon, reach Taylor Street. The canal once passed under the former Warren Railroad, part of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad which operated between Hampton NJ and Scranton PA from 1856 to 1955 when the first sections were abandoned. This section is now used as an industrial spur by Norfolk Southern. Some of the stones from the bridge abutments over the canal can still be seen in the vicinity. It is easy to climb the fill and cross the sporadically used tracks to the former canal on the other side where it is somewhat clear due to ATV use. This section leads to a small looping road with a few homes on it that once housed offices for both the Morris Canal and Lackawanna Railroad. The easiest paths over are by turning left on Taylor Street and then taking the path over to the canal and out to Rt 31,but this questionable section can be avoided by turning right on Taylor Street, then left on East Stewart Street to Jackson Avenue. Where Jackson Avenue turns right, a sidewalk continues straight ahead to State Route 31. Turn left under the underpass below Rt 31 to Myrtle Ave on the right. A safe crossing for Rt 31 is just south of the railroad underpass at the traffic light and Rt 57. For these purposes, the mileage given is from Taylor Street along the canal to Rt 31.

17.5 Former canal crossing of the Warren Railroad. Continue on ATV path, and follow the canal in the prism out to the dirt road loop.Keep totheleftof the loop to Rt 31.

17.7   Reach Rt 31 and cross onto Myrtle Ave, built along the old canal. Some of the prism is visible along the road to the right.

18.1   The canal becomes overgrown to the right. Soon, a path diverges along the canal towpath to the right. It can be somewhat overgrown.

18.2 Reach Flower Avenue. The canal ahead runs through many back yards. The canal can be paralleled by turning left on Flower Ave, then right on Harding to President Drive, but the section beyond lies on private land. While some of it is clear and would make an excellent trail, for now it is necessary to go back to Rt 57. Turn right on Flower Ave, then left on Rt 57.

18.9   Pass the entrance to Port Colden Mall on the left, where Pizza and Chinese food are available. Soon, Port Colden Road departs to the left.Follow Port Colden Road.

19.2   Turn left on Lock Street.

19.3 Lock Street makes a sharp turn to the right. Lock #6 West was nearby on the driveway ahead. The canal towpath west of here is beautiful, but still private. Take the sharp turn right parallel to the canal prism, still visible. Soon, reach Port Colden Road with the former canal store on the right. Old pictures show this with a barn style roof, but now it is flat.

19.4 Turn left briefly on Port Colden Road and then descend into the former canal basin, now the playground of Port Colden School. Follow the former canal on the height of the land to the left as it goes through a rather deep cut.

19.5 At a chain link fence, turn right and skirt it until a path leads down through the canal and then back up to Morris Canal Trail, a smallbackroad.Turn left,asthisroad follows the canal towpath.

19.6 The road becomes dirt and enters a lovely wooded section.

19.8 Pass an old canal turn basin and reach the base of former Inclined Plane #6 West. Ahead, the dirt road parallels the former inclined plane, which has a few houses built on it.

19.9 End of the road. Here, the canal enters private land once again. While it is undeveloped and would make an excellent trail, and there are landlocked public sections, for now this section must remain inaccessible. For these purposes, my mileage will continue as if it were possible to continue along the former canal route. The next section is mentioned only to promote interest in the greenway. To walk to the next section legally, you must turn around and walk back along the road to Port Colden Road. Turn left up a one way street to Route 57, then travel east on Rt. 57. Make a left on Port Murray Road to Brick Yard Road; total distance of 3.75 miles. To walk from here, skip ahead to mile 22.4.

Section Five: Port Colden to Port Murray

Access: At the west end in Port Colden, the Port Colden School has some space to park (when children are not present). Be sure not to block any driveways. At the eastern end,very limited parking is available at the canal crossing of Port Murray Road,but ample parking is available just south of the crossing in the Mansfield Township park.

20.3 From Morris Canal Trail in Port Colden, the former canal crosses a private driveway known as Domin Lane.

20.6   The canal leaves a wooded section and enters a field. Soon, it crosses Hart's Lane, a private driveway.

21.3 The canal passes by private residences.

21.7 The canal crosses Brickyard Road. Just to the east of here is the site of former Inclined Plane #5 West.The turbine chamber and tail race have been dug out in this area and will hopefully one day be an interpretive area demonstrating how the canal was constructed. From this point, the route described is again publicly accessable. Follow Brickyard Road to the right.

21.9 Brickyard Road crosses over the railroad tracks and turns sharply to the left. Soon pass some ball fields to the right.

22.4 Reach Port Murray Road. A short distance along Port Murray Road to the right is Mansfield Township Park, which has a short loop trail through fields and woods for those looking for a bit more of a hike in the area. The Point Mountain Reservation is also nearby. It is planned that eventually a trail connection may be made between the canal and these parks.

Section Six: Port Murray to Rockport

Access: Needs access info

22.4 To continue, turn left on Port Murray Road and cross over the Railroad tracks. Historic Port Murray railroad station is to the right. A sign near the bridge claims this to be the site of Plane 5, though it was actually a short distance to the west.

22.5 Pass Hoffman Road on the left. This road crossed the canal, but is one of the few that does not have an historical marker.The towpath in this section from Hoffman Road to Port Murray Road is lovely and clear, but still in private ownership, so for now it is necessary to walk Port Murray Road.

22.7 Reach the former canal store, where legend has it Ivory Soap earned it's slogan "Ivory Soap, It Floats". The canal is filled in here, but can be walked on a gravel driveway. Turn right on the driveway, and take note of a doorway in the store where goods could have been loaded directly onto canal boats.

22.9  A canal prism appears to the left of the towpath/driveway.

23.0 Pass a watered turn lagoon from the canal next to a private residence. Respect private property and do not trespass. Continue ahead on the towpath which is cleared and developed as a trail. Some sections are somewhat watered as well.

23.2 Due to private land ahead, a small bridge over the canal has been constructed, and a trail cleared out to Cherry Tree Bend Road.

23.2 Reach Cherry Tree Bend Road. Turn right. The canal will remain out of sight for a bit.

24.1 After a sharp bend, the canal comes into view to the right.

24.4 Come to the intersection of Cherry Tree Bend Road with Rockport Road. The canal is just to the right of both roads. Continue straight ahead on Rockport Road.

24.7 A cleared area is on the right of the road where a car can be parked.

25.0 Washburn Road intersects on the right. The canal once crossed here. Opposite,fields owned by the State Department of Fish, Game, and Wildlife allow for close walking to the towpath to the south.

25.2 Reach the end of the field. To the left, there is access to the towpath, but this may be on private property. There is in this vicinity the remains of a small aqueduct. While the canal ahead to Thomas Road would make a great trail,for now it may be prudent to backtrack to Washburn Road and follow the parallel Rockport Road. My mileage will continue as if this section continued through.

25.3 Reach Thomas Road across from Borealis Compounds. Turn left on Thomas Road, then right on Rockport Road. The canal went through a field to the right.

25.6   A rail spur to Borealis is in the woods to the right beyond the former site of the canal. Soon pass Blau Road on the right.

25.9   Just after a farm, Rockport Road turns slightly to the left, departing from it's close proximity to the canal briefly.When there are no longer buildings on the right, the canal is a short distance to the right in the woods.

26.2   There is a pull off on the right near an abandoned barn building. The canal may be on some state WMA property in this vicinity.

26.3   The canal crossed a field to the right, though it is unrecognizable. Just beyond here it passed between a few homes to reach Hazen Road in the hamlet of Rockport. It passed between an island of grass at this intersection.

26.4   Reach the western end of the Rockport State Game Farm property. A shoddy snow fence must be crossed to get to the towpath here. Until around 2005 there was a nice watered canal basin here, but it has since reverted to swamp. Continue on towpath skirting evergreens to the right. In the springtime, many geese nest here.

Section Seven: Rockport to Waterloo

Access: Needs access info

26.5    Reach the end of the former basin, then soon reach the access road to the upper section to Rockport Game Farm.A side trip around the fenced breeding grounds above rewards hikers with a nice view of Mansfield Township farmlands and is worth the trip. The next piece of the canal is unfortunately an out and back walk as homes have been built over much of it. Still, the nicely preserved section is worth the 0.2 mile walk out and back. It is possible to parallel the canal a bit further through more state land via fields, but would still be an out and back. It is necessary to turn right from the towpath before the first house and follow Rockport Road.

27.3  Pass Airport Road on the right. Continue ahead on Rockport Road, keeping eyes to the left for remnants of the canal in backyards.

28.0  Watch to the left as the canal begins to turn away from Rockport Road. Just past this spot, Allen Road intersects from the right. 

28.3  Reach the underpass of the former Morris and Essex Division of the Lackawanna Railroad. A dirt road turns off to the left and parallels the tracks above.Turn and follow the dirt road. 

28.3  Reach a driveway that comes from under the railroad tracks to the right and heads up hill to the left. Follow it left. 

28.6  Reach the former canal towpath near an old house. The section to the left is overgrown, while the section to the right is clear and open as a trail;the area is known as Florence Kuipers Park.The prism is in good shape, though not watered. The section ahead offers seasonal views of the Centenary College Dome in Hackettstown. There is one washed out area which now has a pedestrian bridge, however the remainder of the towpath is more or less intact. 

29.1  Apartments appear below the canal to the right.There will continue to be more developement near to the canal from this point. 

29.7  Reach the foundation of what was once a canal store on the right. Just past this spot is Harvey Street.From here,the canal is on private land and so it is necessary to turn left on Harvey Street, then immediately right on Roosevelt Ave. 

29.9  Reach Rt 46. Cross and turn right immediately onto Canal Lane, a road built on the former canal. 

30.0  The canal crosses a tributary. The aqueduct is still in place, but not visible to public. 

30.1  End of Canal Lane. Continue ahead on the clear towpath soon with apartment buildings above to the left.

30.4 Reach a playground near the end of a cul de sac. From here, the canal is somewhat overgrown, but would again make an excellent trail. Still, it is on private land and so the nearest road alternative would be from Rt 46, take Baldwin Drive, turn left on 5th Street, right on Hamilton Drive, and continue on Countryside Lane to Old Allamuchy Road. The distance in mileage between the road and canal are minor and variable depending on chosen route.There are other ways to cut down to the parallel roads without going back to Rt 46. My mileage will again continue as if private land did not block the way.

30.9 Reach Old Allamuchy Road. An aqueduct once existed just west of here, and the purged towpath will make it necessary to cross to the berm side of the canal if this section becomes opened as a trail. To continue, follow the towpath through a small wooded section with Cochran Funeral Home to the right.

31.0 Reach Rt 517. Ahead, the path leads to the parking lot of Towpath Apartments along the former canal route. Beyond the parking lot lies a beautiful section of the former canal, out to Bilby Road, but for now it may be necessary to turn left on Rt 517 and right on Bilby Road, .75 of a mile to the next canal section. The difference in distance is again minor. Again,I will continue my mileage as the trail followed the towpath.

31.1 End of Towpath Apartments Parking lot. The towpath enters the woods here.

31.7 The towpath becomes much more overgrown and obscure.

31.8 Apartments are in close proximity to the left just before reaching Bilby Road.Turn left on Bilby Road and enter the woods on a cleared section of towpath.

32.3 In this vicinity there is a break in the towpath due to a tributary washout. It is necessary to bushwhack the next section, which can be quite rough at times.

32.7 At roughly this location the canal crosses a dirt driveway and remains overgrown. It continues to cross yet another driveway. Ahead, park employees may be living in homes along the canal,and so to respect their privacy, follow this driveway to the right.

33.0    Reach Waterloo Road. Turn left here and pass the houses. You may notice in this vicinity there are teal diamond blazes on utility poles. The Highlands Trail, a long distance hiking trail which runs from Storm King Mountain in NY to Rieglesville PA, and one day all the way to the Susquehanna River in PA, is coaligned with the canal for much of this the next few miles. (For more information on the Highlands Trail: See Long Distance Trails). At the end of the fence, Highlands Trail blazes signal a left turn up hill to the former canal.

33.1   Reach the towpath after climbing some crude wooden steps and turn right on the trail. This section closely parallels Waterloo Road. Soon, watch out for a wire at around face level coming off a utility pole and somewhat blocking the trail. Also, pay attention to the lovely stone work on the berm side of the canal.

33.6   The trail comes out to Waterloo Road. Take care crossing, as cars move fast in this area. Follow the towpath to the right of the canal prism across the road. This section was once used as a swimming pool after the closing of the canal.

33.7   In plain view now is the former guard lock at Saxton Falls. Here, the Morris Canal entered the Musconetcong River and utilized the slack water rather than it's own trench. The lock has been filled in and the original dam replaced, but this still remains one of the nicer lock remains along the canal. Continue ahead along the trail which now follows the left edge of Saxton Lake.

34.1  The Highlands Trail blazes depart from the canal to the left through a meadow. A house once stood here but was torn down around 2007. It is possible to continue ahead on the towpath 0.15 miles, as it makes it's way on a berm into Saxton Lake, but it was purged making a through hike impossible except when frozen. Still, the walk out and back is worth it. To continue, follow the Highlands Trail blazes to Colony Road and turn right. Turn left on Sunrise Parkway, continuing to follow the Highlands Trail.

34.4 Reach Waterloo Road and turn right.

34.6 Come to a clearing on the right. This was the site of another lock. An abandoned building, reportedly in part a former lock-tender's house and later a restaurant, is ahead. Continue around the back of the building and head toward the woods parallel with the river.

35.0   Enter the woods and follow the towpath which is only a bit overgrown. Soon, more abandoned buildings appear, just to the right of the towpath.