I've spent parts of the last 2 days on Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park. I practically live across the street from it, and have been meaning to do some walking over there for a while, but have been lazy.

Yesterday, I started at Lincoln Drive and walked up to just south of Mt. Airy Ave. The trail was a mess from Friday's rains, and there weren't as many people out as I thought there would be. But the weather was nice, and it was a good walk.

This morning, I started from the parking lot along Valley Green Rd. and walked up as far as the covered bridge near Thomas Mill Rd. Lots of people out and about...it was pretty cold, but the wind wasn't blowing too hard.

These are the times when I wish I owned a digital camera. Maybe for Xmas...

My goal is to eventually build up enough stamina to walk the entire length of Forbidden Drive...I'm not quite there yet, but soon...

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Well, I've done that entire walk once or twice, it's a long walk..
I've done Forbidden Drive countless times on a bicycle,
here's what Forbidden Drive was like last January,
similar brilliant sunshine.

















You may want to checkout the Yellow trail west from Rittenhouse Town-
It's a little rougher, but not bad, although there may be some washouts, I haven't checked.

I really like the view from higher up the valley, you see all the people and horses walking along Forbidden Drive as well. Because you see all the people on Forbidden Drive, you get a feeling of Wissahikon park as a well used urban park- somewhat different from walking along Forbidden Drive, where you usually feel like you're hiking on an isloated trail.
The upper trail can be windier, but it's usually a little sunnier and warmer during the winter.

Another underused trail is the yellow trail in the hill above Lincoln Drive. That runs from Saylor's Grove (the stoplight before Lincoln Drive heads into the Wissahickon gorge) down to Ridge Avenue/Gustine Lake on the east side of the gorge.

Hal

Thanks for the info, Hal.

Before I hit any of the other trails, I think I need to invest in a better pair of shoes.

Is there a place online where you can get a map of the trails in the park?

__________________
"If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor."--Rev. Horton Heat

It looks like you have to pay to get a map:

http://www.phila.gov/fairpark/recrea...ailsystem.html

If you find a free one anywhere, let me know!

Yeah, I saw that...not that $2 is a bad price, but free is even better.

__________________
"If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor."--Rev. Horton Heat

hmm, computer seems to have eaten my previous post about this...

There are 2 different maps that I've seen-

I'd posted the old, outdated map of the Wissahickon trails- the trail locations are correct, but the color of the blazes on the trees has changed...

The $2 map that I've seen is a 8.5" x 11" inch map that shows the general trail information.

There's a much more detailed topographic based map that's about
2' x 3' which includes lots of "points of interest" information.

The maps go to help support the friends of the Wissahickon- it's money well spent.

Hal

Saturday, I walked from Valley Green to the covered bridge again. I'm not sure if they had an event going on at Valley Green or what, but they actually had someone blocking the road at the upper parking lot. The lower lot is supposed to be for Valley Green Inn patrons and the handicapped, though I suspect it's used by regular park users who don't want to use the upper lot or drive over to Roxborough. A group of PWD employees were gathered at Wises Mill...not sure what was up there, either, but someone was in a bulldozer at the creek, and there were a few trucks on the road.

This morning, I walked from Valley Green down to Jannett Street. The trail was a mess in spots due to the rain, but there were still quite a few people out and about.

That leaves me with the section from Northwestern Ave. to the covered bridge to cover. I estimate that walking the full length will take 2-3 hours...I'm thinking I'll be up to it at the end of the year. We'll see...

__________________
"If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor."--Rev. Horton Heat

syca love the trail from Ridge Av. to Jannett St., just enough trees then straight to the diner, :lol:

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I have legalised robbery. Called it a belief
I have run with the money. And hid like a theif
I have re-written history. With my armies and my crooks
Invented memories. I did burn all the books
And I can still hear his laughter. And I can still hear his song
The mans too big. The mans too strong