While only about a half of a mile, it was rough riding on 26"x2" tires, due to logging that was done in the woods beside the trail. If you've never rode, ran, or walked the Thun Trail, give it a try. Can't think of anything negative to say about it at all. We did this ride on 07/27/2011. The Upper Schuylkill River flows east-southeast from its headwaters near the small community of Tuscarora to its confluence with the Little Schuylkill River in Port Clinton. Update: Solar powered trail lighting was just installed in Reading near RACC, across the Bridge and up to the West Reading intersection. I was like a little kid in a candy store. 4. You may even see a freight train passing you along the way. You'll probably want to do it again. Username. Lots of areas/benches to stop and take a rest if you need it. Nice family trail. I think that a lot of effort is put into the trail and the organization that is in charge is doing an excellent job. Once we got downtown it was a bit better but even then it is a trail bike route here. I rode from landing ville to auburn and after jumping on the second section in auburn the trail ends and I could not find the next trail head. This is a very nice trail ,I have biked this trail at least 5-times from Birdsboro to Pottstown, You can stop at Tim's Ugly mug, about 4 miles west of Birdsboro for food & drinks. Please note: Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street and LVH-S. Jackson Street each has their own portal. A signed, on-road route guides users through a 4-mile gap between Gibraltar and Birdsboro. The rural nature of the trail abruptly ends after crossing the border into Montgomery County. Rowing races made that area congested, nice trail to relax and enjoy a slower ride and take in the sights. Very urban here - parking at this spot is iffy and the only real option is an abandoned parking lot at the bottom of a dilapidated neighborhood. The Reading trailhead has a parking lot off South Front Street. This site promotes the rails-to-trails conservancy which attempts to raise money for these types of trails. I hope they will complete more of the trail in the near future. For me, the highlight of the ride was the view of the river. If you do not already have an account, now is a great time to request one. The first time I tried to ride all the way from VF to the Art Museum, I found a nice isolated paved trail all the way to the border of Philadelphia, just as the pictures depicted. We just road this section of trail on monday December 20 2010 it was 25 degrees outside and we still had a great time on this trail. Had a great time on this trail. There is at least one other website devoted to just this cause. After crossing Fillmore St, there's a pretty steep downhill--not surprising, since you're essentially going from the high point in town to the low point in about a mile. But we just rode it again for the second time this year and sadly I have to down grade my rating. I read that they converted a lot of railroad tracks to a trail on the Schuylkill River. After we unloaded we headed out a trail from the parking lot, while somewhat narrow it still seemed nice. After passing behind a nearby residential neighborhood, the trail turns through the woods to the Union Twp. This kind of behaviour does not reflect well on our area. Make a right at the traffic light and then a left at the next traffic light. We usually ride at a pace of around 11-12mph (which would be slower if we had larger tires or heavier bikes like cruisers or mountain bikes). This underdeveloped trail, mostly untouched by man, offers a nature walk for visitors. Note I said views of the river: the trail meanders delightfully along the valley but far, far above the river, and not only would it be a steep scramble to get down to it, most of the trail is private land on both sides and signs request one to be polite and not trespass. View the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony Rec. We shout "passing on your left" or something - anything - to let them know we're going to pass. Use mile markers in Philadelphia, as well as in Montgomery County. Just beyond the bridge over the Schuylkill River there is also another option to your left along a park and the river. Spring Garden street has bike lanes on both sides of the four-to-six lane road. It has 2,160 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. My husband and I started on the trail a bit above Oaks, we hoped to ride to Philadelphia. There are historic markers and remnants of the original locks. All macadam, and less busy then the lower end. Caution is advised at this crossing, as well as a second about a mile to the southeast. In addition to linking several local parks and recreation areas, the trail also forms the backbone of the region's burgeoning trail network, with more extensions planned in the near future. When I got back to the parking lot and talked to a local I found out about a detour where I could have done the whole trail but it was to late in the day. The SVRG is not supported by the local community, and does not show signs of advancement opportunities. This school fails to maintain a safe environment for the students and staff. Not to stir the pot, but to help others avoid confusion, I have made three round trips through Birdsboro just this week alone. Once you leave the tow path in Manayunk, it sort of tosses you into the street, which is crowded, so take the sidewalks, giving care for pedestrian traffic. This segment replaces a very hilly and high traffic road connection. Rode it for the first time the other day. Once you hit the Fairmount Park area, relatively decent trail surface, but expect heavy traffic all the way to what is now the end of the trail in Philadelphia. The trail is mainly level with little ascents. There is a lots of shade and it is a flat ride. I started at the Oaks trailhead and made it to the art museum in Phila. And please! I love this trail for many reasons. A 5.8-mile section beginning in Birdsboro is on road. get rid of those cobblestones at the old Shawmont train station. Supplies Needed for the 2023-2024 School Year, Calendar Approved for the 2023-2024 School Year, Viewing Grades and Student Information in Sapphire, Schuylkill Valley Middle School is a "School to Watch". The trail's current length is about 4.5 miles starting near Angelica Lake in Reading and proceeding as far as Gilbraltar. Transported my bike on the Amtrak bus from Philly to Reading and then rode the SRT back to Philly, staying the night at the Doberstein Campsite. Today my husband and I just completed a round trip ride- Birdsboro to Pottstown. There had been a few drainage issues when the trail was first opened but they apparently have all been remedied. As we rode we exchanged comments w/two other groups of riders who too were annoyed by the lack of respect by the horse riders of the motto, sharing the trail. I was really excited. This is a very nice run. It's only about 2 miles long, but an important segment linking downtown Phoenixville to the Crombly Rd trailhead seems about 95% complete. Rode it for the first time in August 2014 and will be back! If you do not already have an account, now is a great time to request one. You can see the trail on the satellite view of the Thun section of the SRT. My only complaint is it needs to be extended past the 6 miles. I will start from the Betzwood Bridge, at the border of Valley Forge NHP. I sometimes ride that rather than Schuylkill Road -- it's a trade-off of smoother paving for more sun! More often than not, winds blow from the west, which means if we plan a round-trip ride from Betzwood to Philly and back, we're going to get a head wind on the return trip--ouch. From the lush, remote forests of Schuylkill County, to the rural farmlands of Berks County, to the more suburban Montgomery and Chester counties and finally heavily urban Philadelphia, as well as smaller cities Reading and Pottstown and numerous towns along the route, the trail offers users a microcosm of Pennsylvania. The Upper Schuylkill River watershed is in central Schuylkill County, Pa. and encompasses many communities that include Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven, and Port Clinton. It is trivial to go 20 mph without breaking a sweat. The fact that dense vegetation obscures views of the river in most locations is another disappointment. Data Sources Academics B+ Diversity B minus Teachers A minus College Prep B Clubs & Activities A minus Administration B+ View Full Report Card Schuylkill Valley School District is an above average, public school district located in LEESPORT, PA. You leave from either my house in Chesterbrook or Valley Forge National Park and head southeast on the Schuylkill River Trail. This is not a great section of trail but when it is done on both ends it will be a great addition to the Schuylkill River Trail. Parkland School District. This is where it's gets a little tricky. Between Norristown and Spring Mill, there are three abandoned RR track crossings, with the trail set up for a 90 degree crossing, and rubber cushions. One proposal is to continue the trail eastbound on the abandoned rail bed past Port Royal Avenue, across the river at Manayunk, down the south side, and back across at the east end of Manayunk. Start by Cabella's. There quite a few runners, hikers and bikers on the trail. We love how well-kept the trail is but the speed merchants make it difficult to ride especially on the weekends! The trail is wide at the southern end, near Hamburg, and easy to move around walkers, joggers and dogs. There is so much beauty and history to see. While there are still a couple of missing links (see suggestion #3 below), a ride from Valley Forge to Philadelphia and back is easily feasible, provided one is in shape to ride that far. Click here for browser requirements. It feels like you are on rumble strips! Subtle improvements in the trail in 2012 make it safer for the whole family. This page is not available in other languages. You'll be glad you did. Converting the sidewalk on Main Street to a shared bike path is also part of this plan. Started at the trail end near Phoenixville did 11 miles towards Oaks. To stay on the Schuylkill River Trail, head west toward Phoenixville on a mostly crushed-stone section. The trail has recently been completed with the addition of a steel and concrete bridge and additional asphalt. My husband and I do the trail as often as we can. I rode both the Pottstown to Birdsboro-Armorcast Rd. I departed from Main Street Manayunk and headed west. The first eight miles is one of the best that I have been on. Someone galloped their horse there and now the trail is way too bumpy for a bike ride. I've almost hit kids because parents bring their 2 year olds up there on a BigWheel. Then you are in Fairmont Park, all macadam, and much more traffic, both pedestrian and bicycle. Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents. Will try to ski or run the portion above Auburn and post pictures of this end. I usually start where the parking lot is on pawlings or on station and I walk towards oaks near mill road. After the SEPTA bus station follow RIDGE AVENUE straight into East Falls. There is no access to the river from this trail, nor is there a way to get across the river to visit this Port Clinton. There is a trailhead parking lot. The surface was nice and smooth; very few ruts or problems. Wow, what a difference! However if there are accidents that leave people bloody and in need of an emergency room tax dollars and donation support for this will dry up. will definitely make this a favorite of ours for weekend rides. Fix it. Back in late June I did this trail from Spring City at Old Schuylkill rd to Phoenixville at Township line rd where there is a new Trail Head and a great parking lot that looks like it has a lot of shade. Rode into Pottstown River Front Park. A pedestrian bridge to connect both sections of trail is scheduled to open in 2020. While I would rate this trail four stars out of five, which isn't bad, my suggestions for improving it are as follows: 1. There is no way to get to Auburn until they finish the trail on the closed railroad bridge, you can however get to Port Clinton. The trail is in dire need of TLC and it has been like this for at least 2 months if not longer. Horseback riding, fishing, biking, hunting and hiking are all available to visitors. Have fun out there. Sorry, for plugging my own town. I skiid all 6 miles of the trail the second time on a warm day and on very soft snow. Took the mountain bikes out tonight from the Pottstown trailhead to the 724 crossing near Shed Rd. The entire trail's in great shape. Leaving Pottstowns Riverfront Park as a paved trail, it switches to crushed stone entering Berks County. Best Schuylkill Haven schools listed by Schuylkill Haven school districts. For the majority of the run the Thun Trail is the right of way of the former Pennsylvania Railroad's Schuylkill Branch, and you actually ride over original railroad bridges. It is exactly a 6 mile trip to the closed RR bridge crossing the river. There are sections of the trail that have to be ridden standing because they feel like, as I heard someone describe it accurately, "rumble strips". He did tell me that there is a very big climb going and coming back though. Serving Eastern and Central PA, Schuylkill Valley Sports is a full-service sporting goods retailer and team athletic dealer. Discrimination against those not involved in athletics is. Just wish the trail was longer. Good in-shape cyclists (I'm not one of them) can go to the left on Shawmont and shortly make an exterme right turn and an exterme hill climb onto Umbria St. More like 6. No Announcements. Stay safe my friends. Construction is expected to be complete by spring 2024. Posted 1 month ago @ 2:41PM of students agree that they feel safe at their school. Login. East of Ridgewood (where users are urged to use caution while crossing busy Route 724), the trail enters the countryside of southern Berks County. Map notes: As of this writing the map on this site shows the trail open north from the Basin parking area all the way to Auburn/Market Street. Our ride was a total of 53 miles. Our only caution about this trail is that it is not one for young children to bike on as the drop off is quite steep in some areas and there are no fences. No review of the trail would be complete without mentioning the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk segment, which extends over the river itself in Center City Philadelphia. T. Barron. The trail connects to Martin Luther King blvd in Phila. The trail is quite level, and there will be walkers, recreational bicyclists, and speed bicyclists encountered. My speed dramatically decreased to about 9 miles per hour. Even though we started early the path was very crowed with people so you must be prepared to pay attention most of the time. It is family friendly and because of its short distance and not much of a grade it would be a great trail for a young family. we did 20 miles and even though it was 90 degrees we know in the fall we will be using this trail a lot. This is the reason for a 4 star rating. In the fall I will come back and do the whole trail on a nice cool fall day. MTBs may like it, but this newbie cruiser thought it was downright dangerous. I did the stretch South from the Penn Avenue Bridge in Reading to Birdsboro. The trail takes you along the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill Canal in Manayunk. Also would like signs posted on the trail for dog walkers to clean up after their animals. Most of the trail was in shade which was welcome in the heat. You will sign up for the patient portal based on the hospital campus you received care. of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. Within the Reading city limits. Valley Forge park is really historic. Keep in mind there is some double track as you approach Reading but my handcyclist friend said it wasnt too bad. I have found so many different descriptions of this trail. I know this trail section would get a lot more use by riders and runners alike, if it was paved. Nice packed gravel trail. This is a really nice trail. Right from the get go we bumped along the horse "pot holes" for at least half of the ride. Recommended, if you need a break, Manayunk has a lot of eateries. The map shows a continuous trail from auburn to Hamburg. Some of the other trails are Lincoln Drive,Cynwyd,Pencyoyd and Wissahickon Valley Park. The City of Philadelphia is working on easements to solve this problem and until a bridge is constructed, one cannot connect directly with Bartram's Gardens. Because states implement these tests differently, use caution when comparing this data to data from another state. Replace the gates at highway crossings with bollards. This trail has a lot to offer, a great surface, Mile Markers every half mile, Park benches, a great canopy and great scenery. Nice signs along the way that tell a lot about the railroad, development of the trail, and towns surrounding the trail. This road does not have a street sign so we asked a local who pointed us in the right direction. For now though, it is better than nothing, and if I can get a thousand people a day to ride it, maybe two grooves could be cut for a safer smoother ride! With fallen leaves, running down the trail with us in the breeze, it was quite magical! Back on the trail, the route arrives in Reading after crossing the Schuylkill River three times. I love this trail. Make a right on Sixth St. that has a bike lane all the way down to the Mall and the Hall. If I am not mistaken, you can probably run into Hamburg, cross the river to you hit the "Steel something or other" trail head, then make a left and follow the trail signs to the rail yard museum. ", "If you are familiar with the Thun Trail from Reading to Gibraltar and want a longer ride, consider riding Old River Road (it will cross and return to 724 just before Birdsboro). In Conshohocken, a new housing development was built, also requiring rerouting of the trail. Stay on RIDGE AVENUE and pass the traffic light at SCHOOL HOUSE LANE. Cars seem to have the right of way wherever the path crosses, so beware. Although only 18 miles long, the multi-use trail takes users through a diverse array of environments. 111 followers 112 connections Join to view profile Schuylkill Valley Elementary School Albright College Experience Schuylkill Valley Elementary School 9 years 7 months 3rd Grade Teacher-. We had a good time on the trail. Those of you in fear for your life, stop watching so much tv. It's different, but in some ways that's good. Armorcast Road in Birdsboro. Most of the trail follows old rail corridors or canal towpaths, ensuring a level trip with few slopes, as well as numerous reminders of the river's history as a major transportation route, a roll that can still be seen today by its close proximity to major highways like Routes 61, 422 and I-76 and active rail lines that freight trains often rumble along. In addition to bringing the Schuylkill River's status as a transportation corridor into the 21st century by connecting numerous towns and cities, the trail has also helped revitalize the economy of a region that was hard hit by the decline of steel, coal mining and other heavy industries in the last few decades. Westbound cyclists still face a climb when leaving the main part of Conshy, but nothing like it used to be. Lots of birds to see even at this time of year. Had they reversed the paved and stoned pieces, they'd have been fine. It celebrates a Junior and Senior with at least a 3.25 GPA who are also involved in activities. We will be back soon. Support our mission. This is a great trail. 5 seek 3 seats for Schuylkill Valley School Board 2021-05-13 - . The trail has also been reconstructed and rerouted through the Norristown Transportation Station. and some color still on the trees, we enjoyed a great ride. The Thun Trail ends in downtown Reading just north of Penn Ave. From there the paved path ends and continues as singletrack cinder/stones for a block along the railroad tracks until you reach a paved section that takes you into the woods and you follow the Schuylkill Canal and River. Art Museum, but would it be too much to ask for you to stop when you see a pedestrian crossing?! However, we are all guilty of being inconsiderate at some point so if you happen upon a user(s) who is not sharing appropriately, instead of yelling please calmly explain to the user(s) how the trail should be used appropriately in consideration of others. ", "The Thun Trail has a well packed crushed stone surface, making this a great trail for kids and groups. In my older years, I got into biking again. Data Sources Academics B+ Diversity B Teachers A Schuylkill Valley Elementary School is an above average, public school located in LEESPORT, PA. Transition areas of the trail need some work, but over-all not bad. 2,853 were here. I had to wait for my second ski run another 2 weeks until the second 16" of snow was melted enough to make the Hamburg lot remotely passable. Compare Schuylkill Valley Middle School to Other Schools schuylkillvalley.org More Announcements. Though largely wooded, the section from Poplar Neck to Route 724 in Ridgewood also passes a power plant, an abandoned landfill, incinerator and a quarry, all attesting to the river corridor's industrial past. Typical information available through Sapphire Community Portal includes student schedule, current grades, homework assignments, attendance, building announcements, and links to external web sites approved by the teacher. of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. Not true. There's just an uncomfortable feel to the trail which is a real shame as it's a nice level, smooth, trail with some scenic sights along it. . South of Birdsboro the trail continues on crushed stone until you near Pottstown. Thanks. For what it's worth, the shoulders on Route 724 are fairly wide and quite smoothly paved from said Turkey Hill up to at least where Schuylkill Road crosses 724 above town and becomes Old River Road. I live in the area, and often ride from Wyomissing home with my girlfriend on this trail. Also, the coarse, strewn brick & rock surface from the Schuylkill River Rail bridge into Reading has just been surfaced with macadam. Our favorite times to ride are from mid-June through mid-July when the white rhododendrons are blooming along the trail and in the fall when the weather is cool and the autumn colors make the ride extra special. This is no longer a problem. Though not as high as the trestles at Poplar Neck, the remote location of this bridge makes it a great place to stop and enjoy nature. No idea if you can start at Auburn and ride south to the other end of the bridge, but you cannot legally cross the long, high, unrenovated bridge. At a regular public meeting on Thursday, May 25, 2023, the Williams Valley School District's Board of Directors approved a proposed final General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. Not cool for a road bike. There is a detour from the route along Kelly Drive just north of the park, this isn't the safest detour as it crosses busy on/off ramps. I have traveled, and I can say this is a wonderful addition to Berks County. 10 not far from Alvernia University. We're new bikers and are enjoying the rail to trails. Immediately north of that section there is a section on planks that will rattle your teeth loose, then there is a gravel/dirt section that tends to be muddy. This trail is family friendly and ok for a cross over bike. Welcome to the Mid Valley School District Community Portal for the 2022-2023 School Year! A great trail; gentle grade, nice surface. One suggestion for this ride, bring water, it's 50/50 shade vs. sun.Ride on and remember, leave only tire tracks.". he southern trailhead at Bartrams Garden off South 56th Street. Sapphire Software is an internet based, state-of-the-art administrative tool designed by K12 Systems. lets all try and keep it a nice place for everyone. According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. This makes accessing Philadelphia from the north using this trail unsuitable, (or at least very intimidating) for novice/casual riders. About 4 miles north of Norristown, youll arrive at Valley Forge National Historical Park, the winter encampment of the Continental Army in 177778. The Stony Creek Valley was originally settled in 1824 after the discovery of coal and due to the availability of fresh waters from Cold Springs. Even going through Conshohocken is a nice site. Username Password You have to continue on this road and make a left on SHAWMONT AVE. and then a quick right on to MINERVA STREET/UMBRIA STEET. It is labeled Schuylkill River Trail - zoom in to see better. In the past, I wrote a post about pot holes in the trail. of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. along with vandalism in parts of Reading and the fact that some of the remaining gaps in the trail are not easily detoured, prevents me from giving the trail a 4 or 5 star rating. There are short sections of pavement in areas where it is needed most, but a couple more wouldn't hurt either. This renders the trail undesirable as a commuting route. A fantastic 12-mile, round-trip ride. Is yielding to horses a guideline or a rule? A 20-mile gap between Reading and Hamburg must be navigated by following a signed on-road route. For obvious reasons, parking at trail heads is hard to find, and the bike path along Kelly Drive becomes a human obstacle course. Lighting throughout the trail would make it feel safer! Comments (-1) Schuylkill . This network of routes that cyclists like to use is generally referred to as the "Schuylkill River Trail" today, even though presently it isn't 100 per cent trail. I had one bike reck in Fairmont Park due to a small child cutting me off, I was fine and it was all good. There is a short spur trail, the Schuylkill Highlands Trail. I tried going further and further from Oaks, and was totally surprised when I got to the street/dirt part because all the maps and all the (short) descriptions implied a paved/isolated trail all the way from Valley Forge to the Philly Art Museum. A regatta was taking place on the river as I got closer to the city. They have all varied in how long it is and where the trailheads are, so I decided to go up and find out for myself. Nearby SEPTA regional rail stations create an opportunity to travel by train. Oh yes the trail head at Township Line road dose have a port-a-potty. The trail abruptly departs from along the canal tow path into traffic for about a mile or so. It was a nice trail and we much enjoyed it but it is not 8 miles long. The on road bypass is no longer needed. It's mind-boggling how often you and somebody coming the other way meet at one of those gates, and somebody has to slow down or stop to yield. (Total distance of about one block.) The school supplies list for the Elementary and Middle Schools are available for the 2023-2024 school year. Be careful on this bike trail. Don't think we had that much more to go. Once you get to Valley Forge, take a walk through the visitor's center, which has interesting exhibits, nice cool air conditioning, and clean restrooms. GreatSchools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. I have walked every section of this trail many times, and there is nothing to be afraid of. If you dont use it, the Bb footer will slide up. We live in Berks County and CAN NOT WAIT for the trail in Berks to completly group up with the trails to Montgomery to ChesterDream Come True! I'm on this section of the SRT 4-5 times a week and always love it. . I too am not fond of "Horse Pot Holes" and agree aquestrians should be considerate in riding single file on sections of the trail that are too narrow for other users to pass safely. I don't understand what trail all these sites are describing but it sure isn't this one. Mile for mile it is one of the very best trails I have done. The view is magnificent. Enjoy! Manayunk can get a little tricky and you have to ride the Main Street. Heading into Pottstown you'll eventually be riding on asphalt, and some areas aren't shaded by the tree canopy, but it's super nice riding! Rode to where the fence is up at the curved railroad bridge (approx. There's a water fountain at the Water Works, where the museum is free and open to the public where the trail passes the Art Museum. The Game Commission converted the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad corridor into one of the nation's first rail trails. The SRTS maintenance crews are making their rounds and I am sure the sections that incurred erosion from the winter will be maintained in the near future. I decided to do a ride I dubbed the Liberty Bell Ride. Read the press release to learn more about this wonderful honor.

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