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Thursday, June 22, 1995 Page:
ran 1c june 21 Highlights on the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River
1Rapids — No. 9 railroad bridge, Masthope, Colang, Kunkel, Cedar, Shohola,
Stairstep, Mongaup, Butlers Rift and Mill Rift. The names will have a lot more
impact once you get the thrill of navigating them in canoe, raft or tube. The
Upper Delaware has 11 areas of rapid water between Hancock and Port Jervis,
most of them in southern portion of the area.
2. Slow water — Those placid pools between the rapids are the areas to
drift along and contemplate. No TV, no fax, no cellular phone, no “have a nice
day.” Just the pressure of being a small speck, floating downstream through
infinity.
3. The Zane Grey Museum and Roebling Bridge — The one-time residence of
Grey, novelist of the American West and an aqueduct that allowed the Delaware
& Hudson Canal and timber rafting to operate at the same time. Both are
located where the Lackawaxen River enters the Delaware and are administered by
the National Park Service.
4. Small towns — The shores of the Upper Delaware River have many charming
villages, byways and crossroads; the Historical Society of Equinuck, Pa. has
cultural programs every Sunday, with subjects including from the local mill,
herb remedies and American Indian culture. Callicoon and Narrowsburg have the
rich history of river hamlets. Sparrowbush has antique shops and scenic Hawk’s
Nest Drive.
5. History — There’s plenty here, from Minisink Battleground Park, New
York, the site of an American Indian defeat over pioneers and militia to
Historic Fort Delaware, a replica village just north of Narrowsburg. In Port
Jervis, see Fort Decker with its 18th century home.
6. The National Park Service — Curse the federal government up and down
but hug a park ranger. They’re friendly, informative, efficient and provide
some security to a wild area.
7. Grey Towers — The family home of James Wallace Pinchot and his son
Gifford, who was the first chief of the USDA-Forest Service. The home and 102
acres of forest, meadow and gardens is located near Milford, Pa.
8. High Point State Park — You can get a bigger high driving south on
Route 115 out of the Wyoming Valley, but how can you pass up the chance to be
on top of the entire state of New Jersey. The park (highest elevation: 1,803
feet) is in the northern reaches of the Garden State, a short hop from
Milford.
9. The Getting There — Traveling to the upper Delaware River can mean
passing through lot of tourist trap Poconos. Or a lot of Interstate 84. But
you can take secondary roads and zig and zag through some truly beautiful
Pocono Plateau landscape. Follow your nose (and map) on Route 502 east out of
Moosic or Route 307 out of Scranton. Take routes 690 and 590. Sure it will be
a longer drive, but the whole point of taking in the Upper Delaware River is
taking the time to enjoy.
— by Joe Butkiewicz