Delaware Water Gap
New Jersey Side
May 2000
The almost 70,000 acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is located
in New Jersey and Pennsylvania along approximately 40 miles of the 330 mile long Delaware River.
The Delaware River is one of the last large free-flowing rivers left in America
(not including Alaska) and is one of the last major rivers without any dams or control structures on its main stem.
This is one reason why over 100 miles of the Delaware River have been placed into,
and an additional 80 mile section is currently a candidate for,
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
We began our run in western New Jersey, at the last exit of Interstate 80 before crossing into Pennsylvania.
The Kittatinny Point visitors center is located there.
This is also where the Old Mine Road begins.
This road follows an aboriginal trail along the Delaware River believed to be 8,000 years old.
Some say it is the oldest commercial road on the North American continent.
The Dutch settlers used it in the 1600's to carry copper ore from rich mines
located near the Delaware Water Gap to Kingston, New York along this route
which in various forms is approximately 100 miles long.
The Old Mine Road was also used to transport troops and supplies during both
the French and Indian Wars and the Revolutionary War.
We saw plenty of dirt trails off of the paved Old Mine Road but unfortunately
many were chained off or had "authorizied vehicles only" signs posted.
We did not do too much wheeling this trip,
but the scenery was very nice and we had a great time.
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