Metrotrails

05/31/2026

Metrotrails Then and Now Series: Historic early 1900s view of the Bear Mountain Bridge from present Rt 9W, with West Shore Railroad below, compared to the same scene on our 2023 hike.
The Bear Mountain Bridge was originally supposed to be a railroad bridge, where work started in the 1880s. Work had “progressed rapidly” on the footings to this bridge, but it stalled out and was never completed for it’s original intended use. Instead, the highway bridge was planned, and eventually completed in 1924.
At the time of it’s completion, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, a distinction it held for only 19 months, when that title was taken by the Ben Franklin Bridge between Philadelphia PA and Camden NJ.

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

This double culvert carries Route 191 and the Paradise Creek under the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad just north of Analomink in the Poconos.
The culvert replaced the Analomink High Bridge, a deck truss span just to the north, in 1911. The abutments to the older bridge still remain.

05/31/2026

The historic Gladstone Station on the former Peapack Gladstone Branch of the Delaware, Lackwanna, and Western Railroad. The line is still actively used by New Jersey Transit's commuter line with the same branch name.

05/31/2026

Spur line bridge in Boonton over the Rockaway River

05/31/2026

Lehigh Drive, formerly the Lackawanna Railroad main line, north of Gouldsboro PA.

05/31/2026

Former Pennsylvania Railroad bed near New Boston/Morea PA

05/31/2026

Former Pennsylvania Railroad, Mill Creek gorge near New Boston/Morea PA

05/31/2026

Northbound Taconic State Parkway seen from Teatown-Kitchewan Trail in Westchester Co NY

05/31/2026

Angry tree along the Teatown-Kitchewan Trail in NY DEP lands near Croton Reservoir NY.