We saw something sad today.

[Beth and Dave]

Today we decided to take some friends with us to hike the Hamilton/Pioneer trail loop near Millbrook at the DWG.  We were irritated to find the openings of the Hamilton and Pioneer trails were torn to bits and a muddy mess thanks to construction equipment. Then we saw why.  The Depue homestead, which stood for god knows how many years, is finally being razed.  I do understand the liability of having degraded houses on public parkland.  But it saddens us to see it being ripped apart and placed in chunks in dumpsters with no regard for any historical significance or any attempt to recycle or preserve salvageable portions of the homes.  Google Tocks Island or Pioneer trail and you will see my family wasn't alone in our fondness for the old property.  We at least were blessed to have captured some pictures of the area before destruction. Some of which we've posted on here.  Not sure why the park service suddenly got a hot nut for these houses after they sat dormant for years.  But they've done an awful job.  The area is a mess!

[njHiking.com]

This is certainly very sad to see. I hadn't heard about the structures being taken down. It might be connected to the powerline widening work - the line goes right thru Pioneer. (see "PSE&G Powerline Proposal Would Impact Delaware Water Gap, Appal...")

 

Thanks for the update, I'm going to add a note to our Millbrook Village and Van Campens Glen hike page (which already has an added note about Van Campens being closed since Irene...sigh.)

 

--Dawn

[Beth and Dave]

I'd heard about the power lines, but since we live a few counties south from DWG, I didn't know, that despite protest, the work had begun.  The whole thing is very upsetting.  It makes sense now that you mention it.  I guess the Hamilton/Pioneer trail opening will make a dandy right of way for the power company to defile the land.  I wonder since they closed Van Campens, if they'll just shut down the entire loop.  It makes me mad!
-Beth

njHiking.com said:

This is certainly very sad to see. I hadn't heard about the structures being taken down. It might be connected to the powerline widening work - the line goes right thru Pioneer. (see "PSE&G Powerline Proposal Would Impact Delaware Water Gap, Appal...")

 

Thanks for the update, I'm going to add a note to our Millbrook Village and Van Campens Glen hike page (which already has an added note about Van Campens being closed since Irene...sigh.)

 

--Dawn

[njHiking.com]

Not sure if they'll shut the loop, but as it stands now - with Pioneer torn up and not being able to complete the loop thru Van Campens - I don't think we'd bother to hike this route.

And if you look on the powerline impact map, it goes right thru 2 viewpoints on the AT. Very disappointing.

--Dawn

[Paul]

I'm not a fan of the new power lines, but to be fair, there are already transmission lines there (and the towers). They're talking about replacing the 'lattice' towers with monopoles, which could be seen as a net improvement. And frankly, the viewpoints are the result of the clearings for the towers (I don't know if there were viewpoints before the lines went up).

How much it actually impacts us as hikers is going to depend on how much they  tear up in order to do the new work- and how well they repair the area afterwards.