A True River Trail

It's not often our area sees 4-6 inches of rain in a quick period without it being related to a tropical system.  It happened yesterday and quickly raised river and streams levels.  Even I was surprised as I started driving around.  I used the heavy rain to my advantage and went for an extended run.  My ability to avoid large puddles ended quickly when the route I was running went over a road that was now a creek crossing.  I always wonder what the people driving in the 48 degree downpour are wondering when they come across a flooded stream with a runner galloping through.  Though I should thank the drivers who all stopped before crossing the water so the spray from the tires would not hit me.  Not like I could have gotten any wetter, but it was in the first mile or so.  And yes, you shouldn't drive (or run) through moving water.  It was less than an inch high and maybe 20 feet.  We do creek crosses in runs up to my waist.  Think I can handle it.

I always love a good run in the rain.  Makes we want to stay out there even longer.  Then I started to realize later in the night just how high the water was getting in some of my not-so-local favorite spots.  You see, many trails in the area are located near water.  In fact the only ones I can think of that don't have that aspect are the ones that have a high elevation.  It's natural they follow the water.  Most trails follow railroad tracks built years ago which happened to use the same path as rivers.  That's because a river follows a path of least resistance which is also generally low in elevation and flat.  It's a perfect place for a path.  Except when you get a flash flood.

When I got up this morning I saw that the Blue Marsh Lake recreational area was closed.  That's not good.  That's just a lake.  There potentially go those plans for the weekend.  Then it was over to the news.  Believe me, I wasn't following much last night with hockey on for six hours.  I knew what was coming  once you could tell how bad the flooding was on the Schulykill.

Very first on the list was Manayunk.  Let's start by saying this isn't a place that has never seen flooding before.  It's situated close to the river, partly on an island, situated next to a canal and very low.  You almost have to expect a flood.  In fact part of the island I'm pretty sure is actually beneath the canal.  Main street isn't much higher.

Manayunk will clean up quickly.  The trails along the river might be another story.  Not only that but flooding was extensive up and down the trail.  Certain areas are higher off the water or not that close.  Other times you could throw a rock into it.  But Manayunk is different.  The trail goes from paved to crushed stone.  It weaves tightly through vegetation with little bridges over runoffs and the canal.  It even turns into a wooden bridge structure as you pass between Main St. and the canal.  It had to have taken a lot of water.




The good news is the bars and restaurants in the main part of town are open.  While this one was pretty bad they have seen and dealt with it before.  People were probably on the trails today even if they were probably at the very least muddy.  If not, they will be over the weekend.  Maybe I will too.