Bartram Trail ~ Schuylkill River Trail

Bartram Trail at Hamburg PA ~ Schuylkill River Trail
0n April 14, 2013 we rode the Bartram Trail which is part of the Schuylkill River Trail system. The official web site says that you can travel from Hamburg to Auburn, however, on this bike ride we encountered a barrier where the trail crosses the Schuylkill River, just south of Auburn. The barrier has been there awhile and is fronted by picnic tables.
Schuylkill River Trail

Bartram Trail Parking Lot
To access this parking lot from Rt 61, turn onto Jetson drive (runs along the south side of the Burger King), at Industrial drive turn right, turn left onto Kernsville Dam Rd. The only bathroom facility is the portable potty in this parking lot.
Kernsville Desilting Basin Trailhead
We started at the Kernsville trailhead and this part of the trail is relatively flat. Further along there is a slight upgrade.
The trail is raised above the srrounding terrain and passes behind a shopping and restaurant area and under Rt. 61
Mileage Markers
Trail Bridge
Rock Formation
Uplifted Rock
The horizontal rock layer was once part of the ocean floor. The vertical layer was once horizontal but was tilted vertical by forces in the earths crust.
Railroad Station
Port Clinton This railyard in Port Clinton was built in the 1990's to replicate stations of the past and houses offices of the privately held Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad.
Appalachian Trail South MarkerThree miles north of Hamburg we crossed the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail South Steps Up the Mountain
Appalachian Trail North Marker
Appalachian Trail North Steps
It's a steep descent to Port Clinton.
Trail, Railroad and River
North of Port Clinton the trail has a slightly steeper uphill grade.
Looking Back Down the Trail
Nearing the End of the Ride
View of the River at Trails End
Trail Barrier and Picnic Tables
The trail ends abruptly but this area is a good place to take a break before heading back down the mountain.