Lehigh Gorge Trail ~ Tannery to Drakes Creek

Lehigh Gorge ~ Tannery to Drakes Creek
My favorite section of the Lehigh Gorge Trail is from the Tannery access to Drakes Creek and we biked it on May 5, 2013. This section is part of the D&L Trail system and is a 19.8 round trip ride.
Lehigh Gorge Trail Map.
As seen on the map there are three main parking areas for the Lehigh Gorge Trail. Glen Onoko in Jim Thorpe, Rockport and White Haven. There is a also small parking area at the Tannery access where we started our ride. Be advised that wildlife abounds on this trail. On our many rides we have seen deer, black bear, porcupine, black and rattlesnakes, chipmunks and skunk.

White Haven Diner
We started our day with a hearty breakfast at the White Haven Diner.
White Haven Diner Burger
If you come over lunch, I recommend trying their hamburgers, but bring your appetite because they are the size of a dinner plate!
Tannery Parking Lot
The parking area at the Tannery access is small and fills up quickly.
Tannery Access
The trail has a slight downgrade and is well maintained but at times becomes eroded. Be on the lookout for sudden ditches where the trail has washed out.
Rules
This trail can be busy at times and it's important to follow trail etiquette.
Waterfall
About 1/2 mile south of the Tannery is the first waterfall. In spring it is usually gushing but on this day it was not.
Foundations
Bridge Foundations at Hayes Creek 1.2 miles south of the Tannery
Lock Ruins
Be on the lookout for lock ruins. There are a number of them visible from the trail.
Rhododendron
Looking north you can see the rhododendron that lines much of the west side of the trail.
Picnic Tables
About 2 miles down the trail you will come to the first of many picnic tables. These are heavily used during the summer months and sharing with strangers is common.
Quartz Rock Hill
Across the trail from this picnic table is a hill that has been eroded by quartz rock hunters. If you visit on a sunny day it sparkles in the sun
Mud Run
4.7 miles down the trail you come to Mud Run and there is a path down to the river where Lock 22 once stood.
Locks Destroyed
In 1862 the locks and dams along the river were destroyed
Lock Ruins
Waterfall
This waterfall is 3/10s of a mile north of Rockport.
Overhanging Rock at Rockport
Rockport Stream
Rockport becomes a busy area during water release weekends, with crowds of rafters, raft trailers and buses parking alongside the trail.
Bridge to Rockport Parking Lot
Rockport Lower Parking Lot
There is additional parking uphill from this lot. During water release weekends you can not park in this area.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms here are the nicer of the two located along the trail in that they lack the swarms of gnats and mosquitos that often hang out in the Glen Onoko privy.
White Water Warning
Lukes Falls
This waterfall is a short distance south of Rockport.
Round Stone Structure
I find this structure intriguing and have no idea what purpose it served.
Round Stone Structure
Waterfall
This waterfall lies 1.5 miles south of Rockport. After a rainy stretch a number of waterfalls spring to life for a short time, but this is one that is usually flowing.
Mile Marker
A mile marker system is in place that shows this stretch of trail as a section of the larger trail system that runs down to Philadelphia, but not all sections are in place yet. Here we are 118 miles north of the start of that trail system.
Train Tunnel
The railroad through the Gorge is still in use and here it passes through a tunnel in the mountain across the river.
Trail Along The Lehigh River
Drakes CreekThere is a picnic table here to rest at before turning back.
At Drakes Creek Looking North

At Drakes Creek Looking South