Weekly Hike - Tacony Palmyra Bridge + Lower Northeast Philly

WEEKLY HIKE -
TACONY PALMYRA BRIDGE + LOWER NORTHEAST PHILLY
(6.75 Miles | 150 Feet of Elevation)

PLEASE NOTE - THIS HIKE IS A BRAND NEW HIKE AND MEETING POINT FOR ME/THE GROUP. PLEASE CHECK THE COMMENTS BETWEEN 6:30 and 6:45PM IN CASE I NEED TO ADJUST OUR MEETING LOCATION A BIT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GOING ON, LACK OF PARKING, ETC.

ALSO NOTE - THIS BRIDGE REGULARLY OPENS TO LET SHIPS PASS BY ON THE RIVER. I"LL CHECK THE SCHEDULED OPENINGS IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE HIKE AND WE'LL ADJUST OUR ROUTE IF THERE'S A PLANNED OPENING. SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GET ACROSS PART OF THE BRIDGE. ALSO NOTE - I HAVEN'T HIKED THIS BRIDGE IN 15+ YEARS - I'M HOPING BOTH SIDES, OR AT LEAST THE SOUTHERN SIDE WITH THE BETTER VIEWS, IS OPEN TO WALKERS - BUT WE WILL SEE.

DESCRIPTION
Join us for our weekly, weekday evening/night hike.

Unlike it's more majestic cousin the Ben Franklin, the Tacony Palmyra Bridge connecting Philadelphia and South Jersey is open to pedestrians 24 hours. We will hike along/through Disston Park in NE Philly and then cross the bridge. We will try to get to the base of the bridge on the NJ side and then we will turn around and cross back. As noted above, I'm hoping both pedestrian walkways are open, or at least the southern one facing the Philly skyline in the distance, is open to us, but we'll make do with whatever. After returning to the Philly side we'll wind our way down to the riverfront, through a small park, head NW, pass under I-95, and then wind our way through the neighborhoods of NE Philly before returning to our starting/end point. Planning on about 6.75 miles, but we'll adjust based on conditions and how things go speed/distance wise.

The Tacony Palmyra bridge was designed by Ralph Modjeski, engineer of the Manhattan Bridge and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and replaced the existing ferry service. Construction began in February 1928, and the bridge opened to traffic August 14, 1929. Total length from abutment to abutment is 3,659 feet and the bridge is 38 feet wide. Vertical clearance under main arch span at the center is 61 feet at high tide. Minimum vertical clearance under bascule span at high tide is approximately 54 feet

OBSTACLES | SPECIAL NOTES

• Treat this, as it is, like a city hike - expect typical/normal "urban" obstacles such as broken and uneven sidewalks, pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic, bicycle traffic, etc. Normal hiking gear works fine - though some people find sneakers or shoes with thicker soles easier for long distances on cement than their regular hiking boots. We will have a little bit here and there in parks and/or on trails but unless it's been raining heavily that day or a day or two before, should be fine
• Not much elevation on this hike besides the climb up and back up the bridge as we cross it twice.
• No other special notes or obstacles

PACE | DISTANCE | ELEVATION

• PACE - About 3.5 mph on this (which is our usual for "urban" hikes)
• Distance - About 6.75 miles +/- (6.75 is target)
• Elevation - 150 feet +/-

BASIC INFO

• DAY & DATE: Tuesday May 20th
• START TIME: 7:00PM (AND WE START ON TIME!)
• STARTING LOCATION: Christa Lewis Memorial Park
• Address: 6951 Keystone St, Philadelphia, PA 19135
• LENGTH: 6.75 Miles +/- (6.75 is target)
• ELEVATION: 150 Feet +/- (150 is target)
• SPEED: 3.0 to 3.5 Mph average
• END TIME: Target is 9:30 PM

GEAR:

• Hiking boots/shoes, trail runners, or sneakers okay for this. Keep in mind whatever you wear shouldn't be your "Sunday Best" nor something without good support. Some folks find sneakers or similar shoes better for long distance hiking/walking on sidewalks/pavement.
• Water
• Appropriate clothing - hats, rain jackets, etc. as needed
• A change of clothes and/or towel for after (at your discretion)
• Headlamps not necessary for this.
• I also advise people bring hiking bags - either to help store stuff and/or to keep your hands free so you grow accustomed to using one
• Snacks (as you see fit)
• Beer or other drink for before the hike.

PARKING

• Free parking on nearby city streets but please check and obey all posted traffic/parking signs.
• Factor in 5 minutes to find parking and walk to our gathering spot.
• Please do not leave valuables in or anything visible in your vehicle!

MEETING SPOT

• We will gather in Christa Lewis Memorial Park near the Tacony Septa Station and the intersection of Keystone Street and Disston Street in NE Philly. I'll post a comment with my outfit and upload a map with a pin on it to the event photos for our exact location once I arrive.

BATHROOMS

• No idea if there are public bathrooms available at the starting/end point - but I'll try to scope things out, and maybe ask one or two of the early arrivals to check, once we arrive.
• No planned bathroom stops on the hike but there are a few spots we'll swing by that are wooded if you need to go.

BREAKS

• No real "breaks" on the hike other than times to let people catch up, catch their breath and get some water and/or change gear & clothing a few times, and to take some photos here and there.

AFTERWARDS

• Afterwards if enough people are interested, we can go out nearby for a drink and/or some food - there's several good taverns and just a few minutes away.

CANCELLATIONS

• I do not cancel hikes for inclement weather. It must be dangerous conditions during the hike or dangerous travel conditions to/from for me to cancel. If I ever do need to cancel or postpone, I try to do so as early as possible.
• You may cancel at any time up to and including the start time of the hike. Cancellations without contacting me after the start of an event counts as a no-show. More than 3 no-shows will get you removed from the group. If something happens, I get it, reach out and just tell me after. I've been there - hungover, busy, etc. Just be polite, and brief, if you miss and forget to cancel.