I'm looking at satellite imagery on MapQuest of the Delaware River area north of Shawnee, and I was hoping someone could refresh my memory on landmarks that will help me locate both the Old Miller & Hagan sites. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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Rod, go to Shawnee on the Delaware resort. Then go up the River Road until you see Tocks Island. Right aftrer Tocks Island you will see a large parking lot and a building. It will say McDade Rec Trail(used to be the old water ski place next to the Sr Cabins). There is a boat ramp and parking lot to the right of the building. The McDade trail to the right of the boat ramp is the begining of Camp Miller and the Sr Cabins. You can also see the main road, lined with trees going into camp. The whole Jr Area Mess Hall and Pioneer Camp are all trees. The next open field going to the water is the end of the Pioneer camp. I have no idea about Hagen. Hope that helps. r, Bob
Thanks Lewis. We found it. Are those Maple trees? - 2013_04_28 - Old Miller - View In from Driveway 1
Lewis Peter Nagel said:
Quite simple for the Miller camp,
Look for the two rows of Maple trees bordering the road in to the camp.
Below is a link to a website called "Delaware River Recreation" which has simple, useful maps identifying islands and features around the old river camp sites.
The map segment shown in this link identifies Tocks Island at the bottom of the page, which I assume would have been the approximate site of the Tocks Island Dam Project. The proposed dam was to flood part of the river valley upstream, including the Camps Miller, Ministerium, and Hagan sites. It was ultimately not to be.
Buttons labled "upstream" and "downstream" at the bottom of each map allow for moving through the "upper 200 miles, the Non-Tidal section" of the river.
Source: http://www.delawareriver.net/rivermap/map26.htm
- Hagan Waterfront, Crows Nest Foundation, 04/28/2013
The trip to both the Miller & Hagan sites this past weekend (Sunday, 04/28) was successful & gratifying, thanks to your instructions Rich. It was an excellent morning and early afternoon stomping around M&H with only minimal interference from ticks (thanks for the warning). - Old Miller Site, View In from Driveway, 04/28/2013
Rod,
Both of the roads into the camps are recognizable. The Miller site has a berm in front of the road now, but there is access to the field next to it where the tractors go in and out. The trees lining the road are in pretty bad shape, but you can find the road and there is still some pavement. If you go in that road and take a left at the end into the field it is possible to find the alter to the old outdoor chapel. It's not easy, but findable. It is easier to get into that area and see this time of year before the leaves come out. Just beware of ticks. If you want to try to find the waterfront it is easiest to walk north on the McDade trail from Smithfield Beach. There are vines over the steps to the waterfront so it can be a little hard to locate, but they can be found.
The Hagan site is a little easier to get around in. The original road goes back to a jeep or ATV trail that runs along the river. Going north, you can find both the outdoor chapel as well as the fire pit. Both ringed with tall pine trees.
Thanks Rich. I do remember the power lines upstream from Hagan, as seen from the Hagan waterfront. At some point as a camper I remember being ferried across to the Jersey side in canoes to do a day hike with my camp group up the power line trail to the Appalachian Trail, if I’m not mistaken.
I visited the Miller site many years ago with my brother and remember being impressed with how overgrown and wild everything had become. It can be pretty tricky to get your bearings and positively identify your location when walking in. I’m sure it’s even more challenging now.
From the aerial satellite imagery it looks like both sites are covered with pretty dense growth and trees, though much of the Miller site appears to be actively cultivated. I’m wondering if I’ll be able to identify the old tree-lined driveways to the camps when driving in along River Road (Miller), and what MapQuest labels as Freeman Tract Road (Hagan).
Try these links.
Miller http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.03129,-75.047377&sp...
Hagan http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=41.071773,-75.004982&s...
Hi Rod,
For the Hagan site look for the power lines across the river upstream from the camp and the big bend to the right down stream. Camp Miller is just upstream from the Smithfield Beach area and just downstream of a Radio Control airplane field with a small parking lot by the road.
Hope this helps.