Taking a Hike

Local Wildlife at Loantaka Brook Reservation - Morristown NJ

With a degree of certainty, there are small parks in your area worth exploring. While we dream of climbing through the Rockies or one of my favorite local parks (Stokes State Forest), there are nice quick hikes virtually in your backyard. For me, Loantaka Brook Reservation meets this need.

I began this visit to simply see what there was to see. What I found compelled me to return the next day. The trails are flat and basic, much of which is paved. Yet if you go, explore Kitchell Pond near one of the ball fields. Carefully observe along the banks and you will see brown snakes resting in the sun or snapping turtles on logs or basking in the mud.  

Observing 8-9 turtles on a log, I was compelled to try and get closer (truly I need a long lens camera). Yet these critters are able to detect my presence and would scamper back into the water. Thus my need to return the next day and try again (for-which, nearly the same results occurred - except for one brave lil guy).

During my visit, walkers would ask what I lost or what I am looking for. When I responded - snakes. They recoiled, and never thought about the wildlife within a few step falls. I assured them the snakes are not venomous. It was a wonderful and amusing little hike.

Hedden Park (Dover NJ): quick night hike

We have covered this little park in Dover NJ many times, because it is in my backyard (literally). This evening. took a quick hike to test new hiking boots, poles and gloves - as the temperature was a balmy 22 degrees (f). I don't mind walking the Hedden Park trails at dusk/early evening, as I know this park so well.

At this time of year, there is such a quiet peacefulness on the trail. Please enjoy my pictures from Hedden Park, Dover NJ.

And the gloves (TNF Apex North Face) and boots (Garmont CCS) were comfortable in the colder temps.

Dismal-Harmony Natural Area - Mendham NJ

Seriously, if you live in North New Jersey, visit one of these trails in Mendham (no they aren't paying me to say this - but one of the guys there owes me some ice cream!).  This town of about 6,000 has 55 miles of trails; a strong commitment to preserving some of the best that this state has to offer.

Today I hiked the Dismal-Harmony Natural Area (Wood Terrace Loop). The forecast was for a sunny afternoon, so the dark clouds and winds had me wondering if snow was unexpectedly on the way. Undaunted, I began my hike.

Take heed - the map says make left turns at the initial trail junctions. The first junction, I went - right and wound up on Stony Brook Road - wondering what I did wrong. I wandered on what I thought was a trail and wound up overlooking Woodlawn Avenue (according to my GPS). I later learned that Stony Brook Rd is a small parking entrance for Patriots Path. At the end of my hike, I once again missed the turn off and wound up here again. I did find a few nice pictures, so the erroneous detour was enjoyable.

The trail runs by an old Boy Scout Camp (note to Mendham officials - clean off the graffiti inside the cabin - very offensive). A friend saw some of my pictures and recalls camping the area in the late 50's and 60's. The trail (white blaze) is part of the extensive Patriot's Path. At the "yellow" blaze, turn left.

The trails are well marked and within a short time you encounter Legend Rock. The Yellow blaze continues forward - yet there is a junction to the left. This will take you to Legend Rock. You will return and continue the yellow blaze after visiting this impressive rock formation. The rock formations in North New Jersey date back to the glacial period. In the Fall, you can see this rock formation well before you arrive at the "yellow" trail junction. Very impressive.

The trails descents to Dismal Brook - which you can hear well before you reach. When someone asks why I enjoy these hikes, I try to explain the wonderful sound of these brooks. At the brook, you turn right - however it appeared there was a trail running to the left, which i thought was the Patriots Path (it wasn't) however, it was worth exploring. I came upon the spillway by Mt. Pleasant Avenue. However, this may be private property. Following the brook back; continue on the trail. It is a continuation of the yellow trail yet there are no blazes.  It is well groomed so it is easy to follow. Before reaching the Patriots Path, I encountered falls. Not large but with the rock formations, impressive and enjoyable.

Patriots Path continues; next time I will follow this longer - this time however the weather was looking threatening, so good judgment called for me to return. Make a hard right turn and head up the hill and follow to the parking lot (just be careful to turn off - or like me - you wind up on Stony Brook Road (again).

View pictures from my hike on Dismal-Harmony Natural Area.

Great Swamp Nat. Wildlife Refuge (NJ): Fun in the Mud

It's a swamp, what would you expect of the trails. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is only 30 miles from NYC, and once was scoped out to be a jetport. Thank goodness for this 7,000 acre parcel of land  and it's wide array of vegetation and wildlife.

There are three man hiking areasl for which we covered two today. The first was at the education center off Long Hill Road. This is mostly for the general public (not the hard core hiker), as the trails are mostly on boardwalks - no muddy boots here. There are two bird blinds; and I suspect if you go during the week when it is quieter - less human's - you will see more of the water fowl.

The next trail is located further down the road on Long Hill Road. This one is muddy and mucky. Starting from the "blue" blaze, I worked my way to Lontaka Brook.  There are sections of trail that are difficult to maneuver through - so be prepared with good waterproof boots. I cross the bridge and explored the blue trail further - then doubled back to the "Ivory" blaze. This trail loops back - as does a "yellow" trail. The trails are well blazed and on this day, I was the only one in the area. Nice.

There is another trail we didn't explore yet - at the end of White Bridge Road. This was a trail, off Myersville Road, which I used to explore while in high school "orange" blaze.

 The Great Swamp trails are worth exploring during each of the seasons - especially the spring when the vegetation wakes up and perhaps there are more inhabitants found in the area.

View pictures of my hike in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on Flickr.

Mendham NJ Again? The India Brook Mountainside Loop

Mendham NJ has 55 miles of hiking trails. For short nature hikes, these are spectacular. Today I went on the India Brook Mountainside Loop, a short 1.2 miles. It's a nice hike along the scenic India Brook, then into the woods a bit. The trail is well marked (a small challenge looking for the orange turn around - which is just a few yards south of the river crossing. The hike up the small hill leads to an old road. I followed it north to the No Trespassing signs (maybe I went a little further), then headed back.

When I started this hike, a magnificent looking Great Blue Heron flew down the stream -- what a great wingspan. Later, the Heron flew by again; I was unable to get a picture with my iPhone. When I finished the main hike, I noticed it was sitting on a rock in the stream just on the other side of the Mountainside Bridge. You will see it (barely) in the photo. As I approached it, a large loud truck rambled over the bridge and it was gone.

Seeing nature while hiking is one of the great joys; so far a few snakes, deer, the heron and the black bear - from past hikes.

On the opposite side of the road (same side as the parking), you can walk down the Patriot's Path; a few more photo ops of the stream, but not much else.

View my pictures of today's hike on Mendham NJ's India Brook Mountainside trail.

Mendham's India Brook Trail: Nice Surprise in NJ

Right in the middle of heavily populated North New Jersey are located some incredible hiking trails. Mendham NJ, a few miles west of Morristown, has a large selection of scenic natural trails, including today's hike at India Brook (2 mile loop).

The trail is mostly along the India Brook and includes the Buttermilk Falls and Lewis Forge, previously visited. Buttermilk Falls trail is on the opposite side of the river. The trail map identifies the blaze as white, however it is "yellow". There is a "white" blaze trail, however it goes further North-east - and does not loop back. At this time, we do not know what this trail is called - nor it's ending point. We walked the "white blaze about 1/2 mile past the turn off and as dusk began to caste longer shadows, we doubled back to the correct "yellow" turnoff and continued up the hill to the "shorter-hike" turn off near the old unused Seeing Eye Dog facility. if you have time, I recommend walking this short distance on the "white" blaze for more scenic views of the brook.

Following the correct "yellow" blaze, we explored the abandoned Seeing Eye Facility then took the park road back to the car - enjoying the dusk sky. 

We have had "blaze" and map issues with the two other Mendham trails we explored (Burnett and Buttermilk Falls) - and unfortunately we experienced another map snafu this time. However, more importantly, these are absolutely wonderful & beautiful trails. Easy and close by (for me at least), for last minute walks in the woods. We didn't have time to cover the western part of the trail, however we will complete this hike soon. View pictures of today's hike at India Brook Loop Trail.

Update: Today (11/25) I finished this trail- in a light rain. The last few pictures are from today. This is a great "easy" trail - and is recommended. Once again - finding fantastic trails like this right in my backyard - priceless.

Nostalgic Hike: Pipeline in Whippany NJ

Growing up in Whippany NJ, my friends and me would explore the woods at the end of our street - walking through to Morristown Municipal Airport. We would spend hours catching minnows, frogs and turtles. The older kids would ride their minibikes (illegal then and now) along the pipeline. Often they were chased away be the police.

It has been over 35 years (dating myself big time) since I was last in the "woods", yet I remember like it was today. And, in fact - it was today that I took a journey back in time, through the woods and into the black mucky mud...

Back in the day, we could walk right up to the airport runway and watch the planes take off, above our heads! Most were small prop planes - a few corporate Lear jets. We once even walked into an open Lear jet - what luxury  and no one got mad at us - they simply told us to move away. Another time a pilot offered to give us a flight around. We had no real reason not to trust him back then - but we declined  anyway. Things have sure changed, with the large fence and barb-wire surrounding the airport. The innocent times of the past are certainly over. Yet, though the mud and drizzle rain, it was nice being back... in the "woods". View pictures of my nostalgic journey into the "woods".

Black River Trail, Chester NJ : short hike with my girls

article coming soon. One of my daughters, Ariel (11 1/2) is enjoying hiking... so she will be featured in some upcoming (easy) hikes.

Chester & Long Valley NJ: Trails and Sights

article coming soon.  Pictures that include Gillette and Columbia Trails - Patriots Path and Cooper Mill (Black River).   

Turkey Mountain at Pyramid Mt. NJ

Turkey Mountain is a less explored segment of Pyramid Mountain Historical Area in Morris County NJ. Full article coming soon.  Pictures of my hike on Turkey Mountain...