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November 2009 Blog Posts (10)

Cheesequake State Park 11/27/09

This busy weekend we headed to our favorite go-to park when we don't have a lot of time to drive to something longer: Cheesequake State Park. Did a quick 4.3 miler that combined the YELLOW, BLUE and GREEN trails. It was a nice day, but you could certainly tell that winter is coming - was glad I grabbed my fleece at the last moment.

A lot of the park is marshy with boardwalks.…

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Added by njHiking.com on November 29, 2009 at 8:46pm — No Comments

Wharton State Forest/Batsto Village - 11/22/09

I received the Wharton State Forest maps I had requested from the State Park Service this week. They sent some very nice, detailed maps. So we headed south. It's been a while since I hiked in southern NJ and my memory of that was being attacked by biting flies the entire time. None of that this time of year! The park has many tick warning signs posted but I didn't see a single one so hopefully they are… Continue

Added by Daniela Wagstaff on November 22, 2009 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

Getting High at Lunch

I work 5 minutes from Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and enjoy walking the trails at lunch. I guess I can say that at this moment in time.....I was the highest person in Morris County. :)

Added by Trail Blazer on November 21, 2009 at 1:25am — 1 Comment

Maurice River Bluffs and Parvins State Park - 11/15/09

Hiked two small and easy parks in south, south Jersey. Both parks have rock-free trails that are characteristic of south Jersey so you cover ground a lot quicker. Lots of pine trees, and some cedar at the Bluffs.

Maurice River Bluffs - 2.6 miles in about an hour. Pleasant trails through pine and cedar, with views of the Maurice River. A few minor rolling hills.

Parvins State Park - 3.3… Continue

Added by njHiking.com on November 17, 2009 at 6:10pm — No Comments

Delaware Water Gap/Worthington State Forest - 11/15/09

I did the Mount Tammany/Sunfish Pond/Dunnfield Creek hike and it was fabulous! Got there at 8 am and there were already many cars in the parking lot but only passed one couple on the red dot trail going up Mt. Tammany. The only problem with being there that early is the clouds were very low and obstructed the views but it's still neat to look down on… Continue

Added by Daniela Wagstaff on November 16, 2009 at 12:45pm — 2 Comments

The Pinnacle - Hamburg, PA 11/8/09

We went over to PA to hike The Pinnacle. It is normally an 8.6 mile hike but since it is so hugely popular, we decided to take the back way and park near Hawk Mountain which made our hike 12.8 miles, but a little less crowded than the AT going to and from the Reservoir parking lot in Hamburg where most people park. It took 1 1/2 hours to get there from Central Jersey. The… Continue

Added by Daniela Wagstaff on November 9, 2009 at 6:33pm — 2 Comments

Four Birds Trail - 11/8/09

Headed to the Farny Highlands to do a northern section of the Four Birds Trail that we hadn't done before. (Four Birds is 19 miles in length, one-way) This part of the trail is part of the Pequannock Watershed and requires a permit (altho the other 4 cars there didn't seem to have a parking sticker so not sure how much that is enforced).

There was significant leaf drop which totally obscured the trail. It was well-blazed but still hard to follow due to the leaves. A gentle uphill of… Continue

Added by njHiking.com on November 9, 2009 at 12:10pm — No Comments

Has anyone tried a "Buff" as winter headwear?

The have a Polartec one for winter, and it seems much more versatile than a regular knit cap. I was curious if anyone has ever tried one, and if they liked it. You can see what a Buff is on their site, and a quick video really explains it best here.

They even have them for… Continue

Added by njHiking.com on November 5, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Halloween Hike at Harriman 10/31/09

Headed to Harriman because it was Saturday during hunting season. (No hunting at Harriman at all). Parked at the visitor center and was surprised to see it packed since it was raining out.

Trail conditions were really slippery so we chose a mostly level trail and did a 7.2 mile loop around Pine Meadow Lake. This is a really pretty (and popular) area, as the trail follows a lovely brook to the lake and back. The leaves were past peak, but nearer the water there were still vibrant… Continue

Added by njHiking.com on November 2, 2009 at 11:39am — No Comments

Sandy Hook 10/31/09

Decided to hike Sandy Hook figuring it should be pretty deserted this time of year. For the most part it was, just a lot of people fishing. Parked right at the fee plaza (no fee after Labor Day), got on the multi-use trail briefly and turned right at the first beach access. Walked the entire beach heading north. There is nothing like the sound of crashing waves but the garbage and litter on the beach was quite depressing.…