Van Campens Glen, what's the true deal?

[Beth and Dave]

Is the trail closed?  Is it negotiable?  Is the park service ever planning on opening it again?  (Didn't look that way when we were there.)  Our family did the 6 mile Millbrook loop last weekend and ended up coming back Old Mine Road, because we saw signs that Van Campens was closed.  It was lousy hiking Old Mine, tons of traffic and hot as heck.  Any info would be appreciated.  We'd like to repeat this loop again, in the WINTER, after the ticks are asleep.  We pulled over 100 off of our dog in the parking lot at the end of the hike, and yes he was treated.  I would NOT reccomend that loop in the height of tick season:-(

[njHiking.com]

Van Campens Glen and several other areas are still closed due to Hurricane Irene damage according to the park's site, and will reopen as repairs are made.

The park has a closure page here that can be checked for updates:

Delaware Water Gap - Area and Road Closures

--Dawn

[Beth and Dave]

Thanks Dawn.  I was curious because people were parked outside of the road into the place and judging by the amount of trash, people have recently been using the area.

[njHiking.com]

That's a popular area for people to just hang out and not hike, so they are likely ignoring the closed signs and still using it to picnic (and leave their trash - sigh).

Hopefully people aren't hiking it. If the park closed it there must be some dicey areas, as the narrow trail runs right along the water, very rocky with areas slanted towards the water.

And I forgot to mention, this trail in winter can be icy on the rocks and isn't recommended. Need to find the window between tick season and freezing weather. :)

--Dawn

[Beth and Dave]

Thanks Dawn,  I figure we will give the Orchard, Hamilton, Pioneer trail another go in the winter.  There were so many sights, between some majestic old trees to the old tocks island houses.  I need to go back again to apprciate it all.