Wharton State Forest: Batsto - 1/22/11

[njHiking.com]

Opted for a hike in the Pine Barrens, somewhere with little snow left on the ground and some green on the trees. Temperatures were around 25 degrees but it really wasn't that bad once you got moving.

4.1 miles + about a mile walking around the Village - Easy terrain. Mostly level, packed dirt and some softer sand (frozen solid today), occasional roots, very minimal elevation change. There was some hard-packed snow/ice on the trail, about 40% of the route, in patches.

Route: White Trail, from the back end of the visitor center parking lot. Trails are well marked and very easy to follow, pick up a detailed trail map at the kiosk outside the visitor center. There are other routes here of varying length, including the Batona Trail.

This is typical pine barrens terrain, which is very different than northern Jersey's forests. It can be wonderful or monotonous depending on your tastes!

For the full post, check out "Wharton State Forest: Batsto White Trail"