South Mountain Reservation - Hemlock Falls - 12/11/15

[njHiking.com]

Moderate hike that takes in a viewpoint from historic Washington Rock, Hemlock Falls, and the Rahway River.

Historic Fun Fact: Washington Rock is where a signal beacon warned the Army at Morristown of the British Army's approach.

Trail surface: Moderate, somewhat rocky trails. A few easy stream crossings, and one over the Rayway River that may be tricky depending on water level/rock shifting.

• This route: 6.0 miles.
• Shorter: There multiple parking areas, trails, and woods roads to create shorter routes. The woods roads also tend to be easier and more level.
• Longer: Use the Lenape and Oakdale Trails to add in the other half of the park or extend the route with the Turtle Back trail.

Continue reading...

[Linda Frank]

Just a head's up on the hunting schedule for South Mountain.  Beginning Jan27 and ending Feb26, there'll be hunting scheduled for South Mountain every Tuesday & Thursday.  The Reservation will be closed on those days. South Mountain Hunting

[njHiking.com]

Hey Linda - I think that article is for Jan 2015. I haven't been able to find anything about 2016 yet; and the Essex County park site doesn't even mention hunting. I'd assume it's still running, but perhaps not.

Union County is running Jan 4 - Feb 12 though the parks don't close.

Dawn

[Linda Frank]

Hi Dawn,

Comment by Linda Frank 2 seconds ago Delete Comment

2015......ugh!   Usually I'm still dating my checks w/the previous year for at least the first half of any given January.  So what happens now?  Now I'm seeing 2015 and it's registering as 2016.  :( Guess I've fallen too many times on too many trails and hit my head too many times!  Sorry for the mis-read.  I checked again, too, and couldn't find any updates on South Mtn.  But I'm thinking it's probably the same deal.  Only the days of the week may have changed.  Wondering if giving the park's offices a call might help clarify.   Linda

[njHiking.com]

The park office could clarify. If anything it's probably just Tues and Thursdays; but it's possible it might not be running it at all if the deer #s are down to the level they need.

[njHiking.com]

Just saw this: Essex County Plans For Ninth Annual Deer Management Program - park is closed for deer hunting on Tuesdays and Thursdays: Jan. 19, 21, 26, 28 and Feb. 2, 4, 2016, in the afternoon.