JANUARY
Jan 1 (Mon): First Day Hikes in New Jersey’s State Parks and Forests. Celebrate the New Year with one of the “First Day Hikes” that the Park Service holds across the state. https://www.stateparks.org/special-programs/first-day-hikes/ These free guided hikes in state parks, forests, and historic sites are part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program. There are many to choose from, so contact leaders for information after the hikes are posted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com
Jan 6 (Sat): Eagle Rock Reservation Hike (Essex Co.) We will meet before 10 a.m.at the Essex County 9/11 Memorial, main entrance, Prospect Avenue and Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange. There are facilities. We will hike 4 to 5 miles at a moderate pace. Wear hiking boots, bring traction devices and poles if snow or ice. No dogs please. Bring water and snacks. Contact the leader to register. Ron Pate, Ronpate31@verizon.net or 973-965-7578 (G)
Jan 13 (Sat): Silver Mine Lake Hike, Harriman State Park, Tomkins Cove, NY (Orange Co.) 10 a.m., 6 miles in Hilly Terrain; Features: The Appalachian Trail, a lean-to trail shelter, the defunct Silver Mine Ski Hill, Silver Mine Lake. Facilities: heated restroom building. Requirements: hiking boots, non-cotton hiking socks, and a backpack with water and lunch. No Pets. RSVP required at www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/calendar. Directions will be sent via email to those who RSVP. Leaders: Jimi Oleksiak, the_hikist@mac.com, and Jerry Ruocco (SS)
Jan 14 (Sun): Lake Lenape Park West—Winter Birding Walk (Atlantic Co.). 10 a.m., 3 miles, easy pace along the lake shore to the blue trail that overlooks the lake. The trails are wide, hard-packed, and well blazed. Lake Lenape Park is a great destination for beginner and advanced naturalists alike. In the winter, raptors, mammals, and waterfowl are conspicuous. During the winter, between Christmas and late January, Lake Lenape hosts a population of roosting Bald Eagles. Meet at the Lake Lenape Boathouse, Old Harding Highway, Mays Landing. There are heated facilities. Bring binoculars, water, and snacks. Please, no pets on this birding walk. Dress warmly; it can be windy along the lake shore. Inclement weather/icy conditions cancel. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders: Tom Boghosian, tfboghosian44@gmail.com, and Leona F, Leona@pineypaddlers.com (SJ)
Jan 21 (Sun): NJ State Museum (Mercer Co.) 10 a.m. Let’s enjoy an “indoor outing” to the NJ State Museum. Caroline Burton will be the next artist featured in the exhibition series on the main floor gallery. Burton moves fluidly between painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture, often combining techniques in a practice that invites unconventional materials. This NJ Artist series exhibition will feature some of Burton’s most recent work. Also, “History Beneath Our Feet: Archaeology of a Capital City,” focusing on the long history of human activity in Trenton as told through the lens of archaeology, will also be on view in the museum. Parking is free in front of the museum, 205 W State St, Trenton. Please register to confirm participation. Leona and George F, leona@pineypaddlers.com (C)
Jan 28 (Sun): “Photo Safari” and Walk at Sandy Hook (Monmouth Co.) 10:30 a.m. Situated in Sandy Hook Bay, the tip of Skeleton Hill Island has the unique advantage of being the winter host of many restful and weary harbor seals. There is no guarantee that we will see the seals, but they usually arrive sometime in December from their breeding grounds up in Northern New England and Southern Canada. They forage at night and during the day mostly sleep and take it easy. Bring binoculars, dress warmly in layers and bring a hot beverage and snacks; plan for 2 hours outdoors to observe seals at low tide and waterfowl that overwinter in New Jersey. Meet at Gateway National Recreation Area, 128 South Hartshorne Dr, Highlands, 07732. Facilities are available. Inclement weather cancels. Preregistration is required. www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/raritan-valley Co-leaders: John Miraglia, johnworks3@aol.com and Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com (RV)
FEBRUARY
Feb 2 (Fri): Groundhog Day Hike at Jakes Branch County Park (Ocean Co.) Meet at 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. Jakes Branch has a nature center with interesting hands-on exhibits and an observation deck that offers a 360° view of the Pinelands. Meet at Jakes Branch Park, 1100 Double Trouble Rd, Beechwood. There are heated facilities. Option for late lunch at Shady Rest Restaurant. Leashed dogs are welcome. Inclement weather/icy conditions cancel. Co-leaders George & Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com and Margaret Mary Piccolo, gogreenp1@yahoo.com (O)
Feb 10 (Sat): High Point Cross Country Ski, Wantage, NJ (Sussex Co.) 10 a.m. We expect to take 4-5 hours for fun in the snow. http://www.xcskihighpoint.com/ Features: Groomed ski trails and fantastic views all around. Facilities: ski lodge with a fireplace; a snack counter with light refreshments, hot soup and drinks, and indoor restrooms. At High Point you can rent skis, boots, and poles or bring your own. You must buy a trail pass to ski: $25. Requirements: XC skis and boots and a daypack with water. No pets. Bring lunch. RSVP required at www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/calendar Directions will be sent via email to those who RSVP. Leaders: Jimi Oleksiak, the_hikist@mac.com, and Jerry Ruocco (SS)
Feb 14 (Wed): Valentine’s Day Hike at Smithville Park (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace at Historic Smithville Park in Vincentown, NJ. The Park features a diverse collection of habitats and terrain and offers Rancocas Creek vistas. There are woods trails and elevations. Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Meet at the Smith’s Woods access parking lot, East Railroad Ave. Facilities available. Leashed dogs are welcome. Option for late lunch at Vincentown Diner. Inclement weather/icy conditions cancel. Preregistration is required. George & Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com (W)
Feb 18 (Sun): Hike the Franklin Parker Preserve (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 4-5 miles, easy pace on the Yellow Trail. The acquisition of the Franklin Parker Preserve in 2003 by the NJ Conservation Foundation was momentous. This 9400-acre preserve is a keystone piece of land, linking Brendan Byrne, Wharton, and Penn State forests and creating a more contiguous Pinelands National Reserve. Meet at Speedwell entrance off Rt 563, Woodland Twp. Portable toilet at parking lot. Leashed dogs are welcome. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Inclement weather/icy conditions cancel. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders: Tom Boghosian, tfboghosian44@gmail.com, and Leona F, Leona@pineypaddlers.com (SJ)
MARCH
Mar 2 (Sat): South Mountain Reservation Hike (Essex Co.) 10 a.m., moderate pace. We will hike 6-7 miles; moderate difficulty, hilly trail on mostly dirt trails. We will meet at the Turtleback Loop Trail parking area off 374 Walker Road, West Orange. There are facilities. Wear hiking boots, bring water and lunch. Rain cancels. No dogs please. Contact the leader to register. Ron Pate, Ronpate31@verizon.net, or 973-965-7578 (G)
Mar 3 (Sun): World Wildlife Day—Hike at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. We’ll begin our visit at the Nature Center and “slither on in” to the Reptile Room. Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge consists of 171 acres of protected “Green Acres” Pinelands habitat. Cedar Run features about 3 miles of trails for a leisurely stroll around the lake or the option for a longer walk into the forest. The Wildlife Housing Area is the highlight of any visit with nearly 60 resident owls, eagles, vultures, raccoons, turtles and more! Admission: adults (13+) $10, Children (4-12) $5. Address: 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. There are facilities. Bring water and snacks. Pets are not permitted. Option for late lunch at a local restaurant. Preregistration is required. George & Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com (W)
Mar 9 (Sat): Sterling Forest Hike, Tuxedo Park, NY (Orange Co.) 10 a.m. Hike 6 miles in 4 hours. Hilly Terrain. Moderate to Strenuous difficulty. Features: Sterling Lake, Fire Tower, Lookouts, Historical Sites. Facilities: There is a visitor center with indoor bathrooms as well as a portable toilet in the parking lot. Requirements: Hiking boots, a backpack with water and lunch. RSVP required at www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/calendar Directions will be sent via email to those who RSVP. Leaders: Jimi Oleksiak, the_hikist@mac.com, and Jerry Ruocco (SS)
Mar 15 (Fri): National Peanut Lovers Day Hike at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park (Middlesex Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. We begin our hike on the Yellow Trail, a grassy/rocky section through the woods that includes narrow boardwalks over swampy areas. The forested Blue Trail has elevations, exposed roots to step over, and large stones for steps in some sections. Hiking poles and good footwear recommended. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Leashed dogs are welcome. Portable toilet at parking lot. Rain cancels. Preregistration is required. www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/raritan-valley Co-leaders: SP., spjersey@gmail.com, and Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com (RV)
Mar 17 (Sun): “Wear Green” Hike at Estell Manor (Atlantic Co). 10 a.m. About 2 miles, option for an additional 3+ miles. We’ll follow the Purple Heart Trail south to the Glassworks and the scenic overlook on Stephens Creek for a break. Meet at the Warren E. Fox Nature Center on 109 Boulevard Rt 50, Mays Landing and see the displays before we hike. Facilities are available. Bring water, snacks, and lunch on the hike. Leashed dogs are welcome! Inclement weather cancels. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders: Tom Boghosian, tfboghosian44@gmail.com, and Leona F, Leona@pineypaddlers.com (SJ)
Mar 24 (Sun): Cloverdale Farm County Park Nature Walk (Ocean Co.) 10 a.m., 2 miles, easy pace. The Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Program acquired Cloverdale Farm in 2004. Within the boundaries of this 90-acre park, we find the diversity of the Pine Barrens wetlands, uplands, and the beauty of 20 acres of cranberry bogs all year long. We’ll tour the Interpretive Center and walk the self-guided nature trail. Meeting at 34 Cloverdale Rd, Barnegat. There are facilities. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders George & Leona F, leona@pineypaddlers.com, and Margaret Mary Piccolo, gogreenp1@yahoo.com (O)
Apr 1 (Mon): Hike at Mercer County Park (Mercer Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. “Dyngus Day” hike along Mercer Lake to check out the park’s new Ropes and Zipline Course. Walk to the John Rogers House, built in 1761, which is now an open-air, reconstructed ruin adapted for interpretation. From there to the West Picnic area (facilities) for a break, then along the lake and some wooded trails before returning to Grandparents Grove for lunch. Meet us at Grandparents Grove, which is next to the Boathouse Marina, 334 S. Post Rd. There are facilities. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Leashed dogs are welcome, Heavy rain cancels. Preregistration is required. Leona and George F., leona@pineypaddlers.com (C)