The Hike NJ Initiative

“As some of you know, I am awaiting the birth of my son in a couple of weeks. With that, I have been "grounded" from doing overnights or going to far off exotic places until after the little hiker is born. To keep from going absolutely stir crazy, I've taken to doing day hikes in NJ to keep my sanity. I'll be posting updates now and again to keep me amused.”

“So when exactly is BabyBackSlacker due? :)

Glad to hear you are getting out there for dayhikes! Wish you could come this weekend and next though. :( Is kidnapping you an option...we have duct tape...”

“I wish LMG LOL!!! :-)

*Sept 27 WooHoo!!!
last edited: 8/25/05 1:45:32 PM”

“Hooks Creek Lake


last edited: 8/31/05 9:58:08 AM”

“Did a nice day hike on the NY AT in Harriman yesterday. Perfect weather, but my camera crapped out on me. I did manage to squeeze off a few pics though! I also met a few Sobo thru hikers, Barrel Roll, Frogger, Harvest Moon and Fire Fly. Very cool guys (and 1 gal)Good luck to them!

Island Pond


The Famous Lemmon Squeezer



Fingerboard Shelter



Barrel Roll and Frogger have a pretty cool web site, chech it out!
http://www.sobohobos.com/
last edited: 9/02/05 5:49:35 PM”

“Very cool pics. It's perfect weather for a hike still I can't wait for the leaves to change. How many miles did you do?”

“Hey Lost Soul, how ya been? Yes, I can't wait for fall either. BigGulp and I did about nine miles Up the AT and around Island Pond. Here's the rest of the pics:
I only took a couple

http://www.thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/wpplonjg.php”

“Hey BS been busy working. 9 miles thats a pretty good walk in the woods. Hope all goes well with babyslacker you'll have to post if it's a boy or girl.”

“Ok, so speaking of Hiking NJ, anyone up for a day hike (or quick overnighter) one day this weekend here in NJ?

Maybe Ringwood, or Hewitt, or the AT, or Batona/Lower Forge? Talk to me...”

“Huh, wha? Yea I might be able to do that. I had my eye on a Rattlesnake swamp to Catfish Pond/fire tower type of loop, but I'm up for anything that's not too far (GD gas prices!!!)”

“Yeah, come fill up at the Shell in Union -- it's only $3.05 (but shhh, don't tell everyone, or else they'll have to raise their price...)

How's Sunday sound to you? Email me (address in profile)”

“I paid $3.31 today. Man, I never though I'd see gas this high! I'll let you know about Sunday.”

“Did a nice little day hike the other day on the NJ AT through the Rattlesnake swamp/MOC/Catfish Fire Tower area. The weather was beautiful and the views were not bad for NJ. Just thought I'd share a few pics wit ya......







”

“Hey Slacker cool pics. I heard they had a fire up that way recently by the Mohican center. Any news on how much damage was done?”

“those are cool pics. We started at Blairstown-Millbrook Rd and hiked north this weekend and finished in Culvers Gap. It was a very nice hike. WE missed you slacka!

and this is what we saw.

Where are Phantom's pics from the weekend I wonder?
last edited: 8/16/06 5:55:54 PM”

“Nice day you had. Great pics, thanks.:)”

“Borrowed from the other side


PLEASE TAKE ACTION!!!!

NJ state parks targeted for closure to fix budget hole
April 1, 2008

The list of nine New Jersey state parks that would close under Gov. Jon S. Corzine's proposed budget:

_ Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 2,928 acres, Monmouth County. Visitor center, restrooms, closed.

_ Stephens State Park, 805 acres, Warren County. Camping area closed.




_ High Point State Park, 15,827 acres, Sussex County. Swimming, camping, interpretive center, office, closed. Trail access limited.

_ Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (formerly Lebanon State Forest), 36,647 acres, Burlington County. Camping, group picnic area, Indian King Tavern, office, closed. Trail access limited.

_ Round Valley Recreation Area, 3,684 acres, Hunterdon County. Swimming, camping, Wallace House, office, closed.

_ Parvin State Park, 1,952 acres, Salem County. Swimming, camping, interpretive center, office, closed.

_ Jenny Jump State Forest, 4,288 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited.

_ Worthington State Forest, 6,584 acres, Warren County. Camping and office, closed. Trail access limited.

_ Fort Mott State Park, 104 acres, Salem County. Hancock House, historic sites, office, closed. Access to ferry service, open.





The list of three New Jersey state parks that would partially close under the proposed budget:

_ Ringwood State Park, 4,044 acres, Bergen and Passaic counties. Shepherd Lake swimming area closed; Ringwood Manor, reduced hours. State Botanical Gardens and Skylands Manor, open.

_ D&R Canal State Park, 5,379 acres, central New Jersey. Bulls Island Recreation Area closed to campers. Rockingham Historic Site and towpath, open.

_ Washington Crossing State Park, 3,126 acres, Mercer and Hunterdon counties. Significantly reduced hours at Clark House, Johnson Ferry House and the museum.



Winter hours at all remaining parks would be reduced. All but Liberty and Island Beach state parks would be closed Mondays and Tuesdays from Nov. 1 through March 31.”

“They couldn't have found money somewhere else? Seriously.

Idiots.”