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trips - In Search of the Jersey DevilTrip Info
DescriptionLittle it be known, away from the bustling metropolises that engulf a large part of the state, in South-Central New Jersey, about halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, lies a wilderness unlike anywhere else, known as the Pine Barrens. Located at the crossroads of the American Revolution, New Jersey and Wharton State Forest are rich in history, folklore, as well as local legends of other sorts. One of the better known legends, is that of the Jersey Devil, a demon said to haunt the pine forests of southern New Jersey. Fact or Fiction -- there's only one way to find out....if you dare... Sat 6 Nov: We will be meeting at the Batsto Visitor Center parking lot off of Burlington County Route 542 on Saturday 6 Nov at 7:30 AM. We will spot cars as needed there (we will end the hike there) and then shuttle up to where the Batona Trail crosses Burlington County Route 532 near Chatsworth, NJ. From here, we will hike the Batona Trail south over Apple Pie Hill (Elev. 205 ft -- highest point in NJ south of Trenton), which has a firetower and a nice view of the surrounding pine forest. We will also go by the Carranza Memorial and end the day's hike at the Lower Forge Campground at the Batsto River. Total Distance for the Day is about 10 miles or so (I don't have an exact figure -- sorry -- with minimal elevation change). Sun 7 Nov: We will continue south on the Batona Trail along the Batsto River past Quaker Bridge and end the hike down at the Batsto Village Visitors Center where we had originally spotted some of our cars. Total distance for the day is about 6 miles or so. As an alternative if you do not wish to do the 10 miles or so from Apple Pie Hill, you can start at the Batsto Village Visitors Center and meet us at the Lower Forge Campsite. This would involve a 6-mile hike in, and you would take the same route back out with us on Sunday. Also as another alternative, you could take the Mullica River Trail out of Batsto Village Visitors Center to Quaker Bridge Road, go back over Quaker Bridge, and then take the Batona Trail to Lower Forge Campsite and meet up. This distance is about 9 miles or so. Either way you decide to go, this will be one of those "alternative" hikes from what we usually do out here in the Northeast. It is not, by any means, going to be a difficult hike -- the trail is mostly sand (there are no rocks in southern NJ) and the total elevation gain of the entire hike is maybe about 150 feet. I just thought it might be fun to try something a little different. For driving directions, do a Mapquest search for BATSTO, NJ (for the Batsto Village Visitors Center) or search for CHATSWORTH, NJ (for the trailhead near Apple Pie Hill). A Spread on the NJ Pinelands from a local newspaper. (Requires Adobe® Reader®)  WHARTON STATE FOREST 4110 Nesco Road Hammonton, NJ 08037 Phone: (609) 561-0024 Wharton State Forest Official Website
 = Yes,  = Maybe
Trip Attendees
Picture Albums Batona Trail Revisited (6 pics) - BackSlackerBatona Trail Overnight Hike (24 pics) - PhantomSoul
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