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Thread: Northern NJ

  1. #1
    Llama Punch VictoriaM's Avatar
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    Default Northern NJ

    Hi all! As I mentioned in my other post, I'm planning to thru hike next year. I'm new to backpacking, and could really use some practice. I'm looking for a very patient hiker to help me figure out my gear and let me tag along on some hikes. Hopefully I'll get a lot of day hikes and some overnights or multi-day trips in this year.

    If you're from the area but not up to dealing with me, maybe you could point me in the direction of some well marked trails of varying lengths nearby?

    Thanks much!

  2. #2
    Do-it-yourself pepsi can stoves - $20 each. Amigi'sLastStand's Avatar
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    I live in Summit currently, until 7/17. I am still recovering somewhat from double stress fractures of my feet. I have been hiking everyother day for therapy and am not yet back to my usual pace. I hike in the Watchung Lenape Indian Reservation. If you'd like, I could check your gear and get you prepped while I do my therapy. I know, it's roughing HAVING to hike for therapy, but doctor's orders. So email me if you want to.
    Chuck
    You are in heaven.

  3. #3
    LT '79; AT '73-'14 in sections; Donating Member Kerosene's Avatar
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    Upper North Jersey has a number of choices for short weekend hikes, especially if you can get someone to shuttle you from where you park your car.

    As a newbie, you might want to try the AT section from High Point to Vernon or further. This is a nice easy section with some pretty walking.

    There are a number of trails around Delaware Water Gap also, but those are usually steeper and rockier. Check those out once you get in a little better backpacking shape.

    Here is a link to the NY/NJ Trail Conservancy that has a bunch of info on trails in the area: http://www.nynjtc.org/trails/index.html
    GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kerosene
    Upper North Jersey has a number of choices for short weekend hikes, especially if you can get someone to shuttle you from where you park your car.

    As a newbie, you might want to try the AT section from High Point to Vernon or further. This is a nice easy section with some pretty walking.

    There are a number of trails around Delaware Water Gap also, but those are usually steeper and rockier. Check those out once you get in a little better backpacking shape.

    Here is a link to the NY/NJ Trail Conservancy that has a bunch of info on trails in the area: http://www.nynjtc.org/trails/index.html
    Don't forget Harriman Park which is closer to parts of NJ than the NJ section of AT is. Harriman features a network of trails which allow for circuits and a number of ups and downs.

  5. #5
    Do-it-yourself pepsi can stoves - $20 each. Amigi'sLastStand's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cookerhiker
    Don't forget Harriman Park which is closer to parts of NJ than the NJ section of AT is. Harriman features a network of trails which allow for circuits and a number of ups and downs.
    Ha, I was just there. Had a great time. If anyone goes, be sure to check out the mines. Neat stuff.
    You are in heaven.

  6. #6

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    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cookerhiker
    Don't forget Harriman Park which is closer to parts of NJ than the NJ section of AT is. Harriman features a network of trails which allow for circuits and a number of ups and downs.



    Quote Originally Posted by Amigi'sLastStand
    Ha, I was just there. Had a great time. If anyone goes, be sure to check out the mines. Neat stuff.
    Brings back memories. The first hiking I ever did as a kid was in Harriman and I remember those mines, especially the deep green cold water.

    Besides Harriman, there's a similar mine at Pine Grove Furnace, PA

  7. #7
    Registered User orangebug's Avatar
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    All good advice, plus NJ is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked.

    For further assistance in checking out your gear, consider attending one of the RUCKs next year. The closest one to you is the PARUCK at Iron Master's Hostel in PA, near the half way point. Usually, it is held on SuperBowl Weekend.

  8. #8
    Registered User Steve W's Avatar
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    Victoria, I would love to talk to you about your hike as I'm currently having major hiking withdrawal due to the fact that I'm recovering from knee surgery. At the moment I can barely walk, so hiking is out of the question right now, but hopefully by late in the summer I'll be back out. At that time it would be great to have someone who wants to take it easy to hike with. I'm not nearly the gear head that many people on this site are, but I certainly can give you some honest advise based on what I've learned. Also, I've been hiking in and around New Jersey all of my life so I'm sure I can point you in the direction of some good day and overnight hikes. If you want to talk, let me know, I'll be here.
    Steve

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    Registered User DGrav's Avatar
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    The Pinchot Trail system in PA is just off of Rt 80 not too far from NJ. Great place for testing out gear.

    Next time our group goes backpacking in the area I'll drop you a note. One of the guys owned his own outfitters store for years and is very knowledgeable about gear

  10. #10
    Thru' hiker one weekend at a time... vipahman's Avatar
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    I'm hiking NOBO from the Hudson River up towards CT next weekend. My hiking buddy is out with a bad knee. Feel free to PM me if interested. And yeah, having gone from 26 lbs core weight to 4 lbs core weight, I might even have some useful advice. :-)
    -Avi
    AT completed: NJ6-1, NY13-2, CT5-2

  11. #11
    Hug a Trail volunteer StarLyte's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by orangebug
    All good advice, plus NJ is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked.

    For further assistance in checking out your gear, consider attending one of the RUCKs next year. The closest one to you is the PARUCK at Iron Master's Hostel in PA, near the half way point. Usually, it is held on SuperBowl Weekend.
    The PA Ruck is the last weekend of January held at the above hostel. Lots of good people, advice, food, fellowship. Please feel free to ask any questions/PM myself regarding this hiker event or view many photos on backcountry.net from this year and previous years! It is an intimate setting with around 50-125 people.

    Marsha

  12. #12
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    Hi Victoria,
    I'm just south of you in NJ I'll be doing some quick weekend overnights in the area soon. I would be happy to help you sort out your stuff. I am a fairly experienced female Bper too busy to do the long distance thing, but I like to get out on small trips when I can. Drop me a line.

  13. #13

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    If you're interested in the Pine Barrens, there's a trail down near Batso good for an overnight or too. It would be a bit of a drive down the Parkway though, around the mid-50's exitwise.

    Otherwise, any of the AT is nice in Jersey or you may find it easier to head North out of state.
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    Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
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  14. #14
    James Sodt Time To Fly 97's Avatar
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    Hi Victoria,

    I live 1.2 miles from the Long House Road crossing (last northbound). I have hiked all (?) the trails in the area and have evolved through many different gear combos. AT Thru-hiker.

    I highly recommend:

    http://www.localhikes.com - use 07421 for a local zip code if you want

    This site has outstanding trail info on NNJ trails.

    Glad to help!!!

    TTF

  15. #15

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    It's nice of TTF to say the website has lots of good NJ info, but he's being too modest.

    He himself is actually about as good a NJ information resource as you'll find anywhere, and having known him for something like nine years, I'm very happy he's starting to contribute regularly here.

  16. #16
    James Sodt Time To Fly 97's Avatar
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    I am humbled by your kind words. : )

  17. #17
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    The Batona Trail down in Southern Jersey is an excellent beginner trail. It is relatively flat compared to North Jersey trails, makes for easy hiking. Also you don't have the bears to worry about like in the North. Although bears have been spotted in the Southern Counties there are not half as many as in the North. The trail passes through 3 State Parks with parking and camping along the trail. I believe the 3 Parks are Bass River, Brendan T Byrne and Wharton. This a link that I have with some info:

    http://members.aol.com/Batona/BatonaTrailGuide.html

    Hope this info helps and good luck. Feel free to contact me with any questions about this trail or backpacking in general.

  18. #18
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    Default hi

    Im also in northern nj and rehabilitating a back injury so i can do a thru-hike. I'm looking for a hiking buddy, and to discover some new trails.



    Quote Originally Posted by Amigi'sLastStand
    I live in Summit currently, until 7/17. I am still recovering somewhat from double stress fractures of my feet. I have been hiking everyother day for therapy and am not yet back to my usual pace. I hike in the Watchung Lenape Indian Reservation. If you'd like, I could check your gear and get you prepped while I do my therapy. I know, it's roughing HAVING to hike for therapy, but doctor's orders. So email me if you want to.
    Chuck

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