Wanna hang in the Pine Barrens? - 12/29-30 Batona Camp, NJ

Anybody want to hang in the Pine Barrens 12/29-30? I'm really getting to like the Pine Barrens 'cause it's flat, beautiful, and plenty of water. And it's piney!

I'm gonna drop my car at Batona Camp on 12/29 and hike south to Lower Forge (6 miles) or Mullica River (7.5 miles) Wilderness Camp. It's a stretch of trail I've been wanting to check out.

On 12/30 I'm gonna hike back north to Batona Camp and overnight. My three kids, 20, 18 & 12 years old, may drive down and join me at Batona, but I seriously doubt it. Probably going to knock out a day hike to Apple Pie Hill on 12/31 before heading home.

KYBob has said he's coming. I'm bringing extra Amsteel and KY Jelly so he can demonstrate his unique way of making whoopie slings.

All are welcome!

KYBob is testing out his full length Hammock Gear 20* Incubator UQ and I'm testing the Hammock Gear 20* Burrow and 3/4 Phoenix UQ. Temps in the low 30s, so it's not much of a challenge. However, I have been getting CBS on the left butt cheek every morning at 5 am. Need to explore the problem.

Heading out in the AM. Will probably be at Lower Forge by 4 pm or so.

Will be at Batona Camp probably by noon on Friday 12/30 if anyone wants to join!

Have fun. I haven't been there since I was a scout in the early 70's. Always a winter trip. We used to cut fire roads to help out the forest service. I'd imagine scouts can't do that kind of thing anymore.

Times are indeed different - I used to clear roads for the YMCA back in Alabama. Learned how to operate chainsaws and take down 100 ft. trees when I was 13. We didn't even wear hardhats.

The kids are coming! Gonna hike to Lower Forge tonight, then meet the 20, 18 and 12-year old kids at Batona on Friday. I'll have two hammocks hanging for them and a tent. It's great to get the kids out in the piney woods!

Aw man, I totally missed this thread. Otherwise I would have popped down. Woulda been cool to check out Lower Forge. That's what I get for not checking the trip planning forum. :mellow:

It was great - nobody at Lower Forge, and only one other group camping at Batona.