Coming to NJ

[BreckDown]

I grew up in South Jersey in a little town call Estell Manor. I'm coming home to see my family and friends between June 11 and June 19. Anyone up for a mid-week hike and overnighter? I'm not even sure what trails to hit up. I know that there the Batona Trail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batona_Trail) that's about 50 miles. I'm not looking to do the whole thing unless someone really wants to go nuts...I'm up for a challenge. I'm open to just about anything, I didn't hike as a kid besides some orienteering in Atlantic County Park so I know nothing about what's in the area hiking wise.

[kayak karl]

I grew up in South Jersey in a little town call Estell Manor. I'm coming home to see my family and friends between June 11 and June 19. Anyone up for a mid-week hike and overnighter? I'm not even sure what trails to hit up. I know that there the Batona Trail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batona_Trail) that's about 50 miles. I'm not looking to do the whole thing unless someone really wants to go nuts...I'm up for a challenge. I'm open to just about anything, I didn't hike as a kid besides some orienteering in Atlantic County Park so I know nothing about what's in the area hiking wise.

the batona is 55 miles parking area to parking area. ongs hat-batona camp 21 mi, batona-buttonwood 17 mi, buttonwood-bass river 17 mi.

if not that. batsto to batona 12 mi, batona to lower forge 10 mi (through hampton furnace), lower forge to batsto 6 mi. or just overnight to either camp.

or car camp at batona and a day hike to the top of apple pie mountain. the snow should be melted by then

map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...733a9bda1e&z=9

im up for it and know a guy from cherry hill that would go too. maybe others from this site.

last trip
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29169
last post is trip report

other trips
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/5...vhost=outdoors
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/5...vhost=outdoors

[Syb]

I could squeeze in a few miles. Will Kaia be in tow KK?

[kayak karl]

I could squeeze in a few miles. Will Kaia be in tow KK?

LOL of course. i only gave suggestions to the pet friendly camping areas.

[silentorpheus]

Midweek is better for me. I'd likely be in.

[BreckDown]

Now is the Batona a good option or do any of you recommend a different trail? I just tossed it out because I was surprised to see a trail that length in NJ.

[kayak karl]

Now is the Batona a good option or do any of you recommend a different trail? I just tossed it out because I was surprised to see a trail that length in NJ.

your not going to find a longer trail down here. even the batona has 5 miles of road walking.

[BreckDown]

My trip dates changed to May 28-June 5. I don't know if that's better or worse for any of you.

[BreckDown]

It looks like May 31- Jun 1 would be my best days to do this. I'd really like to try to try to do the entire trail. It's been a while since I pulled a +20 mile day but I recently did just over 15 in Wisconsin which I suspect is slightly more challenging terrain, based on reports I've read about the Batona.

One thing I am confused about is who long the Baton is. I've read both 50 and 55 miles a multiple sites. Is there an additional loop in there somewhere or a new extension on one of the ends?

[Ramblinrev]

A fair amount of the Batona is sand if I remember right. That's a bear to walk on and very different than piney woods root turf. Don't underestimate NJ sand.