NJ Pine Barrens Overnight - Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov 24-25)

Thinking about heading out for a quick overnight next weekend. Figure a hike in the woods in the nice brisk November air will do wonders for working off all the food I'll have eaten a few days before.

My current plan is to start at the Batsto station, and head towards the Lower Forge camp. Either on the Batona trail, or head up the Mullica River trail and cut over. I'll start Saturday late morning or early afternoon. It's only about 7.3 miles - but I'm out of shape, so I'm gonna take my time, and enjoy the scenery. I'll hang at Lower Forge, and head back out the next morning, likely on whichever of the two trails I didn't come in on.

Any and all are welcome - I'm planning on going regardless. If you want to do more mileage, I'm sure there are other options that could or would land you at Lower Forge.

OK I will bite.. would a springer dog be OK?

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Originally Posted by Wise Old Owl

OK I will bite.. would a springer dog be OK?

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according to the NJ State website for Wharton State Forest, Lower Forge is a pet friendly camp site. I think you just have to register them at the ranger station. Don't quote me on that, though. I don't have a dog, nor have I actually stayed at Lower Forge before.

Kayak Karl would be a better person to ask about dogs and the Batona Trail campsites.

I'm aiming to join you unless the wife finds a way to thwart my plans.

I might join you as well...let me see my work schedule and take a look at the weather.

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Originally Posted by Deadphans

I might join you as well...let me see my work schedule and take a look at the weather.

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I haven't found any weather forecasts for the Pine Barrens to be reliable. I've seen it rain all night when the forecast said zero percent chance of rain, and not a drop with 100% chance of rain.

Would be great to meet you if you can make it!

surprise surprise, I will be in NJ visiting family, and I would love to join you!

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Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I'm aiming to join you unless the wife finds a way to thwart my plans.

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Mine already tried. I made sure to clear it with her first ... or so I thought. Then earlier I was talking about how it would be a chilly night in the woods ... she was like "You're going overnight? I thought you were just going hiking for the day!"

But in the end my plan is un-thwarted. :shades:

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Originally Posted by matthiastrek

surprise surprise, I will be in NJ visiting family, and I would love to join you!

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Now I can definitely thwart my wife's plans to thwart my plans! I'll tell her a friend is flying all the way from Canada to hike with SilvrSurfr!

I'd join you Silentorpheus but I already have plans Saturday night. Going to the Operation Hat Trick game in AC.

Have fun. :D

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Originally Posted by silentorpheus

Thinking about heading out for a quick overnight next weekend. Figure a hike in the woods in the nice brisk November air will do wonders for working off all the food I'll have eaten a few days before.

My current plan is to start at the Batsto station, and head towards the Lower Forge camp. Either on the Batona trail, or head up the Mullica River trail and cut over. I'll start Saturday late morning or early afternoon. It's only about 7.3 miles - but I'm out of shape, so I'm gonna take my time, and enjoy the scenery. I'll hang at Lower Forge, and head back out the next morning, likely on whichever of the two trails I didn't come in on.

Any and all are welcome - I'm planning on going regardless. If you want to do more mileage, I'm sure there are other options that could or would land you at Lower Forge.

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Anyone planning on hiking in on Friday? I was thinking of a test hang before heading up to the NEHHA and this would be a great chance.

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Originally Posted by fishbait

Anyone planning on hiking in on Friday? I was thinking of a test hang before heading up to the NEHHA and this would be a great chance.

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I'm up in North Jersey at the inlaws Thursday, staying over Friday. Won't be back until later Friday night. Otherwise I would have loved to make this a two day weekend trip. But if you wanted you could always solo Friday, and hike from wherever you end up staying over to Lower Forge to meet up with us Saturday. :D

Man this sounds great but I promised the wife I would paint the LR & DR this weekend. Maybe she will understand that the great outdoors are calling...again.

The wifes working and I just talked my boys into going so count me in.

Where exactly is this? I'm in Little Ferry and if I don't have to work the weekend I'd be interested.

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Originally Posted by fishbait

Anyone planning on hiking in on Friday? I was thinking of a test hang before heading up to the NEHHA and this would be a great chance.

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Wait, you mean you would rather be out in the woods than camping in a best buy line for the newest gadget?

Ss i'm looking forward to meeting you too. Maybe carpool?

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Originally Posted by mortonjl

Where exactly is this? I'm in Little Ferry and if I don't have to work the weekend I'd be interested.

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Exit 52, New Gretna, on the Garden State Parkway, then follow the signs to Batsto Village. Don't bother with Mapquest or Google Maps or any of those online directions. They'll send you on a wild goose chase - just follow the signs.

http://www.batstovillage.org

At Batsto Village office (closes 4 pm) you can get a camping permit for Lower Forge ($3 for residents, $5 for out-of-staters, I think). They also have maps of the Batona Trail and Mullica River Wilderness Trail, either of which are suitable for getting to Lower Forge.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandf...atona14web.pdf

I prefer taking the Mullica River Wilderness trail 'cause there's less ticks (not a problem this time of year), and I don't get lost on that trail as much because it doesn't switch back on itself and is better marked. The Mullica trail is much less overgrown than that section of the Batona (hence less ticks). There's also a water pump at Mullica River Wilderness campsite (4 miles in) so you can fill up on water if you don't want to filter.

Do you have an approximate time you will bgin hiking?

Room for 2 more??

Russ and I have never done the Piney Hike!! You leaving bread crumbs Silver Surfer??:tonguesmilie:

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Originally Posted by fishbait

Anyone planning on hiking in on Friday? I was thinking of a test hang before heading up to the NEHHA and this would be a great chance.

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I think Russ and I will also hike in Friday. We dont do black friday!!! Brrrrr...:scared: We were planning the Catskills Fri-Sun but this will be new for us! And no ticks??? WINNING!!!!:shades:

How are these trails blazed? Markers? Sorry, I am such a noob....

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Originally Posted by jerzybears

How are these trails blazed? Markers? Sorry, I am such a noob....

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Don't feel bad, I'm wondering the same thing.

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Originally Posted by jerzybears

How are these trails blazed? Markers? Sorry, I am such a noob....

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On the Batona Trail, the trees are blazed with a lovely pink. The Mullica River trail is yellow. Like I said before, I kind of prefer taking the Mullica River trail 'cause I just don't get lost as much.

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Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

On the Batona Trail, the trees are blazed with a lovely pink. The Mullica River trail is yellow. Like I said before, I kind of prefer taking the Mullica River trail 'cause I just don't get lost as much.

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Hey Silver..do you or perhaps KK have the garmin waypoints for the mulica river trail?

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Originally Posted by jerzybears

Hey Silver..do you or perhaps KK have the garmin waypoints for the mulica river trail?

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I don't have a GPS. KK has posted the Garmin waypoints for the Batona Trail in this thread:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=62693

Very little chance of getting lost on the Mullica River trail, even without a GPS. It's well marked. Bonus is that the trail goes through Batsto Village so you get to check that out. I just prefer the Mullica River trail to reach Lower Forge but that's strictly personal preference. Nothing wrong with the Batona Trail to reach Lower Forge - I just like the scenery along the Mullica River a bit better, and there's also a water pump at the Mullica campsite for easy fill-up before doing the final 3 miles to Lower Forge.

Dogs are no problem. just need their licence (any state) and rabies. tags are fine. dogs are $5 people $3 :)
have a great time. i MIGHT? :) hike in from rt30 where my son lives.

There's a closed section of the Mullica River Trail because a bridge is out but I no longer take the detour. The bridge was a joke and the river has never been deep enough to even take my shoes off to cross it (though I would if necessary). It's a pretty section of the trail, well worth seeing.

I take the closed section of the Mullica River trail in this video at the 11:00 minute mark. You can see how difficult it is for me to cross the river, as well as the wreckage of the bridge.

SilvrSurfr seems to think that there's a decent amount of wood to be found, perhaps not at the cam, but on the way in. Assuming we can get a fire, we could think about making this like a 501 Hang, and bring in real food. Could be fun to cook red meat on an open fire, rather than eat dehydrated food from a bag ... thoughts?

Filet mignon fajitas! Cook garlic, onions, bell peppers, olive oil and chili powder in aluminum foil, the filet mignon on a stick. Voila! We can also bring refritos frijoles and tortillas for a rib-sticking dinner.

it is Bow hunting season:D

Jersey represent!

Tentative list of hikers:

Friday:

fishbait
jerzybears

Saturday:

SilentOrpheus
SilvrSurfr
Deadphans
njredneck + 2?
Chris K
matthiastrek
mortonjl
kayak karl
Barack Obama + 3 (Not counting Secret Service)
John Boehner (he's gonna cry around the campfire)
Nancy Pelosi (her face is gonna freeze at the campfire)
General Petreaus (he's using strictly female insulation, no down)

If nobody else shows up, I know SilentOrpheus will. I've had the discussion with the wife and she says, "I don't care what the hell you do," before laying down a bunch of honey-do stuff that has to be done before I depart, as well as the obligatory Catholic guilt trip stuff that seems to work really well on fellow Catholics but rolls off my back like water off a duck. I was raised Episcopal - we weren't even taught the concept of guilt!

Looking forward to getting out on the trail and forgetting what Hurricane Sandy has done to my town and my home. Can't wait!

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Originally Posted by Deadphans

Do you have an approximate time you will bgin hiking?

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Not sure, but I was thinking of trying to be on the trail by noon. It's a 7.3 mile hike, and I know I'm going to be slow. I figure leaving Batsto by 12 should put me at lower forge before dark. :) chances are I'm exaggerating how out of shape I am, and I'll get there quicker ... In which case that just means more time at camp.

That's what I had kicking around in my head. We'll see how that changes over the next few days.

Me and my 2 boys will most likely get an early start around 10 or so. My youngest is real slow and will probably need to take a few breaks along the way. Also I know that I'm out of shape.

Looking forward to meeting everyone. See you in the woods.


Mike

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Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Jersey represent!

Tentative list of hikers:

Friday:

fishbait
jerzybears

Saturday:

SilentOrpheus
SilvrSurfr
Deadphans
njredneck + 2?
Chris K
matthiastrek
mortonjl
kayak karl
Barack Obama + 3 (Not counting Secret Service)
John Boehner (he's gonna cry around the campfire)
Nancy Pelosi (her face is gonna freeze at the campfire)
General Petreaus (he's using strictly female insulation, no down)

If nobody else shows up, I know SilentOrpheus will. I've had the discussion with the wife and she says, "I don't care what the hell you do," before laying down a bunch of honey-do stuff that has to be done before I depart, as well as the obligatory Catholic guilt trip stuff that seems to work really well on fellow Catholics but rolls off my back like water off a duck. I was raised Episcopal - we weren't even taught the concept of guilt!

Looking forward to getting out on the trail and forgetting what Hurricane Sandy has done to my town and my home. Can't wait!

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You forgot Jabba and his trademark Fleece :D

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Originally Posted by kayak karl

it is Bow hunting season:D

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I guess I shouldn't consider wearing a set of these then :D

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Originally Posted by silentorpheus

SilvrSurfr seems to think that there's a decent amount of wood to be found, perhaps not at the cam, but on the way in. Assuming we can get a fire, we could think about making this like a 501 Hang, and bring in real food. Could be fun to cook red meat on an open fire, rather than eat dehydrated food from a bag ... thoughts?

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Dude if I can I'll bring in chicken, cheese, peppers, rice, salsa, and lime pepper tortillas!

Good thing I'm not staying Saturday Night, a guy'll get fat hang with all of you. :laugh:

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Originally Posted by fishbait

You forgot Jabba and his trademark Fleece :D

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I didn't invite Governor Jabba the Hutt and his XXXXXL fleece, but I did invite Lt. Governor Guadagno. She's kinda cute.

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Originally Posted by silentorpheus

Not sure, but I was thinking of trying to be on the trail by noon. It's a 7.3 mile hike, and I know I'm going to be slow. I figure leaving Batsto by 12 should put me at lower forge before dark. :) chances are I'm exaggerating how out of shape I am, and I'll get there quicker ... In which case that just means more time at camp.

That's what I had kicking around in my head. We'll see how that changes over the next few days.

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I probably won't get there till 1:00 pm, which means I should catch Silent Orpheus around mile marker 2 by 3 pm. I'll probably find him lying down exhausted beside the trail, offering to pay day hikers to carry his pack to Lower Forge.

Hey, this sounds like a great idea for a business venture: Piney Sherpas! Indigenous Jersey Rednecks who have never visited the dentist will carry your pack for you as you explore the beauty of the Pine Barrens!

I'll be joining the friday crew. I have to work saturday night. Maybe i'll meet some of you folks on my way out.

Do we pay the park fee at the Atsion Ranger Station?

pay at Batsto. i think Atsion is closed for season. you can pay by phone 609-561-0024. just tell them you know Kaia :)

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Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I haven't found any weather forecasts for the Pine Barrens to be reliable. I've seen it rain all night when the forecast said zero percent chance of rain, and not a drop with 100% chance of rain.

Would be great to meet you if you can make it!

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You had to mention the "R" word. Saw the weather forecast for Saturday, a chance of showers. :lol:

Hammonton, NJ 08037 says 0% thru Sunday :)

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Originally Posted by kayak karl

Hammonton, NJ 08037 says 0% thru Sunday :)

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And ya gotta love the predicted low for Saturday night of 27 degrees. That's prime sleeping weather!

Oi, that's definitely pushing my gear to the limit...I only have an overstuffed tewa breeze rated around 35.

Darn, last I checked it said 41 as the night time low.

Looks like my friend, legendary curmudgeon KYBob, will also be joining us. One more for the party!

He will regale us with tales of how he uses KY Jelly to make whoopie slings.

I really think meatorologists spin a wheel to produce a weather report.

Russell and I will leave our raingear home so that guarantees rain!