NJ>Last-minute Pine Barrens Lower Forge Hang>June 16

[SilvrSurfr]

Last-minute hike Batsto to Lower Forge in the Pine Barrens. Started a thread on a 6/15 Mullica River Wilderness Campsite but I can't make that date due to coaching a Little League Baseball game that evening.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ad.php?t=73919

So, now we're going to depart 3pm Sun 6/16 to hike from Batsto Village to Mullica River Wilderness Campsite, then take the crossover trail to Quaker Bridge and camp at Lower Forge. Maybe even take a detour to Beaver Pond if the flesh is willing.

Plenty of campsites available if anyone wants to join; apparently nobody camps in the Pine Barrens on a Sunday night. Here's campsite info about Wharton State Forest:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandf...rton.html#camp

Campsites can be reserved here:

http://www.reserveamerica.com/campin...ex=CampingSpot

Batona trail map here - from Batsto it's yellow to blue to pink trail to Lower Forge.

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

This is my favorite hike in the Pine Barrens. It's about 7.5 miles one way, and you get to see historic Batsto Village, then hike along Batsto Lake and Mullica River, then camp at Lower Forge by the Batsto River. There are 75% less ticks hiking this way to Lower Forge, rather than taking the Batona Trail the whole way. I'm all about the ticks.

The daughter wants to chow on a dinner of filet mignon fajitas, and bacon and eggs for breakfast, so this is not an ultralight trip. It's gonna be fun.

[SilvrSurfr]

I snagged site LF004 - had to phone a friend (Silent Orpheus) to help me remember the darned site. They charged me $7 to change my reservation from Mullica 6/15 to Lower Forge 6/16. I don't like this new system.

[Deadphans]

I would live to go, especiallysince the sun is finally shining. Unfortunately I am not feeling to great. Hope you have a good time!

[Ratdog]

New system sucks.

Best to do some stuff in person if possible but they only allow same day reservations or changes.

Claire at Atsion is cool, others not as much.

I rented a site for 2 extra days at $3/day in person instead of using the system. All they do is punch it in to the Reserve America site anyway.

Have a great time at LF, we are on the other side of the road at Goshen but we will be walking around.

[natureboy68]

That's the exact route and site I'm gonna do in July! How is the water at LF? Treat/filter? Still have work on Monday (grading regents) so can't go, have a great Father's Day hike!! BTW-where is beaver pond?

[silentorpheus]

That's the exact route and site I'm gonna do in July! How is the water at LF? Treat/filter? Still have work on Monday (grading regents) so can't go, have a great Father's Day hike!! BTW-where is beaver pond?

Lower Forge has no water pump - but it's right next to the Batsto River, so bring a filter and you're fine. It's cedar water - so the color is a little on the 'weak tea' side, but it tastes great.

Beaver Pond is 2.7 miles South East of Atsion ranger station, along the Mullica River Trail. From Lower Forge, you'd need to head back south about a mile to Quaker Bridge, then take the Beaver Pond/Quakerbridge trail (purple blazes) for 1.7 miles where it meets back up with the Mullica River Trail, and Beaver Pond is right there.

[silentorpheus]

Whippoorwills in the trees above us, and coyotes in the distance. It's a loud night here at lower forge.

Happy Father's Day!