NJ>Lower Forge>7/12/14>1st Annual GSHDANJ Blueberry Hang

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-19-2014, 12:59

Originally Posted by Black Foot

I'd be interested in this...maybe Tinkr can come too. Like to hike in but little wary of ticks this time of year in the Pine Barrens (and everywhere else in the mid-Atlantic). Hate those little blood suckers

We call this "gargle with permethrin" season in the Pine Barrens, and ticks love blueberry bushes more than bears or humans do. I'm even gonna treat my thong for this trip!

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-19-2014, 13:38

Originally Posted by Ratdog

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. Just wasn't sure about the walk out of Mullica towards Batsto, was thinking it might get bushy along there. But the hike from Atsion to Mullica River Campsite, not so bushy, nice walk, just not a lot of blueberries.

I do need to scout the other side of the river from Mullica River Campsite, that may hold some promise and there are a few old roads on that side.

The walk from Mullica to Batsto is decidedly non-bushy, whether you take the detour (all roads) or the old Mullica trail where the bridge washed out. In fact, the reason I usually hike from Atsion or up the Mullica River trail to reach Lower Forge is because of the lack of bushes (and ticks). The terrain is mostly grassland under the pines. If the goal is blueberries, Mullica River just can't hold a candle to Lower Forge - it's Blueberry (and Tick) Central.

Originally Posted by Ratdog

We can sherpa into the parking area near Lower Forge. (unofficial, non sanctioned, non protected parking area) And that's about a 10 minute walk into camp. Could also paddle upstream from Quaker Bridge to get to Lower Forge, shouldn't take too long.

Not sure if I'm bringing my canoe - probably not, but if I do I'd drop in at Quaker Bridge and paddle upstream. I don't want to spend 6-10 hours paddling from Hampton Furnace in low-water conditions. The upper Batsto would be a major pain this time of year. All my canoe trips on the Batsto/Mullica have been at a flood stage between 1.15 feet and 3.5 feet. In July you can expect to see a .5 ft. flood stage - the upper Batsto would be unimaginably brutal.

I know SilentOrpheus and I have done recon on Lower Forge and that sites 4, 5, 6 and 7 are best for hammocks, but I'm not sure if 10 hammocks is the most we could get into Lower Forge. Seems kinda low. Wish we had a video tour.

**Wilson** · 06-19-2014, 14:08

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

The walk from Mullica to Batsto is decidedly non-bushy, whether you take the detour (all roads) or the old Mullica trail where the bridge washed out. In fact, the reason I usually hike from Atsion or up the Mullica River trail to reach Lower Forge is because of the lack of bushes (and ticks). The terrain is mostly grassland under the pines. If the goal is blueberries, Mullica River just can't hold a candle to Lower Forge - it's Blueberry (and Tick) Central.

Not sure if I'm bringing my canoe - probably not, but if I do I'd drop in at Quaker Bridge and paddle upstream. I don't want to spend 6-10 hours paddling from Hampton Furnace in low-water conditions. The upper Batsto would be a major pain this time of year. All my canoe trips on the Batsto/Mullica have been at a flood stage between 1.15 feet and 3.5 feet. In July you can expect to see a .5 ft. flood stage - the upper Batsto would be unimaginably brutal.

I know SilentOrpheus and I have done recon on Lower Forge and that sites 4, 5, 6 and 7 are best for hammocks, but I'm not sure if 10 hammocks is the most we could get into Lower Forge. Seems kinda low. Wish we had a video tour.

Tadaaaaa! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBSxc3DW3z4

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-19-2014, 14:26

Originally Posted by Wilson

Tadaaaaa! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBSxc3DW3z4

Thanks. I posted that over in our "Best Hanging Sites" thread.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...le-for-Hanging

**natureboy68** · 06-19-2014, 14:31

some things cannot be unseen...

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

We call this "gargle with permethrin" season in the Pine Barrens, and ticks love blueberry bushes more than bears or humans do. I'm even gonna treat my thong for this trip!

**Wilson** · 06-19-2014, 14:40

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Thanks. I posted that over in our "Best Hanging Sites" thread.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...le-for-Hanging

You're welcome. That's good to know

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-19-2014, 14:51

Originally Posted by Wilson

You're welcome. That's good to know

Once the ReserveAmerica system was implemented they put fire rings at every campsite and came through and hacked down a bunch of trees (as you can see by all the stumps in Ratdog's video). All the Pine Barrens campsites were a lot more hammock friendly before they came in and murdered all those trees.

**Wilson** · 06-19-2014, 15:09

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Once the ReserveAmerica system was implemented they put fire rings at every campsite and came through and hacked down a bunch of trees (as you can see by all the stumps in Ratdog's video). All the Pine Barrens campsites were a lot more hammock friendly before they came in and murdered all those trees.

Those responsible should be tied to a tree and Whoopie Slung!

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-19-2014, 16:35

Looking at Ratdog's video, I think we could get more than 10 hammocks in Lower Forge. With a few continuous loops or dogbones, I can easily hang between trees 20 ft. apart (in my backyard I hang between anchors 25 ft. apart).

Stalker42 said over in the "best hanging sites" thread that he got three hammocks on site one to the left of the pullout (though the camera doesn't pan over enough to see this). Site two doesn't look totally useless - might be able to get two or three hammocks in there. Might need to recon Lower Forge again!

**silentorpheus** · 06-19-2014, 16:39

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Looking at Ratdog's video, I think we could get more than 10 hammocks in Lower Forge. With a few continuous loops or dogbones, I can easily hang between trees 20 ft. apart (in my backyard I hang between anchors 25 ft. apart).

Stalker42 said over in the "best hanging sites" thread that he got three hammocks on site one to the left of the pullout (though the camera doesn't pan over enough to see this). Site two doesn't look totally useless - might be able to get two or three hammocks in there. Might need to recon Lower Forge again!

Yeah, my estimates for Lower Forge are conservative. Like I said, we had 8 using dies 4-6, and we might have been able to squeeze one max 2 more in there somewhere around the fire pit. To do any more, you'd have to book most of the camp. Then again, that's not outside the realm of the NJ crew.

Either way, I'm probably out for this one, as I think I have to travel to KY for business that Monday. But we'll see ...