NJ Atsion to Batona camp shortcut?

[natureboy68]

for the NJ experts, just studying maps, noticed that there is an (abandoned?) RR bed from Atsion to Batona trail near Batona camp (highlighted in blue)
Atsion to Batona camp RR shortcut.png
is it possible to hike the RR bed (straight run, hard to get lost!) from Atsion to Batona? then Batona to lower forge, then back to Atsion
I notice the RR crosses Batso river and other waters, are there crossings?
just seemed a good way to get a loop hike in...maybe I'm crazy...

[SilvrSurfr]

I've actually hiked that abandoned railroad, but only from Hampton Furnace to Batona. It seemed like a well-used hiking path.

A few years ago at the NJ Winter Hang, me, Kayak Karl and several others decided to hike from Batona to see the Hampton Furnace ruins. We tried using roads but they were all flooded. We ended up bushwhacking most of the way to Hampton Furnace. On the way back we took the abandoned railroad - it was about the only part of the Pine Barrens that weren't flooded. Kayak Karl pulled a few railroad spikes and gave each of us one, as a memento of our hike.

[SilvrSurfr]

Having paddled the Batsto once and the Mullica twice in the last few weeks, I can tell you that railroad definitely crosses both rivers. The bridges look to be in good shape so you shouldn't have any problem crossing.

[natureboy68]

hmmm...sounds doable then! would make for a good three nighter: batona, lower forge/mullica river, atsion...I might shoot for august, that way if there are water crossing, I won't freeze! and get a jersey mike sub

[Ratdog]

Yes.
Guess the achilles is healing nicely, quite the walk planned.

[silentorpheus]

It looks as if that railroad you're talking about meets and or crosses the mullica river trail, south of Atsion. I'm not recalling in my mind crossing a railroad on that trail … what am I forgetting?

[natureboy68]

all this down time gives me lots of time to study and research...hopefully by august, the heel is ready to go! I'm finally off the crutches, just gotta build up the muscles again...

[SilvrSurfr]

It looks as if that railroad you're talking about meets and or crosses the mullica river trail, south of Atsion. I'm not recalling in my mind crossing a railroad on that trail … what am I forgetting?

I don't think it crosses, but it terminates somewhere nearby.

[silentorpheus]

I don't think it crosses, but it terminates somewhere nearby.

Ah. That might explain it.

I can't say it doesn't cross … I just don't remember crossing any tracks. On the trail, or on Quaker Bridge Road.

[SilvrSurfr]

I used to think I was an honorary piney, but now I think I'm a full-fledged piney. Natureboy68 asks about some abandoned railroad and I've actually hiked it?

That's the sign of a true piney.