Monthly Archives: May 2011

South Mountain’s 2nd Mayapple Festival in Photos

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Chris Casciano

This past Saturday I spent the day in South Mountain Reservation wandering around the 2nd Annual Mayapple Festival. The day featured 3 separate guided hikes through the park, organized around a festival area at Summit Field that included an art show, live music, an educational booth run by the Essex County Environmental Center, and some other informational booths. All in all, a fun day for people of all ages, and some great weather. Hike 1: Summit Field to Washington Rock The morning started with a early hike out to Washington Rock and the overlook to the south at the Watchungs. The walk wandered a bit covering some unofficial trails and … Continue reading →

Posted in Event, Trip Report | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Two BIG Outdoor Events This Saturday

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Chris Casciano

There are two big events this weekend that should get the attention of both the walking crowd and those speedier trail runners. Saturday, May 21st in the middle of the state is the return of the NJ2NY50—a 50 mile, one day, walk from Metropark to New York City celebrating the East Coast Greenway. In Essex County, there is also the 2nd Annual Mayapple Festival in South Mountain Reservation, featuring much shorter walks around the park trails, but also an ultra-marathon in distances from 100k to a shorter 10mile trail race. NJ2NY50 The NJ2NY50 is a 50 mile walk along the East Coast Greenway and Liberty Water Gap Trails from NJ … Continue reading →

Posted in Event | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Small Parks: Loantaka Brook Reservation

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Chris Casciano

Last weekend I had a nice little bike ride through the densely wooded, paved paths at Morris County’s Loantaka Brook Reservation. Adjacent to Chatham, Harding & Morris, the park is 570 acres and includes 8+ miles of all purposed paved trails, at least 6 miles of dirt hiking trails, a pond, ballfields, and picnic areas. Located near the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and Lord Stirling Park the terrain is a similar fairly flat roll through woods and wetlands. Park Information For more information on Loantaka Brook Reservation, Direction and Trail Maps see these sites: Morris County Parks Commission’s Loantaka Page NYNJTC’s Loantaka page Listing of Park Entrance Locations Trip … Continue reading →

Posted in Guides, Trip Report | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment