Category Archives: Guides

Small Parks: Loantaka Brook Reservation

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

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My Reading List: Warding Off Cabin Fever

A new stack of guide books for local trails just landed on my doorstep. Winter in the northeast is great for winter fun – hiking, snowshoeing, downhill or cross country skiing, or just sledding with the kids. When the end of winter comes quicker then expected we can look fondly back on days like we had last week. Then there are days like yesterday–full of slush, cold rain, and–where you don’t want to go out unless you absolutely must. Though I hope those days are short I’ve picked up a bunch of new or updated guide books to flip though and dream up new adventures come spring as well as … Continue reading

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New Jersey Monthly does the Appalachian Trail

Just in time for fall where the trail may be a bit less congested and the views of foliage near peak New Jersey Monthly carried quite a nice writeup of a typical day on the Appalachian Trail as it winds through New Jersey from the Delaware Water Gap to the New York border. In it the author, David Caldwell, catches up with a few hikers and trail maintainers, and describes his day hike and sites along the trail. Experienced hikers may find themselves nodding along or getting the urge to go out themselves, but its also a good intro for what to expect if you haven’t been to the area. … Continue reading

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