Upcoming Outings

Nov 1 (Wed): Fall Walk at Colonial Park Gardens (Somerset Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. A walk under a canopy to enjoy the fall leaves and colors. Colonial Park Gardens is one of the treasures in Somerset County. It features a 144-acre Arboretum, perennial garden, and much more. We’ll walk on the D&R towpath (surface is sand and crushed stone) to East Millstone to the restored Bridge Tender’s Station and back. Meet at Colonial Park Gardens’ parking lot F. There are facilities. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Rain cancels. Leashed dogs are welcome. Preregistration is required: shorturl.at/blNRS Co-leaders: Sindhu P., spjersey@gmail.com and Leona F., leona@pineypaddlers.com (RV)

Nov 5 (Sun): “Fall Back” Hike—Wharton State Forest, Batsto Mansion, and Village Tour (Atlantic Co.) 10 a.m., 3 miles, easy pace with an option to continue the hike on the 4-mile Batona Trail loop around Batsto Lake. We’ll begin our walk on the Sand and Water Trail that winds along a sandy forest road and into a dense Atlantic white cedar swamp. We will follow a series of wooden foot bridges and the Batona trail back to the visitors center. Interested hikers will continue the hike for another 4-miles around Batsto Lake. Good footwear and hiking poles are recommended. Leashed dogs are welcome. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Rain cancels. There are hourly afternoon tours of the Batsto Mansion. Meet at the Batsto Village visitors center parking lot, 31 Batsto Rd., Hammonton. There are facilities. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders: Tom Boghosian,  tfboghosian44@gmail.com and Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com  (SJ)

Nov 11 (Sat): South Mountain Reservation Hike (Essex Co.) 10 a.m., 6-7 miles, moderate pace. Meeting at the Turtleback Loop Trail parking area off 374 Walker Rd., West Orange. There are facilities. Wear hiking boots and bring hiking poles if needed. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Rain cancels. No dogs, please. Contact the leader to preregister, Ron Pate,  Ronpate31@verizon.net  (G)

Nov 11 (Sat): Rancocas Nature Center and Hike on Veterans Day (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 3 miles easy pace. The Rancocas Nature Center is situated on a 210-acre eastern piece of the Rancocas State Park, and features hiking trails through varied habitats, including meadows, forest, and wetlands. Meeting at 794 Rancocas Mt Holly Rd., Westampton. Website: www.rancocasnaturecenter.org There are facilities. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Preregistration is required. Rain cancels. Dogs are not permitted on the trails. Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com (W)

Nov 11 (Sat): Turkey Mountain Hike, Montville (Morris Co.) 10 a.m., 6 miles, 4 hours in hilly terrain. Features: 100 Steps Trail, Lake Valhalla Lookout, Stone Mansion Ruins, Pyramid Mountain Waterfall, Limestone Quarry. Facilities: Parking lot has a portable toilet. Required: hiking boots and non-cotton hiking socks, backpack with water and lunch. RSVP: shorturl.at/bgwzE Directions will be sent via email to those who RSVP.  Leaders: Jimi Oleksiak, the_hikist@mac.com, and Jerry Ruocco (SS)

Nov 18 (Sat): Hike at Washington Crossing State Park (Mercer Co.)  10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. Meet at the D&R Canal parking lot Rt. 29/River Rd., Titusville, next to the Washington Crossing bridge to PA. Facilities available. Leashed dogs welcome. We’ll take the pedestrian overpass over River Road into the park, and the Scenic Overlook as we walk the Green Dot trail connecting to other trails. Trails may be muddy and rocky with roots in some places. Hiking boots and poles recommended. Bring water and snacks. Option, late lunch at It’s Nutts! Rain cancels. Preregistration required. Co-leaders: Leona F., leona@pineypaddlers.com and Lynn E., lynnebeling@comcast.net  (C)    

Nov 26 (Sun): Thanksgiving weekend hike, Monmouth Battlefield (Monmouth Co.) 10 a.m., 2 - 4 miles at an easy relaxed pace. We'll enjoy the scenery as we hike the green & red trails.  There are some elevations.  The state park is located in the Raritan watershed. Co-leaders: Leona F., leona@pineypaddlers.com and spjersey@gmail.com (732) 675-5869 (RV)

Dec 3 (Sun): Wharton State Forest: Mullica River Yellow Trail (Atlantic Co.) 10 a.m., 4-5 miles, easy pace. The Yellow Trail is a natural sandy trail along the beautiful Mullica River. Our hike will begin at Batsto Village where we’ll hike across the Batsto Lake bridge to the Yellow Trail. The trail travels through a variety of pine barrens forest types and wetlands along the river. On the return from Constable Bridge there’s an option to visit a couple of Mullica beaches. Also, the option to add a trail for participants interested in a longer hike. Good footwear and hiking poles are recommended. Leashed dogs are welcome. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Rain cancels. Meeting at the Batsto Village parking lot, 31 Batsto Rd., Hammonton. Facilities are available. Preregistration is required. Co-leaders Tom Boghosian,  tfboghosian44@gmail.com and Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com (SJ)

Dec 7 (Thurs): Hike at Jakes Branch County Park (Ocean Co.) 10 a.m., 4 miles, easy pace. Jakes Branch has a nature center with hands-on exhibits and an observation deck that offers a 360° view of the Pinelands. Meet at Jakes Branch Park, 1100 Double Trouble Rd., Beechwood. There are facilities. We’ll walk on woods trails with some elevations and flat sandy trails. Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Leashed dogs are welcome. Bring water and snacks. Option, late lunch at Shady Rest Restaurant. Inclement weather cancels. Preregistration required. George & Leona F., leona@pineypaddlers.com  (O)

Dec 9 (Sat): Whitesbog Village Family Hike (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace on sandy trails. Join us for the Whitesbog celebration of the holidays. Handmade arts and crafts exhibitors will be spread throughout the village, kid crafts in the art gallery, live music and even more! Last year tundra swans were on the bogs. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Leashed dogs are welcome. Outdoor facilities available. Preregistration required. Leaders: George & Leona F.,  Leona@pineypaddlers.com  (W)

Dec 9 (Sat): Watchung Reservation Hike, Mountainside (Union Co.) 10 a.m., 6 miles, 4 hours in moderately hilly terrain. Features: The Deserted Village of Feltville, the History Trail, lookouts over Watchung Valley and Surprise Lake. Restrooms available at the parking lot and during the hike. Requirements: hiking boots and non-cotton hiking socks, and a backpack with water and lunch. No pets. RSVP at shorturl.at/bgwzE Directions will be sent via email to those who RSVP. Leaders: Jimi Oleksiak, the_hikist@mac.com, and Jerry Ruocco (SS)

Dec 15 (Fri): Hike at Smith’s Woods and Holiday Tour of Smithville Mansion (Burlington Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. After the hike we’ll tour the mansion, which will be decorated for a Victorian holiday (small fee) by local garden clubs. Meet at Smith's Woods Parking Lot, 39 East Railroad Ave., Easthampton. Facilities are available. Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Bring water and snacks. Option for late lunch at Vincentown Diner. Leashed dogs are welcome. Rain cancels. Preregistration required. George & Leona F., leona@pineypaddlers.com  (W)

Dec 16 (Sat): Hike at Eagle Rock Reservation (Essex Co.)  10 a.m., 4-5 miles, moderate pace. Wear hiking boots. Bring water and snacks. No dogs please. Meet at the main entrance of the Essex County 9/11 Memorial, Prospect and Eagle Rock Avenues, West Orange. There are facilities. Rain cancels. Contact the leader to preregister, Ron Pate, Ronpate31@verizon.net  (G)

Dec 21 (Thurs): First Day of Winter Hike on the D&R Canal (Mercer Co.) 10 a.m., 3-4 miles, easy pace. We’ll hike over Lock 1, “swinging bridge,” as we walk along the towpath; perhaps see bald eagles. Meet at River Line parking lot in Bordentown City. Bring water and snacks. There are no facilities. Leashed dogs are welcome. Option, late lunch at HOB Tavern. Inclement weather cancels. Preregistration is required. Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com (C)

Dec 26-Dec 31:  Patriots Week in Trenton—History of the American Revolution in NJ (Mercer Co.) Learn about the American Revolution during Patriots Week. Every day of the week offers fun and history for the entire family. See the First and Second Battles of Trenton Reenactments and participate in Walking Tours of the Trenton Battlefields. Check website for events www.patriotsweek.com   Contact us to meet for various events. Leona and George F.,  leona@pineypaddlers.com  (C)

Jan 1 (Mon): First Day Hikes in New Jersey’s State Parks and Forests. (New Jersey) Celebrate the New Year with one of the “First Day Hikes” that the Park Service holds across the state. These free guided hikes in state parks, forests, and historic sites are part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program. There are many to choose from, so contact leaders for information after the hikes are posted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Leona and George F., Leona@pineypaddlers.com

Jan 13 (Sat ): Silvermine Lake Ski Hill Hike, Harriman State Park. (Woodbury, NY) Features: The Appalachian Trail, A Lean-To Trail Shelter, The defunct Silvermine Ski Hill, Silvermine Lake, 6 Miles in Hilly Terrain. Jimi Oleksiak oleksiak@mac.com and Jerry Ruocco jerilu@optonline.net (SS)

Feb 10 (Sat ): High Point Cross Country Ski, Montaque, NJ. We expect to take 4-5 hours for fun in the snow. http://www.xcskihighpoint.com/ Jimi Oleksiak oleksiak@mac.com and Jerry Ruocco jerilu@optonline.net (SS)

Mar 9 (Sat ): Sterling Forest Hike, Tuxedo Park, NY  Features:  Sterling Lake, Fire Tower, Lookouts, Historical Sites. Jimi Oleksiak oleksiak@mac.com and Jerry Ruocco jerilu@optonline.net (SS)