SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION

GUIDED WALKS

Sponsored by the South Mountain Conservancy

 

Summer 2008

Explore and get to know this beautiful park better. All events are free and there is no need to register. Just come to the meeting point a little before the starting time Steady rain automatically cancels a walk. Intermittent showers do not. Call the leader with questions. All hikes are good for children 10 and over with their families. Younger children may come with their families when indicated. Ending times are estimates which might prove wrong due to the weather or the particular group participating. Notice that there are three Monday hikes for very young children: July 7, 14, and 21. And for the first time we are trying an evening walk (July 27). See www.somocon.org

 

July 5 (Sat): 9:30 - 11:30: THREE DAMS & PONDS: We will walk for about 3 miles at an easy pace along the Rahway River passed Diamond Mill Pond, Campbell’s Pond, and an old farm pond.. Good for families with children 6 and older. Meet at Locust Grove, off of Glen Ave. in Millburn opposite the First Aid Station and the Library. Leader: Dave Hogenauer 973-762-1475 (day of hike only: cell # 973-901-0824)

 

July 6 (Sun): 10-12 noon: OAKDALE LOOP: A stroll of about 4 miles at a moderate pace with only one moderately up-hill section. Meet at Oakdale Picnic Grove off of Cherry Lane, about 0.3 miles south of the light on Northfield Ave., or one mile north of the light on South Orange Ave. Leader: Lou Nocito: 973-953-7099 (cell).

 

July 7 (Mon.): 9:30 - 10:30 : TURTLE BACK ROCK: We will walk at an easy pace to the rock where Lenapi Indians believed the new world was formed. The Lenapi creation story will be told. Good for children 4 and older. Meet at the Turtle Back Rock picnic grove, off of Walker Rd.. in West Orange. Driving east about 0.3 miles beyond the Zoo, turn right at the traffic light onto Walker Rd. Go 0.2 miles to the entry road into the park. Leader: Dave Hogenauer 973-762-1475 (cell # 973-901-0824 on day of hike)

 

July 14 (Mon.): 9:30-11:00: HEMLOCK FALLS: Good for families with children 4 and older. We will walk about one and a half miles at an easy pace ending up at famous Hemlock Falls where we will pause for a snack (bring one). Meet at Tulip Springs, off of Cherry Valley Way. From the light on S. Orange Ave., turn north for about 0.4 miles, then turn right. From Northfield Ave., the turn is 0.8 miles to the left. Immediately after turning bear right to the parking area. Leader: Dave Hogenauer 973-762-1475 (cell # 973-901-0824 - day of hike only)

 

July 19 (Sat.): 10-12 noon: ELMDALE: This is one of the most pleasant trails in the entire park: smooth under foot with only slight up-hills. About 4 miles at a moderate pace. Meet at Locust Grove opposite the First Aid Station on Glen Ave., in Millburn. Leader: Lou Nocito 973-953-7099.

 

July 21 (Mon): 9:30-11:00: OLD SHORT HILLS PARK SECTION: Good for families with children 4 and over. We will meander passed the swan pond and the estate farm into S. Mt. Reservation from a very different angle, covering about one and a half miles at an easy pace. Meet in the parking lot of Old Short Hills Park, #274 Old Short Hills Rd. in Millburn. (stone pillars form the entryway). Drive 0.9 miles from the light on South Orange Ave. or 1.3 miles from the light on either Essex or Millburn Ave. in the center of Millburn. The park is on the east side of the road. Leader: Dave Hogenauer 973-762-1475 (cell # 973-901-0824 on day of hike only).

 

July 26 (Sat): 9:30-12:00: DOGWOOD HILL - GLEN AVE. CIRCULAR: We will hike about 5 miles in a circular path over pleasant trails overlooking the Rahway River, crossing it at Painters Point and Glen Ave., and returning via the beautiful, smooth Elmdale Trail. Taken at a moderate to fast pace. Meet at Dogwood Hill on Brookside Dr. in a parking area at the foot of a grassy field 0.6 miles south of the light on South"Orange Ave. or one mile north of the light on Glen Ave. Leader: Dave Hogenauer, 973-0762-1475 (cell# 973-901=00824 on day of hike only)

 

July 27 (Sun): 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: COOL OF THE EVENING RIVER WALK: Something new: an evening walk. We will take a pleasant stroll at an easy to moderate pace through the pine grove and then along the Rahway River for about 2 miles. OK for children 8 and older. Meet at Tulip Springs, off of Cherry Lane 0.4 miles north of S. Orange Ave., or 1 mile south of Northfield Ave. Bear right immediately after turning off of Cherry La. Leader: Dave Hogenauer 973-762-1475 (cell # 973-901-0824 on afternoon of hike only).

 

August 3 (Sun) 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: TURTLE BACK TRAIL: Hike the newly rerouted Turtle Back Trail in its entirety. About 4 miles at a moderate pace. Meet at the Turtle Back Rock picnic grove, off of Walker Rd. 0.1 mile in from the traffic light on Northfield Ave. a little east of Turtle Back Zoo. Leader: Lou Nocito 973-953-7099 (cell).