Norvin Green State Forest

Where: Norvin Green State Forest, Bloomingdale
More Info: Admission is FREE. Open daily sunrise to sunset.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

Norvin Green forest is located near the Wanaque Reservoir in Bloomingdale. There are many trails, of varying difficulty, built from former logging roads and constructed by volunteers. Some of the trails lead to the Weis Ecology Center. At the highest elevation of 1,300 feet, hikers are treated with scenic vistas of the NYC skyline and Lake Sonoma.

Directions:

Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow Skyline Drive to Greenwood Lake Turnpike to West Brook Road to Snake Den Road. Follow signs to Weis Ecology Center. Parking is available at Weis Ecology Center or along Burnt Meadow Road and Glen Wild Road.

Trails:

Norvin Green State Forest has a number of trails of varying length and difficulty which are listed on the official website. A map of the forest can be found here.

TRAILS:	LENGTH (miles)	RATING
Caris Hill (Yellow blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Hewitt-Butler (Blue blazes)	5.5 miles	Difficult
Lower (White blazes)	1.5 miles	Medium
Macopin (White blazes)	1.0 miles	Easy
Mine (Yellow blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Otter Hole (Green blazes)	1.5 miles	Medium
Post Brook (White blazes)	1.0 miles	Medium
Torne (Red blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Wyanokie Circular (Red blazes)	4.0 miles	Difficult
Wyanokie Crest (Yellow blazes)	5.0 miles	Difficult

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center

Where: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Englewood
More Info: Admission is free. The park is open for hiking every day from dawn to dusk. Building Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekends 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

This is a fun, family friendly hike located in Englewood. We hiked this trail in the winter and the views at the top were still amazing. There is a nature center that contains many interesting exhibits as well as providing programs for young and older children. Picnic areas are provided.

According to the official website "There are many discoveries to be made as you walk along Flat Rock Brooks 3.6 miles of trails. In the spring, wildflowers pop up in unexpected places. You may discover the nest of a Great Horned Owl high in the treetops or see a parade of deer walking by. In the summer sun you will certainly see turtles basking on a log in Quarry Pond and, if you walk along the edge of the pond, you may see a bullfrog peering back at you. In the fall, the woods are rich with color and migrating birds take refuge here on their way to warmer climates. In winter, look for and try to identify the tracks of animals in the snow or mud and notice which birds make Flat Rock Brook their winter home."

Directions:

From New York City:
Cross the George Washington Bridge. Take Route 4. Exit at Jones Rd. Proceed North (right) on Jones Road one block to Van Nostrand Avenue. Turn right, travel four blocks up the hill to the Nature Center entrance at the end of the street.

From the West:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike North (Route 95 North) Take Exit 71 at Broad Avenue, Englewood. Proceed North (right) on Broad Avenue to second traffic light at Van Nostrand Avenue. Turn right, proceed up the hill, cross Jones Road, and continue four more blocks to the Nature Center entrance at the end of the street.

From the South:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike North (Route 95 North) toward the George Washington Bridge, using local lanes. Take Exit 71 at Broad Avenue, Englewood. Proceed North (right) on Broad Avenue to the second traffic light at Van Nostrand Avenue. Turn right, proceed up the hill, across Jones Road, and continue four more blocks to the Nature Center entrance at the end of the street.

From the North:
Palisades Parkway or Route 9W to Exit 1, Palisade Avenue, Englewood. Turn right, go down hill to Jones Road (left turn), make a left turn onto Van Nostrand Avenue and proceed up the hill to the Nature Center entrance at the end of the street.

For directions by bus click here.

Trail map:

Trail map can be found here.

Pochuck Boardwalk

Where: Pochuck Boardwalk, Vernon
More Info: The trail takes about 1 1/2 hrs to complete.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

The Pochuck Boardwalk and bridge is located in Vernon, NJ. Described "as an area of solitude and escape from civilization," the trail offers hikers scenic views across the Appalachian Trail. When FrugalNJ hiked this trail, it was on a very hot day and we were unable to complete it, but we were able to take pictures of the outstanding views of the mountains.

According to NYNJTC.org, "The mile-long boardwalk, with its 110 foot long wooden suspension bridge forms a section of the Appalachian Scenic Trail, between the Pochuck and Wawayanda Mountains. It was built to provide a hikers of all ages and abilities with a safe off-road alternative to the 2.1-mile stretch of narrow, winding local Route 517, formerly the only connection between two sections of the AT."

Directions:

From southern NJ:

1. Rt 23 North to Rt 94 North
2. Continue on Rt 94 to Maple grange Road
3. Turn west to Canal Road north. Eastern end of Boardwalk begins here.

Or

1. Rt 94 orth to Price's Switch Road
2. Turn left onto Bucky Lane to Boardwalk.

Parking:

Canal Road and Bucky Lane, off Price's Switch Road.

Note: there is no parking at the western entrance to the Boardwalk. Pedestrian traffic crosses County Route 517 from the western end of the trail onto the Boardwalk.


A map of the trail can be found here.

Tourne County Park

Where: Tourne County Park, Denville, Morris County
More Info: Entrance is free. This is not the Tourne park located in Passaic County.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

This is a nice hike that offers outstanding views of New York City. We found the hike to be difficult in parts and the trail leading to the top of Tourne Mountain was steep. There are picnic sites and a wildflower trail named after Emilie K. Hammond that contains over 200 wildflowers and other plants.

The website Mtnlakes.org says "On a clear day, hikers who climb to the top of the Tourne County Park will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the New York City skyline...The name Tourne is derived from the Dutch word meaning lookout or mountain. A total of 545 acres comprises this ruggedly beautiful park, located in the Township of Boonton and Denville, and the Borough of Mountain Lakes. The park was opened for public enjoyment in 1960."

Directions:

1. Rt 287 North to exit 39 for Intervale Road (Mountain Lakes).
2. At the end of the ramp turn left and cross over I-287 to the traffic light.
3. Turn right at the light onto Fanny Road.
4. Proceed straight to the second stop sign.
5. Turn right onto West Main Street.
6. Bear left at the "Y" onto Powerville Road.
7. Continue until the first road on the left, McCaffrey Lane.
8. Turn left. A sign for Tourne Park marks the entrance.

Trail information is here.

Celery Farm Hike

Where: Celery Farm, Allendale
More Info: 1 mile round trip, loop trail
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

Located in Allendale, Bergen County, the Celery Farm hike is suitable for families and children and provides plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. This is a loop trail, about 1 mile long and can be wet and muddy along the way. There is an observation platform which is a good spot to view birds. During our visit, we saw a garden snake, swans and other wildlife.

Directions:

1. Garden State Parkway to Exit 163, Route 17.
2. Continue north on Route 17 for 7.2 miles to Allendale exit.
3. Go west on E. Allendale road for one mile to Franklin Turnpike.
4. Turn right and go about 0.2 miles to a small parking lot on the right.
5. Parking area is between Pittis Ave and Alison Ct (which are on right).

Trail

The trail guide can be found here.

Kakeout Reservoir

Where: Kakeout Reservoir, Butler
More Info: 3.5 mile round trip, loop trail
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

This is a loop trail about 3.5 miles long and located in Butler, NJ. Although there are wooden footpaths along the trail it can be muddy in parts. The trail loops around the Kakeout Reservoir providing scenic views.

Directions:

1. Route 23 N to CR 511 (Boonton Ave).
2. South on Boonton Ave.
3. Right onto Fayson Lakes Road.
4. Parking is just after causeway by reservoir.

Trail

The trail guide can be found here.

Fort Lee Historic Park

Where: Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee

More Info: Grounds open 8am-dusk; admission is FREE but a $5 parking fee is charged for special events. Visitor center open Wed-Sun, 10:00-4:45pm

Trip Assessment:

Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

Fort Lee played an important role in Revolutionary War history. After resisting the British at Boston, General George Washington improved defenses at New York City by building fortifications. Fort Lee was formerly known as Fort Constitution and was constructed in July 1776. Click here for more details.


From the website NJPalisades.org

"The Visitor Center is at the heart of the Historic Park, providing information on the role of Fort Lee in the American Revolution...At the north end of the Park, two overlooks command spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River, and the skyline of upper Manhattan. In the southern portion of the Historic Park, winding paths lead past a reconstructed blockhouse to gun batteries and firing steps. Opposite the barbette battery, authentically recreated eighteenth-century soldiers’ and officers’ huts, with a well, woodshed, and baking oven, serve as the focal point for interpretive programs."

Directions:

Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee, NJ 07024

The park is located on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee, NJ, south of the George Washington Bridge.

Flashback - Tenafly Nature Center

Where:  Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670
More Info: http://www.tenaflynaturecenter.org
Trip Assessment:
Ease            ✮✮✮
Expense       $
Family Fun   ♥♥♥
===========================================

Tenafly Nature Center is a sanctuary for human visitors - an island of green where bonds with nature can be renewed. Whether you have an hour or a day, our woods offer a peaceful respite from the rush of daily life. 

July 2007 - What better is there to do on a lovely summer afternoon, when it's not too hot to go on a nature trail as a family, especially when there is a lot of shade and so much to see!


On this particular afternoon, we took the Yellow Trail, which their website describes as their "most popular trail for families and individuals with small children".  It was perfect for us (not that we haven't done anything tougher than that).  It was only 1/3 of a mile long, but we took our time and explored.

 

We had a nice time, and got to enjoy it with friends.  Our one friend was pregnant, and she was not exhausted or uncomfortable at the end of the trail, so that gives you another idea of how leisurely it was.  We definitely recommend it.  Especially now that the weather is beginning to get warmer (finally).


This is about all we did there.  I'd love to go back and check out the programs they offer.  Check them out on their website at: http://www.tenaflynaturecenter.org/programs.html.

Who says it's too cold out?

If you're already getting the winter blues, take heart!  You don't have to stay indoors all winter long, the Essex County Environmental Center has loads of winter activities for young and old, all the way through March 2010!

Here is a link to their current brochure:
http://www.essex-countynj.org/environdf.pdf


All of the activities require registration, and some of them will cost a small fee (indicated under each activity on the brochure).

FYI, their family fee of $9 currently applies to one adult and two children.  If you are attending as a family (both parents) the additional adult will have to pay an extra $7.

Enjoy your winter!

Jockey Hollow

Where: Jockey Hollow (Morristown National Historical Park)
More Info: http://www.nps.gov/morr/index.htm
Trip Assessment:

Ease ✮✮✮
Expense FREE
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

The monster hunger still attended us. Here was the army starved and naked and there their country sitting still and expecting the army to do notable things.

These were the conditions observed by Private Joseph Martin during the winter of 1779. The Continental army were encamped in the woodlands of Jockey Hollow, south of Morristown. The army cleared much of the woodland of Jockey Hollow to build a fortification of huts. These huts no longer exist today, but archaeological remains made possible the building of replicas.

Flashback - Apshawa Trail

Where:      Apshawa Preserve - Green Loop

More Info: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Apshawa_5602.asp

Trip Assessment:

Ease             ✮✮
Expense        FREE
Family Fun    ♥♥♥
==================================

October 2007.  Both our girls were small, ages 2 and under 1 year, so we opted to carry both of them on our backs.  The trail is easy in some parts, but requires a little more effort in others.  So, be careful with babies and tots!  Nowadays, I wouldn't mind allowing my 4-year-old to walk and climb on a trail like this.  She's done a much more difficult one this year (I will share soon) and was such a trooper!

Fall Discovery Walk & Cider Tasting

Where:      Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland, NJ

More Info: http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionCenters/SectionEssex/Introduction.aspx

Trip Assessment:

Ease             ✮✮✮
Expense        $$
Family Fun    ♥♥♥
==================================

Hello everyone!

As this is our first entry, I'm going to start with an activity we did this past month.  Later on I'll add some places we've gone to further in the past, but that you can still take advantage of.

At the beginning of the season, we received a pamphlet from the Essex County Environmental Center in the mail.  It contained descriptions of their Fall/Winter 2009-10 activities.  I immediately flipped through it to see what these included.