The New Jersey State Park Service is sponsoring eleven hikes, a bike ride and a horseback ride in state parks and trails on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2013 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. See the list below, and join us for a great new way to celebrate the New Year!
BASS RIVER STATE FOREST
First Day Hike - "New" end of BATONA Trail
Bass River State Forest
Time: 11 a.m.
Meeting location: BATONA Trail parking lot on Dan's Bridge Road (just off of Stage Road - approx. one mile west of Forest Office). Look for brown, routed sign on tree.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Minimum age for kids: 10
Any restrictions: Heavy rain/snow/thunder cancels. No dogs/pets (service animals permitted).
Length of hike: 5-6 miles, moderate pace
Things to bring: Dress for the weather and bring water. May want to wear some "orange" to be more visible.
Cancellation information: Call volunteer hike leader's cell phone # (609) 335 8208.
Additional information: Join forest volunteers to hike the "new" realigned end of the BATONA Trail that they created. The "new" route passes through beautiful wetlands and forest instead of along Stage Road and over a narrow vehicle bridge.
BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST
East Creek Trail Hike
Belleplain State Forest
Time: 10 a.m.
Meeting location: Forest Office, Belleplain State Forest
Degree of Difficulty: moderate
Minimum age for kids: 8
Length of hike: 3.5 miles
Things to bring: Wear sturdy footgear & weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water.
Cancellation Information: Forest Office (609) 861-2404
Additional information: Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, bring water.
Event Latitude: 39.143600
Event Longitude: -74.505798
KITTATINNY VALLY STATE PARK – PAULINSKILL VALLEY TRAIL
4th Annual New Year's Day Horseback Ride
Kittanny Valley State Park- Paulinskill Valley Trail
Time: 10 a.m.
Meeting location: Paulinskill Valley Trail at Halsey Farm, Halsey Corner and Route 519, Newton.
Degree of Difficulty: Rail trail; easy-moderate
Minimum age for kids: kids with parents/guardian need helmet
Any restrictions: Horseback ride
Length of ride: 4 miles
Things to bring: Your horse; pot luck to share for lunch; camera.
Cancellation Information: (973) 600-5997 (cell) or (973) 948-3814 (home)
Additional information: Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
PRE-REGISTRATION required. Email leader to register, Janice Elsifhans at gldg@embarqmail.com, stating your trailer size.
Event Latitude: 41.049999
Event Longitude: -74.760002
28th Annual New Year’s Day Hike
Kittatinny Valley State Park - Paulinskill Valley Trail
Time: 10 a.m.
Meeting Location: Footbridge Park, Blairstown – Parking lot (Not in Kittatinny Valley State Park)
Degree of Difficulty: easy to moderate
Minimum age for kids: none
Any restrictions: N/A
Length of hike: 5 miles
Things to bring: Wear sturdy footgear & weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water.
Cancellation Information: Phone: (908) 684-4820
Additional information: Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee. Start your New Year off right by hiking a scenic rail-trail and learning about the history of the railroads that used to run through Warren and Sussex Counties.
Event Latitude: 41.016293
Event Longitude: -74.9578
MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
First Day Hike – Walk the Main Battle Line
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Time: 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Meeting location: Meet at the Park's main entrance on Business Route 33, one mile west of Wemrock Road (Manalapan Twp, NJ 07726)
Degree of Difficulty: moderate
Minimum age for kids: 10
Any restrictions: Paths are not wheelchair accessible
Length of hike: 1 mile
Things to bring: Dress warmly and wear hiking boots,
Is pre-registration required? no
For more information and/or to register: 609-490-7520
Cancellation Information: 609-529-5356
Additional information: Walk the main battle line - through fields and woodland paths - held by Continental troops at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Visit sites associated with the heroine Molly Pitcher. Sponsored by Friends of Monmouth Battlefield
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 40.152213
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74.191459
NORVIN GREEN STATE FOREST - CANCELLED
PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
The Battle of Princeton Interpretive Tour
Princeton Battlefield State Park
Time: 6:50 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Meeting location: Thomas Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Rd (Princeton Pike), Princeton, NJ
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Minimum age for kids: none, but should be good listeners
Any restrictions: none
Length of hike: 1 mile, slightly rolling ground
Things to bring: Dress for weather
Pre-registration is required. Email princetonbattlefieldtours@gmail.com to register
Cancellation Information: Email princetonbattlefieldtours@gmail.com
Additional information for participants: The Battle of Princeton Interpretive Tour, lead by noted British Army historian and Princeton Battlefield Society Trustee William P Tatum III, will trace the steps of American and British units the same time of day as the original January 3, 1777 battle. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the rigors of eighteenth-century combat and a deeper appreciation of the historical engagement at Princeton. Suggested donation of $5 to Princeton Battlefield Society appreciated.
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 40.195109
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74.403668
RINGWOOD STATE PARK
New Year’s Day Hike - Mount Defiance
Ringwood State Park
Time: 1 p.m.
Meeting location: NJ State Botanical Gardens, Ringwood State Park
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate.
Minimum age for kids: 8
Any restrictions: no dogs, no pets (except service animals)
Length of hike: 1.5 miles
Things to bring: Sturdy footwear & weather-appropriate clothing. Bring water/snacks
Where to call for more information and/or to register: Ringwood State Park Office (973) 962-7031. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUESTED
Cancellation Information: Ringwood State Park Office (973) 962-7031 ext. 0
Additional information: Mount Defiance New Year’s Day Hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Hike route may be altered due to dangerous trail conditions. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUESTED
Event Latitude: 41.126949
Event Longitude: -74.239540
ROUND VALLEY RECREATION AREA
New Year's Day Hike - Resolutions
Round Valley Recreation Area
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meeting Location: Round Valley Recreation Area – South Parking Lot
Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Age: Children with parents/guardians welcome
Any restrictions: NA
Length of hike: 2 miles
Things to Bring: Wear sturdy footgear & weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water.
Cancellation Information: NOTE: Park trails currently closed due to Superstorm Sandy damage. We hope to re-open by January 1. Please call the park by December 28, 2012 to check at (908)236-6355
Hike Description: Resolutions: New Year's Day Hike. DRESS WARMLY. Bring water.
Event Latitude: 40.613949
Event Longitude: -74.822731
SPRUCE RUN RECREATION AREA and VOORHEES STATE PARK
First Day Hike – The Highlands Trail
Spruce Run Recreation Area and Voorhees State Park and more - Highlands Trail (through state and county open space)
Time: 9am to 5pm
Meeting location: Ethel Hoppock Middle School
280 Asbury-West Portal Road
Asbury, NJ 08802
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult to strenuous
Minimum age for kids: Parental Discretion
Any restrictions: This is a fast-paced, high mileage hike! Dogs must be on a leash
Length of hike: Approximately 15 miles
Things to bring: Wear sturdy footgear & weather appropriate clothing, bring at least 2qts water, snacks and lunch. Be prepared to be hiking for 8 hours.
For more information and/or to register: Call Mike to Register -908-343-8374
PRE-REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY.
Cancellation Information (hike leader’s cell phone, office if staffed, or message machine that will be checked, etc): 908-343-8374
Additional information: Highlands trail in Hunterdon County. Be prepared for footpaths and walking back roads. Wear clothing that is visible to traffic.
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 40.3946
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74.5620
WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK
First Day Hike – Steele Run Ravine
Washington Crossing State Park
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center
Degree of Difficulty: moderate
Minimum age: 9yrs
Any restrictions: Hike will take place weather permitting.
Length of hike: 2-3 miles
Things to bring: Wear sturdy footgear and bring drinking water.
Where to call for more information and cancellation information: (609) 737-0609.
Is pre-registration required: No
Hike Description: This will be a naturalist-guided winter hike of approximately 2 miles through the heart of Washington Crossing State Park. First Day Hikes are a nationwide effort promoting outdoor events on New Year’s Day.
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 40 18.819
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74 51.774
WHARTON STATE FOREST
Batsto Fire Tower Trail Mountain Bike Trail Ride
Wharton State Forest
Time: 12:00 noon
Meeting location: Batsto Village parking area, north end (back) of the parking lot.
Degree of Difficulty: moderate (all dirt trails)
Minimum age for kids: 14 yrs
Any restrictions: No pets
Length of bike ride: 6 miles
Things to bring: Helmet Required (all ages), eye protection required, water bottle, wide tire bicycle & weather-appropriate clothing.
Where to call for more information and/or to register: (609) 561-0024 Batsto Visitor Center
Is pre-registration required? No
For cancellation information: (609) 561-0024 Call Dec. 31, 2012 between 9:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Additional information: Batsto Fire Tower Trail Mountain Bike Trail Ride. Bike Ride. Bring your own bike and helmets. See above.
Event (meeting place) Latitude: N 39 38.662
Event (meeting place) Longitude: W 74 38.809
Batsto Natural Area First Day Hike
Wharton State Forest
Time: 10 a.m. - whenever we finish exploring!
Meeting location: Batsto Village, Pleasant Mills Church
Degree of Difficulty: moderate
Minimum age for kids: N/A
Any restrictions (e.g. dogs, kids, conditions ): N/A
Length of trail (i.e. length of hike): 4 +/- miles
Things to bring: Boots, snacks, water, footwear for swampy areas.
Where to call for more information and/or to register: Batsto Visitor Center 609-561-0024 (Terry)
Is pre-registration required? No
Cancellation Information: Office 609-561-0024 or 609-412-3394 on Jan. 1
Additional information: A 4-mile, moderate hike and exploration between the
Nescochague and Sleeper Creek through "ye old Batsto natural area". Dress for wet conditions as there are some swampy areas and standing water in the roadways. Historical and natural information will be shared.
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 39.64114
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74.66139
New Years Day Hike 2013 – With the Outdoor Club of South Jersey
Wharton State Forest - Atsion
Time: 10:00 am
Meeting location: Meet in field next to next to Atsion Office off Rt. 206
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
Minimum age for kids: Children with parents/guardians welcome
Any restrictions: Paths are not wheelchair accessible
Length of hike: 7-8 miles
Things to bring: Wear sturdy footgear & weather-appropriate clothing, bring lunch and beverages.
Where to call for more information: Christine (856) 461-5379, or Pat (856) 767-8064
Is pre-registration required? No
Cancellation Information: Check the Outdoor Club of South Jersey Website, http://www.ocsj.org/
Additional information: Check the Outdoor Club of South Jersey Website, http://www.ocsj.org/ for any changes due to weather.
Event Latitude: 39.742683
Event Longitude: -74.726151
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING HIKE IS A PRE-FIRST DAY HIKE. Actually being held on Sunday, December 30, 2012!
(Pre)First Day Hike at Cheesequake
Time: 1 PM
Meeting location: Nature Center, Cheesequake State Park
Degree of Difficulty: easy
Minimum age for kids: 8 and up
Any restrictions: N/A
Length of hike: 1.5
Things to bring: Dress warmly and wear hiking boots,
Is pre-registration required? no
For more information and/or to register: (732) 566 3208
Cancellation Information: (732) 566 3208 on the day of the event.
Additional information: Pre-First Day Hike at Cheesequake! Enjoy a hike through the varied ecosystems of the park guided by the park’s naturalist. Sunday, December 30, 2012!
Event (meeting place) Latitude: 40.266
Event (meeting place) Longitude: -74.1613
