Home ⎟ Hikes & Wanderings ⎟ New Jersey

Board Mountain ⎟High Point ⎟ Hudson Palisades ⎟ Mt. Tammany ⎟ Pochuck Boardwalk ⎟ Stairway to Heaven ⎟ Surprise Lake ⎟ Terrace Pond ⎟ Wawayanda Mountain ⎟  Bearfort Ridge ⎟Wallkill Wildlife Refuge

Northern New Jersey: is characterized by low lying hills, long ridges, meadows and horse farm fields. Departing from its more bustling environs, northern New Jersey offers up a myriad of mountain hikes, swimming holes, and boardwalks perfect for trail running. Moreover, the Appalachian Trail runs across the northernmost parts of New Jersey, allowing one to explore the lesser known backcountry areas ripe for the finding.  It’s hard to imagine a wilderness area in New Jersey, but this one has New Jersey covered. Another characteristic of this wilderness is the large bear poulation. If I hike on Wawayanda Mountain or even the Appalachian Trail in Spring, Summer or Fall I know I have a good chance of running into a bear, but they really are harmless if you just quietly walk past, giving them a wide berth as you continue on.  Just be alert. One bear slid down a tree right in front of me, before I had thought to look up in the trees for bears. But as startled as I was at his surprise entrance, he was probably ten times more terrified of me as he saw me and hit the ground running in the opposite direction! They really are quiet sweet creatures who keep to themselves and are pretty humorous to see in action. That being said, packing the bear spray and a bear whistle isn’t required but may help if encountering an aggressively hungry bear at a campsite, etc.  Remember, if camping in the backcountry, hang your food away from camp!

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