Sunday, January 20, 2013

Metedeconk Preserve, NJ - Silver Stream Trail


ABOUT THE PARK:
Metedeconk Preserve - New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Silver Stream Trail - Jackson Pathfinders

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.129037, -74.317235

View Larger Map
Large parking area off of Frank Applegate Road.

TRAIL MAPS:
Metedeconk Preserve - New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail - Jackson Pathfinders
There is a new trail called the "Spur Trail" that is not shown on either map above but it is on this map.

HIKE DISTANCE:  1.75 miles
Hiked in conjunction with Forest Resource Education Center trails, about a 5 mile drive away.

THE HIKE:
The trail starts at the gate next to the kiosk.  It is blazed with either yellow or white NJCF markers, yellow paint blazes or blank orange or yellow plastic diamonds - all the same trail.  The trails are very pretty and interesting going through a variety of forests and along the river.
Fancy bird McMansion.
The trails had all been cleared of Sandy blowdowns - how nice and much appreciated!  (Getting really, really tired of climbing in/through/under/over/around blowdowns...)
South Branch Metedeconk River
Benches at scenic river overlook.
The new Spur Trail - starts out with green markers then when it loops back around the markers are blue.
Some mallards that weren't expecting a hiker and flew away.

HIKE SUMMARY:
(NOTE:  Trail blazes are a combination of white or yellow NJCF markers, yellow paint, or orange and yellow diamonds [either blank or with an arrow] on the Silver Stream Trail.  The Spur Trail is blazed in green then changes to blue.)
[  0.00]  Continue beyond gate from parking lot
[  0.05]  Turn right when trail splits
[  0.10]  Cross footbridge with two more coming up
[  0.45]  Trail enters pretty pine forest then crosses footbridge
[  0.60]  Two benches at overlook above South Branch Metedeconk River
[  0.70]  Descend steps to boardwalk along river, turn left at end of boardwalk when bridge goes right
[  0.75]  Turn right on green-blazed Spur Trail
[  0.90]  At fork keep right and cross creek
[  1.00]  Trail veers to the left to loop back around and markers change from green to blue
[  1.15]  Rock hop creek and blazes are green again; keep left and follow along right side of creek
[  1.20]  Keep straight on green when green also goes left completing loop
[  1.35]  Turn right on white/yellow Silver Stream Trail, cross footbridge and keep right
[  1.55]  Cross boardwalk
[  1.65]  Keep straight when trail also goes left completing main loop
[  1.75]  Back at parking lot

4 comments:

  1. That looks like a nice place to walk. New Jersey is one of the states I still need to go hiking in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a very nice trail. A shame it is so short but you'll find plenty of trails here in New Jersey!

      Daniela

      Delete
  2. Hi Daniela -- It's been a while since I've "checked in" with you (and here I am, commenting on a 5½+ year-old adventure), but I finally got out to this one today...thanks to both your blog and some research on NJCF's website! Beautiful trails/views of the South Branch Metedeconk River. Also got me a pretty decent shot of a Turkey Vulture after it startled me as he flew away from a point closer to the Silver Stream Trail (and landed on a nearby tree branch)!

    Oh, and the "Spur" trail you were on is now officially called the Steve Kitay Living Trail (still blazed with the green "NJCF" markers.) Another beautiful portion of the hike. (I see you had done this hike in the winter time; I prefer it in the summer, even though the flies can be a royal pain at times!)

    The total trail miles are still the same (about 1.75, as you had gaged); however, I forgot to get (or didn't notice the first time) the other trails you did at Forest Resource Education Center on the same day. But not to worry -- I can always make my way back up there for a separate adventure sometime! I did, however, discover another park on my way back, called Lakewood Pine Park (off Rt. 526 / County Line Rd.) Very nice park, but if Brodie is anything like Shawnee was, he wouldn't "approve", because it's all either gravel or paved paths.

    Anyway, I look forward to your further adventures; you've had some great ones these past few weeks that I've enjoyed seeing via the pix!

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow Jim, that was a long time ago! And yes, I definitely prefer hikes in the summer. In the winter everything always looks so dead.

      Delete