Showing posts with label NJ Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NJ Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Show all posts

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ - Cedar Bonnet Island


ABOUT THE PARK:  
Cedar Bonnet Island - Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Facebook Page 
Cedar Bonnet Island Environmental Trail - South Jersey Trails  (How I found out about this hike - thanks South Jersey Trails!)

DIRECTIONS: 
GPS Coordinates 39.65718, -74.19371
Room for about 10 cars in a lot right off of Route 72 after crossing over Manahawkin Bay.

TRAIL MAP: 

HIKE DISTANCE: 
Cedar Bonnet Island - 1.5 miles
     hiked together with
Cloverdale Farm County Park - 2 miles
     12 miles/16 minutes away 

THE HIKE: 
As mentioned in the Cloverdale Farm hike, pardon the poor quality iPhone pictures.  Forgot to put the memory card in my good camera.
Head west from the parking lot a short distance along the sidewalk ...
... to the entrance on the left.
The path is all loose gravel which can be somewhat uncomfortable to walk on but where everyplace else is a sloppy, slushy mess and ice and snow, this was all bone dry.
We went left at the first fork and would be returning from the right.
Staying to the left here also for an out-and-back portion to a pavilion.
Heading back.
The bridge we had driven in on in the distance.
Now to the left to complete the loop portion.
Back at the entrance ...
... and a right turn back to the parking lot.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ


ABOUT THE PARK:
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
At the first parking lot, the entrance fee payment area.

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 39.465096, -74.451029

View Larger Map
First parking lot.

TRAIL MAP:
Brigatine Unit Hiking Trails - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, NJ at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE: 6.6 miles

THE HIKE:
Right from the parking lot, a field sparrow.
Continuing past the visitor's center to ...
... the Grassland Trail.
Atlantic City in the distance.
The left side of the Leeds Eco-Trail is a boardwalk.
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation's osprey cam!
The other side of the Leeds Eco-Trail goes through woods where lots of birds were seen along the way.
House Finch
Northern Mockingbird
Back to the parking lot to access the hiking trails.
Instead of going straight to the Songbird Trail, we turned left and did the short Woodland Trail loop.
I got 5 pictures and he was blurry in all of them :(
Now on to the Songbird Trail.
It starts on a short section of the Wildlife Drive ...
... then leaves the drive to the left into the woods.
A break spot up ahead.
The Songbird Trail is joined by white-blazed Jen's Trail.
Jen's Trail
A pond just before the Songbird Trail starts to follow the Wildlife Drive.
Not very pleased with this "trail."
It's not so bad ...
... as long as you hold your breath and keep your mouth closed when cars pass by or you get a lung full of exhaust.
Experimental Pool Overlook
No secretive marsh birds today,just some Mallards.
Nearing the end.


8-MILE WILDLIFE DRIVE:
Gull Pond Tower - A tower I could actually climb.  It wasn't effortless but I just kept telling myself how much sturdier and shorter it was than a fire tower and I made to the top with knees knocking but I made it.
Views from the top.
Safely down from the tower (down wasn't as bad as I expected it to be) and on with the Wildlife Drive.