Allaire State Park, NJ - Hog Bog and Tiger Woods

ABOUT THE PARK:
Allaire State Park - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Allaire State Park - JORBA

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 40.141192, -74.122341

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Large parking lot on Hospital Road.

TRAIL MAP:
Allaire State Park Multi-Use Trail Map - JORBA
Allaire State Park, NJ - Hog Bog and Tiger Woods at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  7.2 miles

THE HIKE:

Starting out on the orange/white multi-use trail.

Sand Pit

View from the power cut.

Hog Bog - swirly trails on raised berms.

Charred trees on the other side of the firebreak.

Spring growth along the river.

Manasquan River

It is surprisingly hilly around the river.

This climb in particular was almost straight up on sand.

With a seasonal view at the top.

It wouldn't be a Jersey hike without an old rusty car along the trail.

The Tiger Woods trail follows along above the Manasquan River.

A memorial for Walter "Wats" Watson.

The Tiger Woods trail is named that because it goes through the woods ...

... and along a golf course.

Back on orange/white.

Radio Control Airplane Field

Close-up of the sign.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take the orange/white multi-use trail from the western end of the parking lot
[  0.05]  Cross gravel road at Sunset to Sunrise sign; keep left at fork on orange when orange/white goes right
[  0.55]  Turn right on unmarked at sand pit when orange goes left; keep straight to the other side of the sand pit then turn left on the more defined trail running to the right of the sand pit
[  0.60]  Turn left on blue at T-intersection
[  0.80]  Turn left on blue at T-intersection where blue also goes right
[  1.20]  Keep right on blue when orange merges in from the left
[  1.35]  Keep right on blue when orange leaves to the left
[  1.70]  Turn right on blue when orange merges in from the left
[  1.85]  Turn left on orange when it leaves blue which continues to the right
[  2.00]  Orange turns right in the power cut
[  2.50]  At 3-way intersection where orange goes right and a wider trail is straight ahead, turn left on the unmarked sandy trail - this area is Hog Bog - the trails are on raised berms and are not marked; keeping to the left at all intersections will get you around the area
[  3.00]  Turn left downhill to Manasquan River; trail continues a short distance along river then retrace
[  3.30]  Back at the Hog Bog trails, keep left
[  3.45]  Trail goes between 2 metal posts; keep straight passing two wooden posts to the left; start to follow the horseshoe bend on the right then turn left at the first trail
    *** I did some going in circles here trying to find my way to Tiger Woods so picking back up when I ran into orange ***
[  4.30]  At T-intersection with orange, turn right on orange
[  4.40]  When orange turns right, turn left on unmarked
[  4.55]  At T-intersection turn right on Tiger Woods (sometimes marked with can lids)
[  4.85]  Keep left when unmarked goes right
[  4.95]  Keep right at fork (left goes to golf course)
[  6.50]  Turn left on orange/white
[  6.80]  Cross paved path keeping on orange/white
[  7.15]  Turn left and cross over gravel road
[  7.20]  Back at parking lot

Six Mile Run Reservoir, NJ - Western Section

There is no sign that says Six Mile Run Reservoir but this is the sign at the parking lot.

ABOUT THE PARK:
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Six Mile Run Reservoir Site - Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (scroll to bottom)
Six Mile Run Reservoir Site - JORBA

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.474405, -74.570952

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Canal Road Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP:
Six Mile Run Reservoir - JORBA
Six Mile Run Western Section at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  5.85 miles

THE HIKE:
Although this is one of the places closest to me, for some reason I never thought this would be much of a hike.  Dan Balogh assured me after his hike of March 9, 2013 that it is a very nice hike.  Indeed, it was and it is interesting to see his pictures taken in March versus mine taken in April. 

The blue trail starts on the other side of the entry drive from the parking lot.

In spite of a freak mid-April sleet/ice/snow storm 36 hours before, Spring is here to stay!

Dan Balogh has a picture of this tree root, too!  It is gigantic.

I didn't think she would need her lifting harness with the ramps JORBA made out of downed trees (and she very much appreciates those ramps) but there were some downed trees without ramps where she could have used assistance with her harness.  Lesson learned:  Keep lifting harness in backpack.

Trees are coming back to life.

An intersection with a yellow trail that is not on the map.

A long boardwalk.  Shawnee preferred the alternate route.

A Great Blue Heron flew into the picture just as I was taking the shot.

The blue trail ends at the red trail - make a sharp right turn here.

The red trail follows Six Mile Run from above.

Contrary to the map, the red trail continues along Six Mile Run all the way to Canal Road which allows for a nice loop.

Coming up on Canal Road.

When you turn around at Canal Road, there are NO TRESPASSING signs.  Since this is a marked trail, I can only assume that sign is meant to keep those out who are up to no good coming off of Canal Road.

A very short walk along Canal Road ...

... back to the parking lot.

Found a plastic bag stuck in some branches so using that, packed out some litter from those too lazy to pack it out themselves.

A tired hiking dog.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take the blue trail on the opposite side of the entrance road from the parking lot
[  1.80]  Keep straight on blue at intersection with yellow trail not on the map
[  2.55]  Cross footbridge that runs parallel to Blackwells Mill Road
[  3.00]  Short side trail on right to Six Mile Run
[  3.65]  Cross Middle Bush Brook on bridge
[  4.30]  At top of hill when blue ends, turn right on red
[  4.50]  Right on red when white goes left to Canal Road
[  5.00]  Keep straight on red (marked) although map shows red turning left
[  5.75]  Turn right on Canal Road
[  5.85]  Back at parking lot