Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, NJ - New Brunswick to Zarepath

ABOUT THE PARKS: 

Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park - New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 40.50802, -74.46381 

Small parking area off of Landing Lane Bridge.

TRAIL MAP: 

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Map - New Jersey DEP

BIKE DISTANCE:  17.3 miles (out and back)

THE BIKE:  

Figured I could get a bike ride in before the extreme heat set in.  This was the weather forecast when I left at 5:30 AM.  The page was still open on my laptop when I returned home so I was able to snapshot it.

In reality, none of the above happened except maybe the temperatures. It was dark and gloomy and looked like it was going to rain any minute.  By the time I got back to my car at 9:30 the first rain drops started falling.  Those raindrops became thunderstorms.  However, with nobody else on the trail at 6 AM there was some great, close-up wildlife viewing.  Just glad I made it out before the completely unpredicted storms hit.

First I headed east from the parking lot on a dirt path to capture the very beginning of the trail a short distance ahead.

And here we are, the beginning of the Delaware and Rarital Canal Towpath.

Heading back.

Through the parking lot ...

... then a right briefly on Landing Lane Bridge ...

... for a view of the Raritan River.

Now on to the towpath.

That would be me if I rode my bike over this kind of surface.  I walk these sections, they are way too uneven for my liking.

I zoomed right past this great blue heron and it never moved.

I was able to stop just beyond the heron and zoom in for a close-up.  Must be eyeing up breakfast.

Then shortly after crossing this section I saw something brown on the left and stopped.

A beaver!  He never flinched.

Just kept eating his breakfast.

I must have taken 20 pictures and he never moved.  Got back on my bike and drove past him and he still did not bolt.  Such unexpected behavior from a beaver!

Then I spotted a doe on the far side of the Raritan River.

And then ...

... a turtle!  It was like the Wild Kingdom.

There were a lot of these stone surfaces and as smooth as it looks, it is not smooth at all.

In fact, the entire trail was pretty rough.  There were smooth crushed stone sections but when they needed to fill in they used chunky gravel which makes for very rough riding.

OK now, certainly they will all move when they see me coming.

Not a chance.  Even the deer did not budge.  I was worried about weaving my way through with all of the toddler geese because the parents can get quite testy.  But after clapping my hands, talking loudly, begging and pleading, I just started moving and they reluctantly moved just enough for me to get through.  Nobody copped an attitude so all was well.

At Zarepath, turning around to head back.

Yes, rough trail for sure!

Bumblebees were all over these pink flowers.

At Main Street in Bound Brook I turned right ...

... for a view of the canal.

Then the other way on Queens Bridge ...

... for a view of the Raritan River.

Heading back to continue on the towpath trail.

My friends were still there and they seemed to recognize me and let me through.

This bumpy lumpy section has a narrow dirt path along the side which I took this time.  Much easier.

Back at Landing Lane ...

... and the parking lot.