Belleplain State Forest, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:  New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

DIRECTIONS:

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GPS coordinates 39.244861,-74.857285 were for the correct location (Interpretive Center parking lot at Lake Nummy) but my GPS did not recognize some of the roads and kept taking me in circles trying to get me to turn on roads that were blocked off - plan on having to navigate to the Interpretive Center on your own once you reach the park.

There are 4 parking spots in front of the Interpretive Center with 3 additional spots on the opposite side of the road.

TRAIL MAP:
When I inquired at the park office I was told they were out of maps and they are due to be reprinted Spring 2011.  This is a picture of the map outside which is in a couple of locations throughout the park.  Click on the picture for a larger version.

This map shows the trails for this hike:

The online campground map shows other trails around Lake Nummy.

HIKE DISTANCE: 
East Creek Trail Loop - 6.75 miles 
East Creek Trail Loop with Ponds Trail out and back - 10.75 miles 
(Note:  Park map says East Creek Trail is 7.13 miles; I measured 6.75 miles.  Park map says Ponds Trail is 2.22 miles each way, I measured 2 miles each way. Since I am using a pedometer my measurements could be slightly off.)

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Facing the Interpretive Center, walk along the road to the right of the building towards a sign that points to the left and says "Trash/Recycling Center Campers Only"

Turn left at that sign and you will see the white-blazed East Creek Trail on the right just before the trash/recycling area.

The trail is marked with square white disks, sometimes painted blazes and brown posts.  Trail surface is packed, no loose sand, often covered with pine needles or leaves.  Some areas have roots on the walking surface.

Trail briefly joins sand road skirting a field.

New section of boardwalk over swampy area.

Several paved roads are crossed along the trail.  Although traffic is allowed, I never saw a car except when arriving at Route 347 at 2.7 miles, where there is a large volume of high speed traffic.  Turn right at Route 347 and walk along the grassy shoulder towards East Creek Pond.

On the other side of the pond there is a small parking lot which might also be an option for this hike to avoid park fees in season.

To continue on the blue-blazed Ponds Trail, carefully cross over Route 347 from the parking lot.

The blue-blazed Ponds Trail has not been maintained and is overgrown.  It was passable at this time of year with a lot of ducking under branches, skirting around blow downs and picking through thorny growth.  I doubt it would be passable in the summer.  I also noted more deer stands in trees that I have ever seen in one place at one time so definitely not a place you want to hike on a hunting day.

Overgrown Trail

Blow Down Blocking Trail

Pickle Factory Pond at the end of the Ponds Trail.

If you do opt to hike the Ponds Trail, at the Pickle Factory Pond, turn around and retrace back to the small parking lot on Route 347 where you will find the continuation of the white-blazed East Creek Trail.

East Creek Trail skirts East Creek Pond

The trail will pass through a couple of attractive groves.

Arrive back at Lake Nummy at the end of the hike turning right on the paved road to return to the Interpretive Center parking lot.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Follow road to right of Interpretive center; left at recycling sign; right at trail sign
[  0.90]  Wooden foot bridge
[  0.95]  Cross paved road (Sunset Road)
[  1.00]  Trail becomes gravel road skirting along edge of field
[  1.05]  Trail leaves gravel road at end of field to the right as foot trail
[  1.40]  Turn right at unmarked intersection; cross bridge
[  1.50]  Long boardwalk
[  1.90]  Bridge
[  1.95]  Bridge/boardwalk
[  2.00]  Trail goes through laurel tunnel
[  2.40]  Cross bridge; traffic sounds
[  2.60]  Left at fork
[  2.70]  Turn right on Route 347; proceed to parking area opposite side of East Creek Pond
[  3.00]  Cross busy road from parking area to blue-blazed Ponds Trail
[  3.25]  Right at fork
[  4.20]  Cross over paved road (Lehner Road)
[  4.50]  Turn left at T-intersection where double blue blaze on tree ahead indicates right turn
[  4.60]  Turn right at field; turn right at other end of field on woods road
[  5.00]  Arrive at Delsea Drive, the end of Ponds Trail at Pickle Factory Pond; retrace
[  7.00]  Cross over Route 347 to gravel parking lot for continuing East Creek Trail loop.
[  7.20]  Trail goes right up to lake before veering left
[  7.80]  Boardwalk then left to cross dirt road (Tom Field Trail)
[  8.90]  Cross paved road (Sunset Road)
[  9.40]  Cross over dirt road
[  9.50]  Cross over dirt road (Tom Field Trail)
[  9.90]  Cross paved road
[10.40]  Cross 4 bridges
[10.50]  Turn left at intersection with trail post but no turn directions; turn right on paved road; follow road along Lake Nummy
[10.75]  Arrive back at Interpretive Center parking lot

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