Long Pond Ironworks State Park, NJ - Jungle Habitat 4

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Forgotten N.J. safari park becomes trekking and biking destination for locals - NJ.com

New Jersey unveils first-of-its-kind mountain bike trail at Long Pond Ironworks State Park - News 12 New Jersey

Jungle Habitat Trail Revitalization Project Begins - New York New Jersey Trail Conference

If you have hiked these trails, you might recognize some of the places in these home movies.

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 41.130102, -74.340938

TRAIL MAP: 

Because this is still a work in progress, might be a good idea to check for updated maps.  I hiked the trail shown as white - it was not blazed but was easy enough to follow.  The western side of the gray trail is blazed with old yellow markers.

HIKE DISTANCE:  7 miles

THE HIKE: 

I hit almost every trail in Jungle Habitat over four hikes.  

Jungle Habitat 1 - 5.2 miles (red)

Jungle Habitat 2 - 6.2 miles (orange)

Jungle Habitat 3 - 6 miles (purple)

Jungle Habitat 4 - 7 miles (blue)

From the parking lot through the gate, then left ...

... then immediately right on the red trail.

End of the red trail; right to the huge old parking lots.

I wasn't able to explore the old parking lots in the summer with full sun exposure but this was the perfect time to tour around.

Entering into the woods from the far end of the parking lot.

These were walking Jungle Habitat walking paths.

Ticket Booth

Tunnels

This is what I was looking for and finally found it - the old Safari Ride tracks.

We walked the complete route of the tracks.

Heading north on Safari 2 which is not where it is shown on the Gaia app.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Balloon #9 of the year.

While taking this picture I heard a click, looked down and saw Brodie was not attached to the leash.  In fact, where was Brodie?  He was nowhere in sight.  From this point paths head in three different directions.  Fortunately I saw movement downhill to the right and I yelled "BRODIE COME!"  Of course he looked at me and said "No thanks" and kept going. So I brought out the big guns:  "BRODIE!  COOKIES!!!!"

And back he came.  Then I had to take my backpack off to get to his cookies to give him one.

Based on footage in the home movie video, above, this would be the monkey enclosure.  The smooth side of the metal along the top of the fencing would have prevented them from climbing out.

Uncanny resemblance.

Back at the yellow gate ...

... and the parking lot.

In addition to Balloon #9, packed out Balloon #10 and Balloon #11 of the year/

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