Tall Pines State Preserve, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Tall Pines State Preserve - NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Tall Pines State Preserve - Friends of Tall Pines Preserve

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 39.78077, -75.13963

HUGE parking lot - this is only about half of it.

TRAIL MAPS:

Tall Pines State Preserve - NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Tall Pines State Preserve Trail System - Friends of Tall Pines Preserve

HIKE DISTANCE:

Hiked together, all a 5 - 10 minute drive apart:
Tall Pines State Preserve, NJ - 3.5 miles
Ceres Park, NJ - Back Lot - 4.0 miles
Ceres Park, NJ - 1.5 miles

THE HIKE: 

This park was an old golf course so 95% of the trails are paved.  The dirt paths are short and connect one paved path to the other.

We headed to the far side of the parking lot from where we parked.

Parts of the terrain are surprisingly hilly.

A downy woodpecker with breakfast.

This side path is supposed to lead to a scenic view of Mantua Creek but it's not that easy to get to ...

... and you have to stand in sticker bushes for the view.  The views from the bridges are better.

Two Northern Flickers

Part of the trail loops closely by residences then proceeds back into the park.

Looks like something came out of the water, crossed them turned back just before we got there.

Crossing from the inner path over to the perimeter path ...

... just before the parking lot.

Ceres Park, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Ceres Park - Mantua Township

There are two sections of park separated by Chestnut Branch.  From what I read on mountain bike forums, there used to be a connecting bridge around 2007 but it seems that is gone now.  Others who have crossed over from one side to the other apparently use the Route 55 overpass.  I hiked this as two separate sections, driving from one to the other.

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 39.74846, -75.14693

Parking Lot off of Main Street

TRAIL MAP: 

This hike is the orange track.

HIKE DISTANCE:

Hiked together, all a 5 - 10 minute drive apart:

Tall Pines State Preserve, NJ - 3.5 miles

Ceres Park, NJ - Back Lot - 4.0 miles

Ceres Park, NJ - 1.5 miles

THE HIKE:

Starting at the gate ...

... then right on yellow a short distance in.

Yellow joins with red ...

... then leaves to the right.

Marl Lakes - blue-green algae?

This is where yellow ends but going around the lake to the left ...

... a wide woods road heads back.

Taking a trail to the left...

... to Cedar Lake.

Emerald Lake

The trail loops around Emerald lake.

Passing by Cedar Lake down on the left.

Back to the parking lot.