Hartshorne Woods Park - Monmouth County Park System
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.40160, -74.01255
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| Buttermilk Valley Parking Lot - I had intended to park at Claypit Creek (40.39666, -74.02160) but at 6:05 AM the entrance was gated. When I hiked by at 6:40 AM the gate was open. I got the second to last spot in the Buttermilk Valley lot at 6:10 AM and it was full with more cars coming in by the time I got my shoes on. |
TRAIL MAP:
Hartshorne Woods Park Brochure - Monmouth County Park System
HIKE DISTANCE: 10.1 miles
THE HIKE:
With another weekend of oppressive heat and humidity, I went a little southeast where there was a breeze versus no breeze inland. Turns out the breeze was wonderful and it did not feel that bad at all until the last couple of miles. I did not bring Brodie along for this hike. He got to stay home in the air conditioning.
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| Starting to the right to take the Laurel Ridge Trail. |
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| Right on the Claypit Run Trail. |
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| Crossing over Hartshorne Road. |
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| Steps leading down to ... |
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| ... a pedestrian walkway on the Locust Avenue bridge for a view of ... |
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| Claypit Creek |
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| Heading back to continue around on the Claypit Run Trail. |
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| Heading towards ... |
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| ... another view of Claypit Creek. |
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| Belted Kingfisher |
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| Continuing around. |
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| Lots of wildlife around early in the morning. |
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| Back at the Laurel Ridge Trail, continuing to the right. |
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| Turning right on a side trail towards the overlook. |
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| I was knocking down spiderwebs along the way and soon realized why. |
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| This would be the overlook. Maybe in the winter but this is it in the summer. |
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| Continuing on the Laurel Ridge Trail. |
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| Right on Grand Tour. |
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| Crossing over on the Rocky Point Trail. |
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| A side trail to the Navesink Overlook which would be this in the summer. |
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| Continuing on the Rocky Point Trail. |
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| Coming out at the Black Fish Cove overlook. |
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| The Rocky Point Trail continues to the left but I headed down to a picnic table in the shade for a break first. |
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| Break view. |
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| Continuing on the Rocky Point Trail. |
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| Along the Rocky Point Trail I was able to zoom in for a couple of ocean shots. |
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| That is one big ship in the distance. |
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| Passing by the Rocky Point parking lot which was packed. |
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| Two miles left to go and it was really getting hot so I chose the easier Cuesta Ridge Trail. |
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| Back at the parking lot. |
