Metedeconk Preserve, NJ - Silver Stream Trail

ABOUT THE PARK:
Metedeconk Preserve - New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Silver Stream Trail - Jackson Pathfinders

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.129037, -74.317235

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Large parking area off of Frank Applegate Road.

TRAIL MAPS:
Metedeconk Preserve - New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail - Jackson Pathfinders
There is a new trail called the "Spur Trail" that is not shown on either map above but it is on this map.

HIKE DISTANCE:  1.75 miles
Hiked in conjunction with Forest Resource Education Center trails, about a 5 mile drive away.

THE HIKE:

The trail starts at the gate next to the kiosk.  It is blazed with either yellow or white NJCF markers, yellow paint blazes or blank orange or yellow plastic diamonds - all the same trail.  The trails are very pretty and interesting going through a variety of forests and along the river.

Fancy bird McMansion.

The trails had all been cleared of Sandy blowdowns - how nice and much appreciated!  (Getting really, really tired of climbing in/through/under/over/around blowdowns...)

South Branch Metedeconk River

Benches at scenic river overlook.

The new Spur Trail - starts out with green markers then when it loops back around the markers are blue.

Some mallards that weren't expecting a hiker and flew away.

HIKE SUMMARY:
(NOTE:  Trail blazes are a combination of white or yellow NJCF markers, yellow paint, or orange and yellow diamonds [either blank or with an arrow] on the Silver Stream Trail.  The Spur Trail is blazed in green then changes to blue.)
[  0.00]  Continue beyond gate from parking lot
[  0.05]  Turn right when trail splits
[  0.10]  Cross footbridge with two more coming up
[  0.45]  Trail enters pretty pine forest then crosses footbridge
[  0.60]  Two benches at overlook above South Branch Metedeconk River
[  0.70]  Descend steps to boardwalk along river, turn left at end of boardwalk when bridge goes right
[  0.75]  Turn right on green-blazed Spur Trail
[  0.90]  At fork keep right and cross creek
[  1.00]  Trail veers to the left to loop back around and markers change from green to blue
[  1.15]  Rock hop creek and blazes are green again; keep left and follow along right side of creek
[  1.20]  Keep straight on green when green also goes left completing loop
[  1.35]  Turn right on white/yellow Silver Stream Trail, cross footbridge and keep right
[  1.55]  Cross boardwalk
[  1.65]  Keep straight when trail also goes left completing main loop
[  1.75]  Back at parking lot