Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, NJ - Timberdoodle Trail

ABOUT THE PARK:
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge - US Fish and Wildlife Service
Wallkill River Nature Trails - US Fish and Wildlife Service
No dogs allowed on this trail.

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.25459, -74.54323

There is no sign for the parking lot but directly across the street from this sign (there is no parking at this sign)...

... turn into the drive to ... (PS - that is bear scat on the road to the left)

... the parking area.  This is looking back out towards Bassett's Bridge Road.

TRAIL MAP:
Refuge Map (shows all trails) - US Fish and Wildlife Service
Timberdoodle Trail (only shows first part to Kelly Road) - US Fish and Wildlife Service

HIKE DISTANCE:
Timberdoodle Trail - 4.7 miles (2.35 miles each way)
hiked together with a 4 mile drive to:
Winding Waters Trail - 2.6 miles

THE HIKE:
Shawnee had to sit this one out because she has been having trouble with one of her back legs toeing in and collapsing all week.  It's much better than it was earlier in the week but I felt it best she stay home this weekend so I took the opportunity to do a no dogs allowed hike.  I did my best to sneak out without her but it is very hard to fool her when one is sneaking out to go hiking without her.

Start of the Timberdoodle Trail.

It's all old rail bed to pretty much a straight shot out 2.3 miles, except for a short section that bypasses the rail bed along a field

Makes for some nice aerobic steps for a change. 

One road crossing at Kelly Road.

Another parking area on Kelly Road if you want to knock about a mile off of this hike.

If anyone lost these glasses, here they are at the Kelly Road trail gate.

This section starts to open up  a little ...

... for some countryside views to the left ...

... and to the right.

There is a nice breeze blasting down the corridor when it's hot in the sun.

Not sure why this sign is here unless it means off trail to the left because the best part of the hike is yet to come.

Meow.  Yes, that is what he said.  It's another gray catbird.

On the left a swamp comes into view ...

... that becomes a lovely pond at a bench.

A Great Blue Heron taking off.

The trail continues on a short distance along some swamps ...

... before it ends.

Heading back.

A hawk on the far side of the pond.

More bear scat but never saw any bears.

Back at the parking area.

I had seen this roadside stand on the way from Winding Waters to Timberdoodle on Oil City Road so I went back to buy some farm fresh produce before heading home.

Appalachian Trail NJ: Pochuck Mountain to Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

ABOUT THIS PARK:
Appalachian Trail - NY/NJ Trail Conference
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge - US Fish and Wildlife Services

DIRECTIONS:
Appalachian Trail Parking on Route 565

GPS Coordinates 41.249825,-74.497962

View Larger Map

Pull-out parking for 2-3 cars

TRAIL MAPS:
Appalachian Trail Guide to New York-New Jersey - NY/NJ Trail Conference
Wallkill River NWR Brochure - US Fish and Wildlife Services

APPALACHIAN TRAIL SECTION HIKING:
TrailHeadFinder.com - AT section miles 1335.9 to 1330.8

HIKE DISTANCE:
9.7 miles total out and back if not hiking with a dog
10.2 miles total out and back if hiking with a dog
Can be done as a 5.25 mile shuttle hike by spotting a car at Wallkill River NWR (41.283434, -74.526079)

THE HIKE:

The Appalachian Trail on Pochuck Mountain.

Partial views from one of the Pochuck Mountain summits (apparently there are several summits).

You will encounter several swamp crossings on boards.

Almost 2 miles into the hike, open views of the Wallkill Valley and High Point Monument in the distance.

High Point Monument

An almost continuous .4 mile section of boardwalk over swamps just before entering Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.

Entering the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge.

There is conflicting information regarding the dog policy online but this is what the sign says.  The fact that dogs are allowed at all on a portion of this trail is probably due to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers with dogs so please, leash your dog while here!  This area is a quiet haven for birds.

Being a model canine citizen and not disturbing the birds.

Looking back across Liberty Marsh towards Pochuck Mountain.

Taking a break where the AT leaves Wallkill River NWR and heads back across Pochuck Mountain.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[0.00]    Route 565 pullout parking; head south on white-blazed Appalachian Trail (same side of road as parking)
[0.10]    Cross wooden bridge over stream
[0.35]    Pass through red cedars
[0.40]    Cross swampy area on boards then rock hop over stream
[0.60]    Cross dirt road
[0.90]    Cross swampy area on boards 
[1.15]    One of the summits of Pochuck Mountain; side trail on right to limited views
[1.35]    Cross dirt road
[1.85]    Overlook of Wallkill Valley and High Point
[2.15]    Cross woods road
[2.45]    Summit of western ridge of Pochuck Mtn; begin to descend
[2.65]    Blue blazed side trail to Pochuck Mountain Shelter
[3.10]    Cross open field on hillside
[3.20]    Cross paved Lake Wallkill Rd, turn right on road then left into woods
[3.30]    Cross swamp on boards for next .4 miles
[3.70]    Left on Liberty Loop Trail into Wallkill NWR and around Liberty Marsh
[5.10]    At Oil City Road, retrace back to start of hike (can finish Liberty Loop back to AT if not hiking with a dog)