Valley Forge National Historical Park, PA - Mount Misery and Mount Joy

ABOUT THE PARK:
Valley Forge - National Park Service
See "The Story of Valley Forge Mountain" for an interesting history of the hiking areas.

DIRECTIONS:
Washington's Headquarters Parking:
GPS  Coordinates 40.102376, -75.457431
(My GPS did not tell me to turn in the proper place for the last turn into the parking lot.  Turn right at the sign to Washington's HQ parking if your GPS does not tell you to turn.)

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TRAIL MAP:
Mount Misery Trail Map
Mount Joy Trail Map
(Maps open better in IE than Firefox.)

Map of trails from parking lot through Washington' Headquarters to Valley Creek and Horseshoe Trails.

HIKE DISTANCE:
3.95 miles - Mount Misery
4.30 miles - Mount Joy
7.55 miles - Mount Misery and Mount Joy

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Both the Mount Misery and Mount Joy trails can be accessed from Washington's Headquarters parking lot.  The hikes can be done together or separately and you can spend some time exploring the Washington's Headquarters area.

From the parking lot take the sidewalk that curves back and forth down to the train station.

Walk through the train station platform all the way to the end then turn left and go down the steps.  The building ahead on the left is Washington's Headquarters.

Continue straight as the sidewalk turns into a gravel path.  You can explore this area before or after the hike but you want to end up on this gravel path heading towards the stoplight at the road to get to the Horse-Shoe Trail.

At the stop light, cross the road then turn right walking in the grassy area along the road and cross over the bridge.  Just after the bridge turn left following the sign for the Horse-Shoe Trail and Valley Creek Trail.  Follow the yellow blazes for the Horse-Shoe Trail which will take you up Mount Misery.  The Valley Creek Trail will be the return route.

Yellow blaze of the Horse-Shoe Trail

The Horse-Shoe Trail going up Mount Misery

Ruins along the Horse-Shoe Trail

Ruins of a Bottling Plant at Colonial Springs on the Horse-Shoe Trail

Where the yellow-blazed Horse-Shoe Trail goes right just after the the trail register and the yellow horseshoe on the tree, turn left following the sign for the covered bridge.  The trail will eventually have white blazes.

Limited seasonal views from Mount Misery

The white-blazed trail descends to a parking lot.  Walk through the parking lot, turn left on the paved road and walk towards the covered bridge.  Pick up the Valley Creek trail to the left of the covered bridge.

Covered Bridge - 1865

Valley Creek Trail

At the end of the Valley Creek Trail, turn right on Valley Forge Road and cross back over the bridge.  Either turn left and cross over at the stop light to complete the hike or continue straight crossing over Valley Creek Road to go on to Mount Joy.  The trail starts to the right just a few steps after crossing Valley Creek Road.

Trail going up Mount Joy

View from top of Mount Joy.

Old observatory sign.

The sign above was for the Mount Joy Observatory built in the early 1900's and demolished in the 1980's.  The trail leads to a clearing which I believe is the summit where the observatory would have stood.  This link gives more information.  Beyond the clearing the trail continues downhill and across paved roads to a new observation deck:

The observatory sign leads to an observation deck at Redoubt 3.

The Mount Joy trail eventually joins up with the paved multi-use Joseph Plumb Martin Trail briefly before looping back around for the return route.

Heading back through Washington's HQ area to the parking lot.

How sweet of Friends of Valley Forge Park to put a dog water bowl outside the restrooms! 

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  From parking lot follow curvy sidewalk downhill to Valley Forge Train Station; at the end of the train station platform turn left down the steps; continue straight to gravel path to stop light at Valley Forge Park Road
[  0.50] Cross over Valley Forge Park Road at stop light; turn right and cross bridge over creek; follow yellow blazes to left for Horse-Shoe Creek Trail
[  0.70]  Turn right at information kiosk
[  0.80]  Keep left at fork
[  0.85]  Keep straight on yellow-blazed Horse-Shoe Trail when the Valley Creek Trail goes left
[  0.90]  Trail turns right where trail straight ahead is blocked by wooden beam
[  1.15]  Ruins on left
[  1.45]  Just beyond trail register turn left on white-blazed trail towards covered bridge when the yellow-blazed Horse-Shoe Trail turns right
[  1.75]  Map shows trail split that I missed - keep right
[  1.85]  Trail forks at unmarked intersection, keep left (not on map)
[  2.15]  Walk through parking lot; turn left on paved road and walk towards covered bridge
[  2.25]  Turn left just before covered bridge and proceed down to the Valley Creek Trail
[  2.60]  Keep straight on the Valley Creek Trail when an unmarked trail comes in from the left
[  3.10]  At intersection turn right on yellow-blazed Horse Shoe Trail heading back towards Valley Forge Park Road
[  3.35]  Turn right on Valley Park Road and cross over bridge
                *** for Mount Misery 3.95 mile hike only turn left at light back to parking lot ***
[  3.45]  Cross over Valley Creek Road and shortly thereafter turn right on gravel road following sign towards Mount Joy (Mount Joy trail will not be blazed)
[  3.55]  Veer right at fork; left will be the return route
[  3.70]  Keep straight as trail (not on map) comes in from left
[  3.95]  Keep right as trail comes in from left (left will be return route)
[  4.10]  Keep right with paved road and bridge on left (bridge will be return route)
[  4.25]  Turn left at old observatory sign; cross over clearing
[  4.40]  At split go either way as trails will join back together
[  4.50]  Cross paved road and keep straight; keep right at fork
[  4.60]  Cross parking lot to viewing deck; retrace steps all the way back to old observatory sign
[  5.05]  Turn left at old observatory sign to continue on Mount Joy trail
[  5.60]  Keep left on paved trail when dirt trail ends; shortly ahead turn left on paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail
[  5.80]  Pass cannons, cabin and restrooms on the right
[  5.95]  After crossing parking lot exit, watch on the left a few steps ahead for a clearing through the woods; turn left, cross over street and proceed through that clearing on an umarked trail (green trail on map) which leads to the wooden footbridge from earlier
[  6.10]  Cross wooden footbridge, cross paved road, then turn right on dirt trail to head back to Washington's Headquarters
[  6.25]  Keep right at the fork
[  6.65]  Keep straight as trail comes in from left
[  6.75]  Turn left at Valley Forge Road; cross Valley Creek Road; turn left and cross Valley Forge Road at light
[  7.25]  Arrive at parking lot

Hartshorne Woods Park, Middletown, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:  Hartshorne Woods Park - Monmouth County Parks

DIRECTIONS:
Buttermilk Valley Entrance:  GPS Coordinates 40.401525, -74.012600

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TRAIL MAP:  Hartshorne Woods Park Trail Map and Brochure

HIKE DISTANCE:
3 miles - Buttermilk Valley section
6 miles - Buttermilk Valley and Monmouth Hills sections
9 miles - Buttermilk Valley, Monmouth Hills and Rocky Point sections

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
The trails are not blazed but most of the intersections are marked with posts.  Just off the parking lot is a kiosk which was stocked with maps when I was there and a water fountain for both humans and canines.

The green Candlestick Trail starts in this immediate area.  To pick up the blue Laurel Ridge Trail, head towards the porta potty on the right to find the Laurel Ridge Trail just to the left of the porta potty.

Laurel Ridge Trail

The view from the side trail off of the blue square Laurel Ridge trail has limited views in the winter, most likely no view in the summer:

Views are somewhat better at the Rocky Point Trail viewing area:

Black Fish Cove Pier

Black Fish Cove

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take the blue square Laurel Ridge Trail to the left of the porta potty
[  0.70]  Keep left at the fork where right goes to ranger's residences
[  1.00]  Turn right on green overlook trail
[  1.15]  Overlook with limited view; follow around and loop back to intersection
[  1.30]  Right on blue square to continue on Laurel Ridge Trail
[  2.30]  Right on black diamond Grand Tour Trail
              *** keep left to continue on Laurel Ridge Trail for 3 mile hike ***
[  2.75]  Keep left on black diamond trail; woods road to maintenance area goes right
[  3.20]  At T-intersection turn right staying on black diamond Grand Tour Trail
[  3.50]  Turn left where sign indicates right turn to Hartshorne Road (not on map)
[  3.75]  Turn right at unmarked intersection where black Grand Tour continues to the left
              *** turn left to continue on Grand Tour Trail for approx 6 mile hike ***
[  4.00]  Cross straight over paved trail to black diamond Rocky Point Trail (Command Loop to right on paved trail)
[  4.25]  Cross paved trail to continue on black diamond Rocky Point Trail (Bunker Loop to right on paved trail)
[  4.75]  Turn right and go beyond wooden barrier for side trail to view; return to Rocky Point Trail
[  4.90]  Continue right on Rocky Point Trail
[  5.45]  Cross bridge, turn right on paved trail towards restroom; follow around to steps on right down to Black Fish Cove; leave Black Fish Cove uphill on paved trail to right of steps; turn right to continue on Rocky Point Trail just after fork in paved trail (unmarked)
[  6.00]  Turn right on paved trail to view; backtrack
[  6.15]  Continue to the right on black diamond Rocky Point Trail (unmarked but opposite marker on left)
[  6.75]  Cross over bridge
[  6.95]  Right on paved road and proceed between pillars with sign for authorized vehicles only; green water tank on right (parking lot on left); straight when paved Bunker Loop goes left
[  7.05]  Right on blue square Cuesta Ridge Trail
[  7.25]  Keep straight on Cuesta Ridge Trail where umarked trail goes left
[  8.00]  Turn right on black diamond Grand Tour Trail at intersection with log bench on left; keep left at split with water tower straight ahead (not on map)
[  8.05]  Cross straight over gravel road (not on map)
[  8.15]  Keep left at fork (not on map) then cross gravel road (not on map)
[  8.50]  Turn right on Laurel Ridge (woods road) where sign says Laurel Ridge straight ahead (right will be the other direction of Laurel Ridge but no sign stating that just arrow to parking)
[  9.00]  Arrive back at parking lot

White Clay Creek State Park, DE and White Clay Creek Preserve, PA

ABOUT THE PARKS:
White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware State Parks
White Clay Creek Preserve, Pennsylvania State Parks

DIRECTIONS:
Delaware Side Parking:
Directions for this hike are from this parking lot (parking fee applies March 1 - November 30)
GPS Coordinates 39.733245, -75.760314

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Pennsylvania Side Parking:
This hike passes by two parking areas on the Pennsylvania side (no parking fees).

Park Office GPS Coordinates 39.746852, -75.774100

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Parking Lot #2 GPS Coordinates  39.749642, -75.771119

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TRAIL MAPS:
White Clay Creek Preserve Trail Map - Pennsylvania DCNR
White Clay Creek Watershed Trails - Delaware State Parks

HIKE DISTANCE:
These directions offer 3 options:
3.85 miles - from DE along White Clay Creek into PA historical area and back
4.90 miles - same as above with DE Nature Center option
6.70+ miles - same as above with visit to historic Arc Monument at The Wedge

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
The trail blazes/markers do not necessarily correspond with the map so I will try to clarify that in the summary below.  The hike starts to the left of the information board in the Delaware parking lot.  The trail will be marked in blue in various ways with posts or blazes:

After following along a clearing, the trail will join up with White Clay Creek.

The trail crosses into Pennsylvania

The trail continues to follow scenic White Clay Creek.

PA park office with indoor heated restroom open year round.

London Tract Meeting House (1729) with old cemetery.

Back along White Clay Creek.

Continue back into Delaware.

The yellow/blue-blazed Twin Valley Trail goes through fragrant pine forests.

The Arc Monument dated 1892.

Additional hiking on Twin Valley trail not included in directions - see *** below.

Back to the parking lot along the Nature Preserve trail.

HIKE SUMMARY:

• Trails do not always coincide with names/colors on map.
• Trail names are, for the most part, not shown on trail markers.
• Almost every trail marker has the round blue Mason-Dixon Trail emblem so this refers to just more than the Mason-Dixon Trail along White Clay Creek as shown on both maps.
• The trails along White Clay Creek are consistently marked with blue posts or blazes (Nature Preserve and Creek Road trails on DE map).
• Where the blue/yellow trail is referenced below, not all intersections are marked, sometimes trail markers have both colors, other times just blue or just yellow, sometimes old faded yellow blazes on trees - referred to as Twin Valley Trail on map in yellow/purple.

[  0.00]  Facing the information board at end of parking lot turn left on blue trail (referred to as red/white Nature Preserve Trail DE on map)
[  0.55]  Post indicating state line
[  0.65]  PA park sign; keep straight on blue-blazed trail
[  1.35]  Turn right over bridge; orange Edwin Leid trail goes straight
[  1.65]  2 mile marker
[  1.75]  Turn left at intersection towards parking lot #2 then left at fork
[  1.85]  At end of trail turn left then immediately right; left on paved road/orange Edwin Leid trail
[  2.25]  Park office with restrooms on right then the historic London Tract Meeting House (1729) with cemetery; left on South Bank Road/orange Edwin Leid trail
[  2.40]  Trail turns left off of paved road just over bridge
[  2.50]  Keep straight on blue trail where bridge is to the left
[  3.20]  DE park sign; at split keep right on blue Pendell Trail (shown as Peltier Road on PA map, red Creek Road on DE map)
     ~ ~ ~ turn left at split to return to parking lot for 3.85 mile hike ~ ~ ~
[  3.30]  State line marker on post indicating green Creek Trail marker but still blue-blazed trail
[  3.60]  Cross over paved Chambers Rock Road
[  4.00]  Keep left on blue-blazed dirt road (still red Creek Road on DE map) beyond barrier where private drive goes right (private drive not on map)
[  4.10]  Keep straight on dirt road when trail goes to left (return route later); Nature Center on right
     ~ ~ ~ turn left on trail opposite Nature Center back to parking lot for 4.9 mile hike ~ ~ ~
[  4.30]  Cross over paved Hopkins Road; turn right up steps into pine forest on unmarked trail shortly after crossing barrier (if you cross the bridge you missed it)
[  4.45]  Turn right at intersection on blue/yellow trail (yellow/purple Twin Valley Trail on DE map); some old yellow blazes on trees
[  4.75]  Arc Monument on right, turn left uphill
[  4.90]  Keep straight at interection on unmarked where blue/yellow goes right
[  5.05]  Arrive at clearing with picnic tables; turn left on unmarked trail
[  5.10]  Turn right on yellow/blue trail where sign indicates trail to left goes to #32
[  5.20]  Trail veers right through stone building ruins
[  5.40]  After crossing over bridge*** then turn left on unmarked trail (some trees have white blazes)
[  5.60]  Turn Left over bridge on wide blue blazed trail along White Clay Creek (red Creek Road on DE map)
[  5.70]  Cross over paved Hopkins Road
[  5.90]  Turn right on trail (referred to as red/white Nature Preserve Trail DE on map) leaving dirt road at Nature Center
[  6.65]  Cross over paved Chambers Rock Road
[  6.70]  Arrive back at parking lot

*** Turn right additional hiking.  I had intended to include a longer loop through this section in the hike summary but because the trails were not well marked I ended up hiking an additional 5 miles with no cohesive way of including it for others to follow. It is certainly worth exploring if you want to and add some miles.

Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, NJ - Mt. Misery Trail

ABOUT THE PARK:  Brendan T. Byrne State Forest - NJ Division of Parks and Forests

DIRECTIONS:
Pakim Pond picnic area parking lot:
GPS coordinates 39.880188, -74.533664

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TRAIL MAP:  
This park used to be called Lebanon State Forest and the map currently in use is still the Lebanon State Forest Trail Map.  There were trail maps available in the kiosk at the trailhead but that might not always be the case.  I could not find the map online so this is a scan of the Mt. Misery Trail (white-blazed trail) portion.  Click on the image to enlarge.

The yellow trail on the map, which shown as a bike trail, is actually the same as a paved road (Shinns Road) which goes through the park.  This road was plowed and drivable from the park office to Pakim Pond during snow cover, but not plowed much beyond Pakim Pond.  The map made more sense to me once I figured out that the yellow trail, Shinns Road and the paved road I kept crossing over were one and the same. 

HIKE DISTANCE:
The white-blazed Mt. Misery Trail is 8.5 miles but it does not form a complete loop so there is an additional mile of hiking to form a loop of 9.5 miles total.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Facing Pakim Pond, go to the far left corner of the parking lot to access the trails.  A short distance ahead, rest rooms are to the right (open in the winter), veer left following white/red/pink trail markers to the split.  Where the pink-blazed Batona Trail goes left, turn right on the white-blazed Mt. Misery Trail.

Pakim Pond

When there was no snow, much of the Mt. Misery trail was covered with pine needles.

White trail along road through densely packed trees.

Old wrecked car along trail.

Trail is marked with plastic posts and white blazes on trees, some new but most old and faded.

I

Cranberry Bogs

White trail follows sand roads through cranberry bogs and reservoirs.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  From the far left corner of parking lot, access white/pink/red trails which will veer left
[  0.15]  Turn right on the white-blazed Mt. Misery Trail at the split where pink goes left; take boardwalk over Pakim Pond
[  0.85]  Trail turns left on to a wider trail
[  1.00]  Trail crosses over wider road with yellow blaze to the left and green blaze to the right (not shown on map)
[  1.10]  Keep straight where unmarked trail goes right - tree has both white and orange blaze
[  1.15]  White trail goes right at plastic post marker; white and orange blaze on tree
[  1.50]  A few steps beyond a green blaze on tree, white trail turns left on foot path
[  1.85]  Turn left at T-intersection (unmarked) just before the paved (orange trail) road
[  2.15]  White trail turns left and joins paved (orange trail) road
[  2.30]  Cross intersection with composting toilet on right; turn white on white trail just beyond intersection
[  2.50]  Right on white trail when unmarked trail goes left (not on map)
[  2.55]  Up and over hill, turn left (no blazes or markers indicating left turn); continue through pit, uphill out of pit then turn right (marked)
[  2.90]  Pass ruins of old car along right side of trail; trail turns right shortly beyond car
[  3.20]  White trail turns right on the paved (orange trail) road
[  3.30]  White trail leaves paved (orange trail) road to the left on foot trail at "Mt. Misery 2 miles" sign
[  3.70]  White trail turns left along paved (orange trail) road
[  3.75]  White trail leaves paved (orange trail) road to the right on a foot path
[  4.30]  Cross woods road (not on map)
[  5.20]  Arrive at Mt. Misery - three white blazes on tree indicate end of trail but this is not the case; cross road, veer to left behind brown house with NO TRESPASSING sign, turn left on white trail (by orange/yellow/blue blaze on tree)
[  5.25]  White goes left where blue/orange go straight (not on map)
[  5.35]  Jog right then left on to wider woods road
[  5.45]  Right at fork (not on map)
[  5.90]  White trail leaves woods road to the right
[  6.40]  Trail turns left at marked T-intersection (not on map) then right
[  6.60]  Cross over paved (orange trail) road
[  6.65]  Veer left as another trail merges in from the right
[  7.05]  Follow white trail through cranberry bogs
[  7.50]  Turn left on white trail at the end of the bog; keep right at split
[  7.65]  Left at split beyond field with electric fence
[  7.70]  Atlantic White Cedar Restoration sign on left
[  7.80]  White trail turns right on woods road
[  8.05]  Cross woods road to other side of brown wooden barrier and continue straight
[  8.50]  End of white-blazed Mt. Misery trail; turn left (not well blazed but will be red trail)
[  9.15]  Keep straight when pink Batona Trail joins the red trail
[  9.50]  Cross road and turn right beyond guardrail; pass Mt. Misery trailhead walking towards restroom building, turn left before restrooms back to parking lot