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

Estell Manor Park, Atlantic County, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:  Estelle Manor Park, Atlantic County Recreation and Leisure

DIRECTIONS:
Nature Center parking lot:
GPS Coordinates: 39.396375,-74.743123


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TRAIL MAP:  Estell Manor Park Trail Map
Although the map shows names for all of the trails, names are inconsistently noted throughout the park.  All trails are blazed with the same white metal marker, not distinguished by color.  Be sure to print the map or grab a copy just inside the nature center on the left opposite the rest rooms.

HIKE DISTANCE:  9 miles; network of woods roads and boardwalks allow for various lengths

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
If hiking here during hunting season, be sure to hike on Sundays or call the park in advance to find out if the trails are open as most of the park is closed to hikers when hunting is taking place.

The hiking trails start at the far side of the Nature Center by turning right on a paved trail, heading towards the back of the Nature Center.  A short distance ahead the trail forks, the left fork goes to the 1.8 mile boardwalk, the right fork to the fitness trail.  For this hike take the right fork which leads to an observation deck at Stephen's Pond.

Paved trail next to nature center.

Ruins along trail.

Observation deck at Stephen's Pond.

Stephen's Pond view from observation deck.

The hike then follows a short distance along a fitness trail then out to the less manicured part of the park to a clearing which was the site of an old Native American village, along a field with several bird observation blinds, then to the 1.8 mile boardwalk over swamps.

Side sections of the boardwalk lead to views of the South River.

At the end of the boardwalk, Smith Ireland Cemetery on the left with tombstones dated in the early 1800's...

... and on the right, Artesian well ruins

Old packed sand roads run through the northern section of the park along with mountain bike trails.

This land was the site of a glassworks in the 1800's and later a munitions plant during World War 1.  Ruins and foundations along old sand packed roads are are found throughout the center section.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Right on paved path at far side of nature center; right at split; right at second split on Pond Trail (unmarked) with pond on right
[  0.30]  Straight on Pond Trail when Laurel Trail goes left (marked); trail comes in from right; picnic area on right; trail veers left over bridge; keep right at intersection other side of bridge
[  0.50]  Keep left at split rail fence where bridge goes to the right and ruins ahead; fitness trail begins (called Exercise Trail on map)
[  0.60]  Right at intersection (Center Trail - unmarked); cross paved park road, proceed straight (sign with trail names as park road intersection)
[  0.75]  Turn left to observation deck at Stephen's Creek; retrace steps
[  0.95]  Cross paved park road; continue straight to right on fitness trail
[  1.55]  Right at intersection on ; cross paved park road; veer left briefly then right on Oak Barrel Tree Road (unmarked) trail
[  1.75]  Turn right at intersection (#23 on tree) on Cribbers Road (unmarked)
[  1.95]  Arrive at clearing of Native American village site; retrace
[  2.20]  Keep straight on Cribbers Road (unmarked) at intersection with Oak Barrel Tree Road (unmarked)
[  2.30]  Go either way at fork - comes back together on same trail
[  2.45]  Cribber's Field on left with bird blinds
[  2.85]  Turn right at intersection on to boardwalk; keep straight at split
[  3.10]  Keep straight on boardwalk when Sand Hole Road (marked) and an unmarked trail go left
[  3.50]  Keep straight when boardwalk splits to left
[  3.55]  Keep straight when Frog Pond Road (marked) goes left
[  3.95]  Right on side trail to South River view (not on map)
[  4.15]  Right on side trail to second South River view (not on map)
[  4.25]  Smith Ireland Cemetery on left (tombstones from early 1800's); back on boardwalk briefly to artesian well on right; walk straight by river access on gravel road; straight by road to right with metal barrier; keep straight on Smokeless Powder Trail (unmarked) when Camping Loop Road (unmarked) turns sharply to the left
[  4.55]  Go straight beyond two posts with wire barrier joining briefly with mountain bike trail
[  4.65]  Right at intersection on Duck Farm Road (marked)
[  4.95]  Keep straight on Duck Farm Road at intersection where North End Trail goes left (marked); at next split go either way - meets back up
[  5.40]  Turn left at intersection with mountain bike trail (turn left where tree has both park and mountain bike blazes); trail will follow between two mountain bike trails.  If you miss turn you will know right away as the trail becomes an obvious mountain bike track
[  5.90]  Left at intersection
[  5.95]  Keep straight as mountain bike trail crosses over; trail is hard packed sand covered with pine needles
[  6.30]  Right on Duck Farm Road at #200 on tree
[  6.60]  Keep straight at intersection
[  6.75]  Cross metal barrier and keep left on woods road, not mountain bike trails
[  6.90]  Cross Artesian Well Road following sign for North End Trail
[  7.00]  Stay on North End Trail through parking lot and beyond barrier
[  7.15]  Left at unmarked intersection on Store House Road
[  7.25]  Straight at unmarked intersection where Rabbit Square Trail comes in from left
[  7.40]  Straight at unmarked intersection where Change House Trail comes in from left; trail becomes swampy
[  7.50]  At t-intersection turn right on marked Oak Ridge Trail; pass ponds on right
[  7.70]  Trail becomes boardwalk; first intersection right on Frog Pond Road, next intersection, left on Crossover Trail (unmarked)
[  7.90]  Straight at unmarked intersection of Eight Inch Road; short distance ahead veer left as unmarked Tin Box Road goes right
[  8.05]  Straight over TNT Road at unmarked intersection
[  8.20]  Keep right at unmarked intersection when unmarked Highbank Trail goes left; few steps ahead left on unmarked Sand Hole Road at yield sign
[  8.35]  Left at intersection briefly then right on boardwalk
[  8.55]  Keep right on boardwalk as unmarked Cribbers Road trail is straight ahead
[  8.70]  Jog right off boardwalk then left back on to boardwalk
[  8.80]  Cross paved park road to continuation of boardwalk
[  9.00]  Arrive at paved trail behind Nature Center and follow to parking lot

French Creek State Park, PA and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, PA

 

ABOUT THE PARKS:
French Creek State Park - Pennsylvania DCNR
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site - National Park Service

DIRECTIONS:
Although there are several parking options along this route, the Shed Road lot is large, has easy access to trails, and was accessible and plowed when I was there after a snow storm 4 days prior.  
GPS Coordinates 40.217513, -75.775452

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TRAIL MAP:
French Creek State Park Trail Map
I did find this map somewhat confusing to follow with trail names instead of colors so I colored in the trails to illustrate more clearly. 

HIKE DISTANCE:  8.85 miles (plus .7 miles walking around Hopewell Village)

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
This hike starts in French Creek State Park, goes through Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, then finishes through French Creek State Park.  From the Shed Road parking area, cross over Shed Road; cross to the other side of the barrier; turn left on the white with red stripe/green trail.

The hike will follow the white with red stripe Mill Creek Trail for a little over 4 miles.

White with Red Stripe Mill Creek Trail

Miller's Point

Mill Creek

Limited Seasonal Views Along Mill Creek Trail

Yellow with Red Stripe Buzzards Trail

Walk Along Hopewell Road Crossing Route 345 to Hopewell Village

Restrooms at Far End of Hopwell Furnace Administrative Building

Note this sign at intersection at the admin building - return here after exploring Hopewell Village.

Dogs are not allowed in buildings so we peeked in from the outside.

 After returning back to the Reading/Valley Forge sign, the gravel road blazed intermittently in green takes you to the white-circle-blazed Collier Trail, then the green-blazed Lenape Trail, back to the parking lot.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Cross Shed Road; left on white with red stripe combined with green trail
[  0.30]  Keep straight on white with red stripe as green goes right
[  0.70]  Cross power cut
[  1.00]  White with red stripe trail slits - go left
[  1.80]  Miller's Point
[  2.15]  Left on white with red stripe where blue/red trail comes in from the right
[  2.50]  Cross small creek
[  2.75]  Cross small creek
[  2.85]  Cross Mill Creek; keep left on white with red stripe when red comes in from right
[  3.00]  White with red stripe trail makes sharp right turn
[  3.20]  Stay left as unmarked trail goes right
[  3.55]  White with red stripe trail leaves woods road to the right
[  4.35]  Left on yellow with red stripe Buzzards Trail just over top of the hill
[  4.50]  Yellow with red stripe trail splits - go left
[  5.05]  At top of hill left on yellow with red stripe as unmarked goes straight
[  5.90]  Yellow with red stripe trail splits - go left
[  6.25]  Welcome to Hopewell Furnace sign at park boundary
[  6.45]  Keep straight when yellow comes in from right; few steps then turn left at unmarked trail junction
[  6.60]  Cross bridge keep following unmarked trail
[  6.80]  Turn right crossing bridge; then turn left towards paved Hopewell Road
[  6.90]  Turn right and walk along paved Hopewell Road (intermittent green blazes on trees); cross Route 345; continue along Hopwell Road
[  7.25]  Left on gravel road at Admin Office sign with green blaze on tree
[  7.40]  Restrooms at for end of admin office; note Reading/Valley Forge sign at intersection and return to that point after exploring Hopewell Village; continue along green blazed gravel road in the direction of Reading.
[  7.45]  Keep straight at intersection with blue trail, take a few steps then turn right on white circle Collier Trail
[  7.80]  Cross paved park road and continue on white circle trail
[  8.25]  Right on green trail where white trail joins green trail to the left
[  8.75]  Cross intersection of Route 345/Shed Road and continue on green trail; turn left at information board; cross Shed Road at other side of barrier
[  8.85]  Arrive back at parking lot