ABOUT THE PARK:
Wharton State Forest - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Batona Trail Brochure - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 39.645085, -74.646923
Batsto Visitor Center Parking Lot |
TRAIL MAP:
Batona Trail Brochure - NJ Department of Environmental Protection
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HIKE DISTANCE: 12.5 miles (6.25 miles each way)
THE HIKE:
To reach the Batona Trail, take the connector trail to the right of the building at the far end of the parking lot. |
At the sign, turn right to head south on the Batona Trail. |
Crossing Washington Turnpike. |
A right on Washington Turnpike ... |
... for a very short distance ... |
... then back into the woods. |
Where GoogleMaps shows the Batona Trail following named roads, this would be what those roads look like. |
A quick touch on Tylertown Road before heading back into the woods to the right. |
Birds were everywhere but were not very cooperative. |
After mile 16.5 there were several flooded spots but we were able to get around all of them. |
It took some convincing to get Mr. I-Don't-Like-Wet-Paws Brodie to cross. |
He eventually did. |
Side trail to Buttonwood Hill Camp. |
Crossing Bulltown Road. |
This bird off to the left ... |
... only gave me this side to photograph. |
At mile marker 13, our turn around point. |
Taking a break at the 14.5 mile marker. |
The water crossing went better this time since he knew he would survive. |
And waaaaaaaay off to the right ... (It was more of a bushwhack to reach it than I realized.) |
Balloon #4 of the year. |
A glove that was not there before so I left it in case the owner was coming back that way. |
Another bird's behind. |
A left on the connector trail ... |
... back to the parking lot. |