Manasquan Reservoir, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:
Manasquan Reservoir - Monmouth County Park System

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.177684, -74.220032

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Environmental Center Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP:
Manasquan Reservoir Trail Map - Monmouth County Park System

Manasquan Reservoir, NJ at EveryTrail

HIKE DISTANCE:  5.7 miles

THE HIKE:

Starting on the Perimeter Trail from the Environmental Center parking lot going clockwise.

Heading in this direction gets the road part out of the way first.

Reservoir views from the road walk.

It's actually kind of sad, the tiny strip of wildlife habitat between the road and the reservoir.  Who would live there?

The Perimeter Trail is all wide multi-use trail...

... with many restroom opportunities.

Although it's a busy place even on a week day in the winter, there are some quieter sections.

A wildlife blind off to the left overlooking Wetland #1.

A Wetland #1 resident.

Back at the reservoir.

No access to the dam.

Tons of ducks in the reservoir, mostly common mergansers and

American coots.

Coming up on the main parking lot.

Visitor center and boat launch.

The Environmental Center from the Visitor Center boat launch area.

Back on the Perimeter Trail where it actually starts in the main parking lot.

The Cove Trail leaves to the left and adds a bit of distance back to the parking lot.

We stayed on the Perimeter Trail...

... and ran into a long-time virtual hiking friend and blog follower!

Watchung Reservation, NJ - Seeley's Pond

ABOUT THE PARK:
Watchung Reservation - Union County, NJ

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.668684, -74.403621

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Seeley's Pond Picnic Area Parking

TRAIL MAP:  
Watchung Reservation Trail Map - County of Union, NJ
Watchung Reservation, NJ - Seeley's Pond at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  5 miles

THE HIKE:

A walk from the parking lot back towards Sky Top Drive across the field leads to ...

... a footpath with a rock hop over Blue Brook.  There weren't enough rocks to get over without getting wet so we backtracked, walked out the Seeley's Pond Picninc Area drive, turned right on Sky Top Drive, crossed the bridge,

then took the trail on the right from the roadside parking area on Sky Top Road, which is alternate parking but I prefer the parking lot with getting dogs in and out of the car.

An unmarked footpath follows Blue Brook and leads to nice views of Seeley's Pond.

Even though the path is unmarked, it is maintained and easy to follow.

The unmarked path leads to the dam at the other end of Seeley's Pond.

The unmarked path connects to the white-blazed trail.

The Overlook

A very short road walk crosses straight over Sky Top Drive to an unmarked trail beyond the barrier.

This trail doesn't appear to be heavily used but it is easy to follow.

After crossing over the white trail, it follows along the top of a steep gorge.

Blue Brook down below.

Blue Brook, very low water level right now.

After crossing the bridge over Blue Brook and turning left, to the left is the pink trail and the unmarked trail on the right leads...

uphill to the Deserted Village of Feltville.

The Deserted Village of Feltville.

On unmarked footpaths around the Archeology School Site.

Joining up with the pink trail.

Back on white over the boardwalk.

The intersection of Glenside Avenue and Sky Top Drive.

A short road walk on Sky Top Drive over the bridge back to ...

the entrance of Seeley's Pond Picnic Area.