Sunday, October 4, 2015

State Game Lands 316, PA - Cobey Pond


ABOUT THE PARK:
Trails of the Upper Delaware River Valley - National Park Service

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.558605, -75.077427
I had parked in this lot because I could not see that there was more parking up ahead closer to the gate.

TRAIL MAP:
Two slightly different versions of the map yet there were more trails and parking lots than shown on either map.

Pike Outdoors brochure page 9.
State Game Lands 316, PA - Cobey Pond at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCES:
These four hikes all done in one day along with a scenic drive from one to the other.
   SGL 316, PA - Cobey Pond - 2.5 miles
      drive 9.3 miles/20 minutes to
   Damascus Forest, PA - 1.5 miles
      drive 26.4 miles/53 minutes to
   Bouchoux Trail - Jensen's Ledges, NY - 2.5 miles
      drive 34.5 miles/57 minutes to
   Tusten Mountain Trail, NY - 3.5 miles


THE HIKE:
Beautiful drive early in the morning.
Entering the SGL, you cross over scenic Masthope Creek.  The map shows a trail along the creek.  Must go back!
We had to walk farther on that hideous chunky gravel than we had to as to the right (left facing the gate) is a parking lot that can't be seen when  you pull in.
This is called the Cobey Pond Trail but there is nothing that says that, no markers, no blazes, nothing.  I went right here since I could see there was none of the gravel to the left and figuring that was the return route, wanted to get the gravel out of the way first.
The foliage was pretty.
But that gravel was icky for both of us and I was becoming very disappointed with this hike.
Finally some room off to the side with no gravel.
Good morning!
Ah ha, the source of all of the annoying gravel.
And Cobey Pond beyond that but first to the dock.
Starting a counter clockwise look with just a little more gravel ...
... and it ends before the bridge.
Looking back at the dock.
Easy going here.
Now we were enjoying this hike and it turned out to be quite nice.
This gentleman must have been in his late 70's and he JOGGED right by us!
After going around 3 sides of the pond, take the right fork.
A look back at the pond.
At the next fork, veer left.
End up back on the chunky gravel and turn right to...
... the gate and ...
... the parking lots beyond.

Tusten Mountain Trail, NY



ABOUT THE PARK:
Hiking the Tusten Mountain Trail - National Park Service
Trails of the Upper Delaware River Valley - National Park Service

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.554277, -75.019073
Parking at the Ten Mile River Access.

TRAIL MAP:
 Tusten Mountain Trail at EveryTrail

HIKE DISTANCES:
These four hikes all done in one day along with a scenic drive from one to the other.
   SGL 316, PA - Cobey Pond - 2.5 miles
      drive 9.3 miles/20 minutes to
   Damascus Forest, PA - 1.5 miles
      drive 26.4 miles/53 minutes to
   Bouchoux Trail - Jensen's Ledges, NY - 2.5 miles
      drive 34.5 miles/57 minutes to
   Tusten Mountain Trail, NY - 3.5 miles


THE HIKE:
The trail starts to the right of the kiosk on the gravel road...
... along the Delaware River then ...
Ten Mile River.
Veer left and cross the Stone Arch Bridge which was constructed in 1875.
Ten Mile River from the bridge.
Continuing along the gravel road.
Views of the Delaware River along the way.
The trail leave the road to the right...
... and enters the woods to a trail register.
We did the loop counter clockwise.
Fourth hike of the day!
There is an option for the steepest part of the climb.
Which way would Shawnee choose to go?
I figured she would want to take the easier route.
At the next sign the trail turns right but we continued on to explore...
... old bluestone quarries.
Back on the trail to continue to the overlook.
Not a whole lot to see at the overlook if you are my height.  Maybe a taller person could see more.
The rest is all downhill on a woods road after a little bit of a scramble over rocks and downed trees.
Back at the trail register.
Heading back to...
... the gravel road along the Delaware River.
A view of the Stone Arch Bridge from the bank of Ten Mile River.
Ten Mile River
Ten Mile River flowing into the Delaware River.
Having some dinner while I abandoned her for a few minutes to...
... get an evening shot of the Delaware River from the access.