Mercer Meadows, NJ - Pole Farm, Rosedale Lake and Curlis Lake Woods

ABOUT THE PARK:
Mercer Meadows - Mercer County Park Commission

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Ccoordinates 40.312697, -74.736789

Parking at The Red Barn.

TRAIL MAP:
Mercer Meadows Trail Map - Mercer County Park Commission

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HIKE DISTANCE:  10 miles

THE HIKE:

Starting from the parking lot on a gravel path

The gravel paths have directional signs at every corner.  The mowed paths have posts, the footpaths have very little in the way of signage.  Trails are not marked.

The gravel path runs into the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, which links the various parks together,  at the Pole Farm Interpretive Site.

Wet mourning doves in the fog.

I tried to stay off of gravel paths as much as possible so we kept straight on a mowed path.

This is a different rabbit than the one above.  Fawns and rabbit all having breakfast together

Brodie noticed them but nobody moved fast so he didn't get over the top excited like he sometimes does.

Balloon #44 of the year.  This is from the defunct Toys R Us birthday club.  Maybe someday this balloon collection will be worth something!

Coming up on a road crossing.

At the Hunt House we turned left on the mowed path.

Willow Pond

On the Stony Brook Trail.

Stony Brook

Where the map shows a trail back over to the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, there was nothing but an overgrown field.

I went back and followed the park app but no trail in sight and ended up at the same place as before.

We just had to hack our way through the overgrowth up to the LHT.

Rosedale Lake from the LHT.  Looking down to the left I noticed that there was a footpath coming up from the Stony Brook Trail on the other side of the outlet where the map shows the trail ends.  So to get here, rock hop across the outlet then turn left.

Passing by the fanciest dog park I have ever seen.  The last time we stopped at a dog park Brodie became very overwhelmed so I had not planned on taking him in.  Maybe on the way back.  We'd have to see.

Equestrian District

Entering Curlis Woods.

Curlis Lake

Coming back around along the other side of the Equestrian Center.

Birds everywhere!

Back at the dog park there were not that many dogs and the place is huge so we went in.

Much better than the last dog park Brodie was at.  He was not overwhelmed at all.

He even made a few new friends ...

... who got him to give chase.

Back along Rosedale Lake.

Shade Shelter

North Observation Tower

Nature Blind

Back at The Red Barn where we parked.

Swatara State Park, PA - Applachian Trail and Moonshine Trail

ABOUT THE PARK:
Swatara State Park - Pennsylvania DCNR

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.480772, -76.531475
But....  don't rely on your GPS.  Mine took me on a wild goose chase and fortunately I was familiar with the area so I was able to figure out how to go no matter how much my GPS protested.  Google Maps gives accurate directions.

Swatara Rail Trail - Waterville Bridge Trailhead Parking

TRAIL MAP:
Swatara State Park Trail Map - Pennsylvania DCNR

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HIKE DISTANCE:
3.4 miles of a planned 11-mile hike because of impassable Appalachian Trail section due to flooding.
Hiked together with 5.4 miles at SGL 211 - Stony Valley Rail Trail

THE HIKE:
I always bring along Plan B, Plan C and sometimes more because you never know what you might run into on a hike.  After a week of thunderstorms there was more flooding in Pennsylvania than I had expected so having alternate plans paid off.

To start head towards the kiosk then turn left following the Appalachian Trail blazes ...

... doubling back towards the parking lot.

Waterville Bridge

Swatara Creek although it looked more like a river to me.  The water was very high.

Continuing on the AT ...

... and crossing Route 72.

Some sections of trail were very wet.  There should be a drought in August, not flooding!

Water roaring down from higher up.

Some side trails on the left to a creek.

Coming out on AT which was full of construction trucks and equipment.

A jog to the right on the road then left.

Looking back at the parking lot - good thing I made note of it because in a few minutes I was going to realize I would need to park there on a day with no flooding to pick back up on this hike.

It was muddy going under Route 443 but at least the water had drained down enough.

Just after coming through the underpass, the AT was obliterated in deep flood water.

Even though someone had placed branches across, I could see after that section of dry land, way more flooding and roaring whitewater on the other side.  I was not going to chance it but Brodie ...

See I did not think this was going to be a good idea.

This was his worst nightmare but I am sure had had to agree that it felt pretty darned good on a hot and humid day.

This is how I was planning on finishing the hike on our return route but now was as good a time as any.

Either way comes out at the same place, we went left.

Then right ...

... on the Swatara Rail Trail.

Following along Swatara Creek.

Down a side trail for a closer look.

Back at the Waterville Bridge.

Union Canal on the left.

Back at the car and on to Plan B.