Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Morristown National Historical Park, NJ - Grand Loop Trail


ABOUT THE PARK: 

DIRECTIONS: 
GPS Coordinates 40.772488, -74.528255
New York Brigade Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP: 
Maps at most trail intersections and online HERE.


HIKE DISTANCE: 6.2 miles

THE HIKE: 
Today was my 1-year checkup with the surgeon for my total hip replacement which took place on 12/2/2020.  Hard to imagine that one year ago I was using a walker learning how to walk again.  The surgeon did not seem at all put off by the amount of hiking I am doing, in fact he seemed pretty pleased.  Since his office is minutes from Morristown National Historical Park I took half the day off to, well, hike, of course!  Bonus - no hunting at Morristown National Historical Park so it's a good week day hike during hunting season.  Note that there is hunting at Lewis Morris County Park and this trail skirts the park boundary.  Lewis Morris closes for a few days during rifle season - which happens to start tomorrow (12/8/21) - so something to be aware of.
From the parking lot head towards the kiosk and restroom building ...
... hanging a left behind the kiosk to pick up the blue New York Brigade Trail.
At the intersection, either left or right on white, the Grand Loop Trail.  We went right since there was a woman with two dogs on the left.  That would be what Brodie is looking at.
It's just following white blazes all the way around, sometimes with other trails joining in.
The blue New York Brigade Trail joins in briefly...
... along with the Patriot's Path.
Just the Patriot's Path after blue leaves.
The teal New Jersey Brigade Trail joins.
Crossing Tempe Wick Road.
When the New Jersey Brigade Trail and Patriot's Path leave to the left there is a sign.
It doesn't affect this hike but it's not currently possible to continue on the Patriot's Path.
Balloon #25 of the year.
Crossing back over Tempe Wick Road.
The soldier's huts to the right.
The Patriot's Path joins back in...
... then leaves to the left heading into Lewis Morris County Park.
Crossing Jockey Hollow Road.  The parking lot is just up ahead but we need to finish the loop.
The blue trail joins in.
Cat Swamp Pond
Just after these boards we had completed the Grand Loop Trail so we stayed with blue to the right when white continued left.
Blue back to the parking lot.