Batona Trail Batsto to Ongs Hat 3 days – 34 miles

Back in November, Skunk, Danny, Pat, and I went for a little three day, 34 mile stroll on the Batona Trail.

(Note: This is more adventure log and not so much trail info.  For trail info, go to https://southjerseytrails.org/batonatrail/)

Three of us managed to get off on Friday (sorry Danny), so we met at Batsto and, after getting our permits, headed off down the Batona.  The first few miles flew and we walked through the areas that burned in the forest fire a few summers back.

The first bit of really [...]

Sleeper Branch Trail – Marilyn Beard Trailhead – Wharton State Park – Waterford, Camden County, NJ Distance – Listed at 5.4 miles on the new map, but this DEFINITELY does not include mandatory backtracking.  Actual hike is 8.2 miles total according to the old map and me walking the trail. Type – Lollipop Difficulty:  5 of 10 (puddles, flooding, missing trail markers)

Website – Wharton State Forest Open – Sunrise to Sunset.

Terrain – Woods and swamp Surface – Sand

Trailheads –  39°45’12.40″N,  74°51’50.62″W

Directions – located at the end of the paved section of Burnt Mill Road [...]

Brendan Bryne Campground Brendan Bryne State Forest New Lisbon, Burlington County, NJ

Address: Highway Route 72 East, New Lisbon, NJ 08064 (Note that this the address for the forest, the campground is not located on Route 72, but is inside of the state forest near Pakim Pond) Coordinates:  39°52’23.10″N,  74°31’24.58″W

Directions: Turn into the park off of Route 72.  Turn right and pass the park office.  Stay on that road until it dead ends at a “T”.  Turn left and pass Pakim Pond.  The campground will soon be on both sides of the road.

Access: All paved park roads.

Website for official [...]

Batona Campground Wharton State Forest Tabernacle, Burlington County, NJ

Address: Carranza Road Tabernacle, NJ 08088 Coordinates:  39°46’52.11″N,  74°37’55.10″W

Directions: Coming from Route 206, turn onto Carranza Road.  Drive 7 1/2 or 8 miles down that road.  Along the way, you’ll pass through Indian Mills, pass farms, and have the road turn from new pavement to old pavement.  When you spot the Carranza Memorial on your right, then the campground entrance road will be on your left.  If the road turns completely to dirt, you just missed the turn.

Carranza Memorial on the right.

Access: Short [...]