We had a quite a 2017. Adorable new baby to hike with, fancy new website, and some media attention starting with a feature in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
He likes hiking too.
It was quite a year on the trails too. In 2017, we hiked about 780 miles, including hiking 31 new-to-us trails in South Jersey! So as we do each year, our 10 favorite trails that we hiked for the first time this year:
Port Republic Trail System – Trails West of English Creek-Port Republic Road – Port Republic, Atlantic County, NJ Distance – Not sure how many miles of trails on this side (5? 6?). We did 4 1/4 miles of hiking with a few bits of loop backs using the Bog Trail, Nuthatch Trail, Bog to English Creek Connector, Peninsula Trail, South Side, Bridge Bypass, and some of the old roads. Type – Web Difficulty: 3 of 10 – lots of trails, bit easy to get crossed up
Website – Port Republic Trail System (Facebook page, no website) Open – Sunrise to Sunset.
Terrain – pine forest, lakeside, swamp, and more Surface – dirt
Trailheads – [...]
Bear Swamp at Red Lion Preserve (Section B) – Southampton and Tabernacle, Burlington County, NJ Distance – a bit over 2 miles total between the two trails Type – A pair of out-and-back hikes that fork. Difficulty: 4 of 10 – trails can be tough to follow at times
Website – Bear Swamp at Red Lion Preserve Open – Sunrise to Sunset.
Terrain – Pine woods and cedar swamp Surface – Sand
Trailheads – South Trail (Tabernacle) – 39°52’12.72″N, 74°42’28.12″W North Trail (Southampton) – 39°52’34.72″N, 74°42’53.07″W
Allaire State Park Family Campground and Group Campsites Allaire State Park Wall Township, NJ
Type – Tent camping and cabins. Small camping trailers (no hookups)
Address: 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727 (address for the main entrance to the park) The family campground is nearby on Atlantic Ave. The Group Campground is several miles away on Squankum-Allenwood Road. Coordinates: Family campground – 40° 9’55.99″N, 74° 8’48.30″W Group Campground – 40° 8’2.06″N, 74° 7’20.11″W
Access: Paved road, easy for any reasonably sized vehicle.
Website for official [...]
