Sunday Chester Area Hike!

NOTE: I work at for state parks, and if something comes up and I'm needed to work the date of this hike, I MIGHT have to reschedule, though it is unlikely. If anything changes I will update this promptly.

Join us for an awesome 16 mile hike in the Chester NJ area, mostly utilizing the Patriot's Path to connect Black River Recreation Area with Hacklebarney State Park. The route has one nice view, and mostly pleasant trails, scenic downtown Chester, abandoned railroad grades, abandoned telephone pole farm, the lovely Black River, abandoned former river swimming pools, iron mines, and more!
Hacklebarney State Park is located on State Park Road just south of Chester. From Rt 24/513, head south on Hacklebarny Road with the Black River to the left. Continue to turn right on State Park Road, and the entrance is on the left. Continue down the drive to the parking lot.
Some of the route we will be following is the FUTURE route of the Patriot's Path through the public park lands of Chester Township. It has not been marked yet, but the route has been chosen! These pastoral views are part of the new trail section through Chester. Currently, there is a short gap in the trail that this will fill! After passing through this area, hikers will have the opportunity to pick up more water and food or snack in scenic downtown Chester, also the route of Patriot's Path.From here, the trail makes it's way onto an abandoned railroad bed and descends to the Black River with more lovely scenery as we make our way parallel down stream and passing sites such as the old Cooper Grist Mill.The trail continues in part along former mine railroad routes, then as a foot path along the river, along what was once the estate of Elizabeth D. Kay. The tail becomes a narrower foot path and continues along the Black River. In addition to the main branch of the Patriot's Path, we'll take on the blue route, which is the Black River section, as well as the Conifer Pass Trail through lovely woods.We'll continue a bit further on Patriot's Path, then cut off along pleasant unpaved back roads to reach Hacklebarney State Park. We'll follow the old Orange Trail, no longer maintained, and visit some of the lesser known scenic spots within the park. There is only a short overgrown section, but not too bad here.
We then follow the formalized Hacklebarney Trails system back to the parking lot, following the riverside and the Main Trail.
This promises to be an extremely diverse and enjoyable hike with constantly changing scenery! If anyone has any questions or concerns, reach out to me here or at 908 343 8374. No public trans available to Chester.