Hike #104
The group sitting on the bridge over Paulins Kill Lake which was at the time drained during construction of the new dam.
Hike 104
8/17/3
Yet another new hike, this time my plan was to walk a loop around Swartzwood State
Park, near Newton NJ, and finish at Warbasse Junction between the NYS&W and Sussex
Branch DL&W railroads. Joining this time were Cathy, Tea Biscuit, Amit and Ash, and
newcomer Evan Van Rossum. We began calling Evan “Joe Millionaire” because man on a
recent Reality TV show called “Joe Millionaire” (where an average joe would lead women
on to believe he was a millionaire) was named Evan Marriot. Every time I head the name
Evan I thought of “Joe Millionaire” so that became his name.We left Cathy’s Honda Civic
in Warbasse, and took the Camaro to beginning.
Paulins Kill Lake Wildlife Management Area
Paulins Kill Lake Wildlife Management Area
Trail in Swartzwood State Park
Swartzwood
We bagan at Swartzwood Junction, near the railroad right of way. We walked along
Swartzwood Road across the abnormally dry Paulins Kill Lake. This was probably the
time the dam at the south side of the lake was being replaced. We continued on north to E
Shore Drive, and cut into the woods to one of the trails in Swartzwood State Park. The
trail led us around to a pond, then out to Westbrook Road. We turned onto Westbrook
Road to the next trail section alongside a marshy pond. The next trail, leading to Shore
Drive and the park office, was a multi use paved trail, I believe. After only a short distance
on this road, Amit and Ash decided to turn back to their cars. We continued on to the
park office, and took a swim at the beach. After a good swim we took yet another shower.
This was terrific, taking showers on two hikes in a row!
Swartzwood
Approaching Paulins Kill Valley Trail
Ruins along Paulins Kill Valley Trail at Swartzwood Junction
Paulins Kill Valley Trail north of Swartzwood Junction
Paulins Kill Valley Trail north of Swartzwood Junction
After leaving the beach, we made our way along the shore looking for the easiest way to
hike the perimeter. We passed the canoe rental area, and found some nice trails at
lakeside. Somehow, we got sort of lost, and could’nt walk any further on the shore line.
We made our way out to one of the campgrounds and opted to head back to the railroad
grade. The clouds grew darker as we got back to the Camaro.
Cathy was not willing to go on, as we began to hear some thunder. I gave her the keys to
the Camaro, and she could head back to Warbasse and swap out my car for hers, and hide
my keys. It was a good thing she cut out, as it began raining heavily while we walked
along the NYS&W/Paulins Kill Valley Trail.
We passed some ruins where the junction was with the Lehigh and New England
Railroad, and continued northeast through a deep near Washingtonville. We passed a cute
little pony along the way, which Tea Biscuit tried to pet, but every time he put his hand
out the pony tried to bite his hand! He kept trying, but this pony had an evil streak, and
continued trying to bite his hand.
When Warbasse was in sight, Tea Biscuit ran far ahead of us to reach the Camaro first.
Joe Millionaire and I took our time.
Me at Warbasse
The most evil pony in the world trying to bite Tea Biscuit
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