Hike #112
The group on Sunrise Mountain
Hike 112
10/19/3
For my next hike, I wanted to do a new section hike that would showcase the beautiful
colors of the fall, and not have a swimming spot that might keep me from leading this hike
until Summer. I found exactly that in the new Upper Stokes hike I had scaled off, using
many trails I had not yet walked in the northern part of Stokes State Forest. Joining this
time were Tea Biscuit, Peeps, and Joe Millionaire.
Mashipatcong Shelter, AT
AT in Stokes south of Deckertown Tpk
AT on Sunrise Mountain
Sunrise Mountain Shelter
We began walking this loop at Deckertown Turnpike, on the Kittatinny Ridge north of
the town of Sussex (which used to be called Deckertown), and followed the AT
southbound, passing by the Mashipatcong Trail Shelter. It was raining steadily when we
started, so we briefly took shelter here.We continued on the AT over a rocky area with
Scrub Oaks and through thick woods. As always, we were having some interesting
conversations, and at the old crossing of a road, we were talking about “food, cursing, and
beating off” as I recall. Joe Millionaire appropriately commented on the randomness of the
conversation, and we had a good laugh.
Another one on Sunrise Mountain with the USGS marker
Below Sunrise Mountain, end of Swenson Trail
We continued on the ridge passing Cartwright Trail, and familiar ground to Sunrise
Mountain where we admired the view, which opened up in time for our arrival there. We
continued on to the weather shelter built by the CCC in the 1930s for another break.
Following the AT, we walked to Tinsley Trail, which led us downhill and across Sunrise
Mountain Road, becoming an old woods road. A new trail was located off of the Tinsley
Trail, called Tinsley Geological trail, but we opted not to follow it this time.
Flat Brook in Stokes
Along Howell Trail, Stokes
Howell Trail, Stokes
Howell Trail, Stokes
Along Parker Trail, Stokes
Interesting tree on Criss Trail, Stokes
East end of Rock Oak Trail, Stokes
Flat Brook from Deckertown Tpk
We continued on the Tinsley Trail to where Spring Cabin Trail, an old road, breaks off to
the right, which we followed to the cabin, then walked Swenson Trail quite a distance to
it’s end on the paved road which heads northwest from Sunrise Mountain. We used the
road out to Howell Trail, which at first led us along an abandoned road, then looped
around in lower land and across a series of puncheons and wet areas. We followed this
trail northwest to Parker Trail. We turned left on Parker Trail back out to the road, and
alongside the Flat Brook for a bit. The trail took us across the water on rocks, then up to
one of the park roads which we used to get to Criss Trail, taking us up a secondary ridge
passing some weirdly shaped trees. We continued on this trail slowly descending with a
small tributary appearing to our right. We soon made a right turn onto Deep Root Trail.
This trail once went into the woods and ended abruptly atop a ridge, but was extended to
join Criss Trail. This new end of the trail was incredibly steep, and we fought our way to
the top with an obscured view of the interior valley. The Deep Root Trail led us out to
another road, which we walked down a bit to Rock Oak Trail. Rock Oak Trail took us
over the smaller ridge, ending at Deckertown Turnpike near an open field area.
We were all pretty tired at this point. The plan was to hike Deckertown Tpk back to the
camaro, but Tea Biscuit and Joe Millionaire decided to hang behind while Peeps and I
darted off ahead to reach the parking area. I recall seeing a bear along this particular
stretch as well. After crossing the Flat Brook once again in a marsh area, it seemed like we
were going up and down rolling hills forever. Finally, we reached the parking area. Peeps
and I headed down the road looking for Tea Biscuit and Joe Millionaire, but they were
nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, a pickup truck which had been tailgating us speeds
by us fast, honking and swirving. Tea Biscuit and Joe Millionaire had hitch hiked and this
looney guy in a pickup took them in! Reportedly, he offered them beer and drove like a
maniac! I believe this road is the location of a prison in the woods, I might add! An
interesting end to yet another adventure.
Flat Brook meadow from Deckertown Tpk
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