Hike #121
Hike 121
On the streets of Somerville
1/25/4
For my next hike, I had planned to do the next section of the Central Railroad of NJ from
where we had left off near Round Valley Resevoir and areas east. I proposed we hike the
tracks from Somerville after wandering around the large Bridgewater Mall.
Goofing off in Bridgewater Mall parking lot
Bridgewater Mall
Bridgewater Mall
Bridgewater Mall
Bridgewater Mall goofing off
Covered bridge at Bridgewater Mall
Helipad in Bridgewater
Somerset County Courthouse, Somerville
Somerville station
Somerville station
Beneath Somerville station
Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage site, Somerville
Joining this time were Tea Biscuit, and Christian Jones, a friend I had gone to High
School with, but came to be friends with through Wally Mart. Chris shares a similar
respect for absurd humor which helped us to get along very well. I had been trying to get
Chris to join a hike for some time to no avail. It was too bad that this ended up being one
of the most boring hikes I had ever led, but we had fun anyway!
We left Chris’s car in the town of Lebanon, at the Church we had visited on hike #116.
We then headed to Somerville and parked at the Bridgewater Mall. Unfortunitely, the
mall appeared to be closed at all entrances, so we decided to wander around the building
through the parking lot until we could find a way in. We wandered around outside, and
put Chris in a shopping cart, pushing him around and making asses of ourselves. It was
brutally cold with wind. Soon, we found a way inside, and found that most of the stores
were all closed. The mall has three stories, and we walked a lap around each, passing by
“Mall Hikers” who meet for exercise walks before the stores all open. We sat for a bit in a
Starbucks Coffee shop (my first time in one) and watched young ladies come and go for a
bit before deciding to move on. We also goofed off on the escelators, predictably going
down and up the wrong directions. I also recall the mall security looking like Canadian
Mounties.
Leaving the mall, we made our way along a sidewalk and through a cute covered bridge
to another area of buildings. I seem to recall going into a hotel to goof off a bit, but
leaving quickly. We soon spotted a parking garage and decided to run to the top to see the
view. I think Tea Biscuit might have taken the elevator, but I don’t remember. After the
last vehicle level, the stairs continued up, so we followed them onto a helipad! We were
treated to nice views of the sorrounding area, as well as the thrill of being on a helipad,
which was certainly not permitted legally.
We went into another few stores, I think one of them must have been a Dunkin Donuts or
something, to ask for directions into Somerville. We somehow figured it out, and we had
to dash across Rt 22 heading south.
We reached downtown Somerville and walked up and down the beautiful downtown
streats a few times, and tried to visit a bar, but it was closed. We were informed they
would be opening soon, but too late for us to wait. I think we may have gone into other
stores as well, but maybe Tea Biscuit or Chris would remember better. I do recall seeing
the famous Somerset County Courthouse. The fact that I took a picture of it might have
something to do with it as well.
Along the former Central Railroad of NJ near Raritan.
Raritan Station
Former CNJ Rail yard, Raritan
Former CNJ railroad in Raritan area
Former CNJ trestle over the North Branch of the Raritan
Former CNJ trestle over the North Branch of the Raritan
Whitehouse station
On the former CNJ tracks approaching Cushetunk Mountain
Former CNJ tracks at Cushetunk
Finishing out hike at Lebanon
As we made our way up to the tracks, there was a beautiful old station building, and we
passed under a tunnel for pedestrians beneath the tracks. Tea Biscuit walked on his hands
a bit. A train had just left when we arrived. After goofing off for a bit here we began
heading east. There were a few revolutionary war era buildings which are state owned and
open for tours, but we did’nt go down.
The former Central Railroad of NJ continued west on a fill for some time. We climbed
down from the right of way briefly to try to find some beer or wine, but the stores were all
closed.
We continued on passing Rariton Station. I was looking for the site of a junction with a
southwest bound track that had been abandoned, but saw nothing of it. The fill came to be
level and we passed through a large railroad yard. No one bothered us for walking through
here, and the snow which was covering the ground was packed well enough on the tracks
that it did not bother our feet so much.
Leaving the rail yard, the tracks led us into a wide cut, only single tracked but obvioulsy
double in the past. We contined westbound, crossing the North Branch of the Rariton
River on a five arch stone bridge which was nice. We soon passed the North Branch
station, and followed a long, boring straight-away that seemed to never end.
I was looking to the right for the remains of the junction with the Rockaway Valley
Railroad which was abandoned in 1917. I saw what I thought to be it, but would find out
some time later the track actually broke off to the north at the Whitehouse Station.
When we reached the station, now a library, we stopped at an old bar for a drink and
some food. I recall only having a beer, while I think Tea Biscuit had a burger or
something. I think he said it was good too.
After our break, we continued east with the Cushetunk Mountan coming into view, a
welcome scene compared to the flat terrain we were looking at earlier. It began getting
dark when we passed by the Cushetunk Mountan Preserve parking area and Old Mountain
Road. By the time we reached Lebanon and walked the road back to Chris’s car, it was
pitch black out. We were very tired and glad to be done.
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