Hike #153; Round Valley to High Bridge

 Hike #153

Hike 153

Along the shore of Round Valley Resevoir

11/7/4

 

For my next hike, I posted the Round Valley hike, as I had previously, ending in High

Bridge after beginning at the boat launch at Round Valley Recreation Area. Joining me this

time were Cathy, Ellen Paquale, Felisa Kulba, and Phil Wingert.

We met first thing in the morning at the commuter lot in High Bridge, then shuttled to the

boat launch where we walked the levee across to the trails system.

Pine Tree Trail, Round Valley Recreation Area

Pine Tree Trail, Round Valley Recreation Area

Round Valley Reservoir from the Cushetunk Trail

Side trail with runners on it at Round Valley

View from Cushetunk Mountain, Round Valley

Near the dam at Round Valley

Near main dam at Round Valley

View from Cushetunk Mountain

View from Cushetunk Mountain

We walked along the shore line more closely this time than we had previously, which was

quite a bit more scenic than the Pine Tree Trail and Family Hiking and biking Trail we had

used previously.

I believe we stopped in the park office just after getting on the Cushetunk Trail, then

headed out again. When we started heading down to along the shore line, we were quickly

sorrounded by runners! These runners passed us and began running up a steep hillside trail,

then back down returning the way they came. We stopped and gawked for a few moments

before heading off.

This weird gate is along the Lower Cushetunk Trail at Round Valley Rec. Area. I have no idea what an iron gate like this would be doing out there...

View from Cushetunk Mountain

Round Valley Reservoir from the east side picnic area

Round Valley from Cushetunk Trail

View from the railroad tracks at Cushetunk

Former CNJ railroad approaching High Bridge

By the time we reached the access road crossing on the Cushetunk Trail, we were soon

almost ran off the trail by a race of bicycles! The runners were part of a biatholon, first

part running, the second part biking. We had a rough time trying to stay clear of the bikers.

After not long, Cathy was also getting tired of the constant ups and downs on the Cushetunk

Trail. A cyclist also took a spill pretty bad in right near her.

The views were starting to open over the resevoir as the leaves were falling. The cyclists

headed out on the Upper Cushetunk Trail on the route we followed, and returned via the

lower trail near the campsites. We saw the end of them at one of the trail junctions. We

continued along the shore line before finally making the ascend over Cushetunk Mountain

into the Hunterdon County Park section. We then began following the railroad out to

Lebanon and beyond. Cathy felt she could not go on when we reached the underpass of

Resevoir Access Road, and she and Phil headed up to the road. I waited behind to be sure

they made it to the road alright. They took quite a while to force through the heavy weeds.

By the time I took off running to catch up with Ellen and Felisa, they were well out of sight.

Still, I caught up with them and we walked on through Annandale toward High Bridge.

Just before reaching High Bridge, Ellen took a bad fall onto the railroad ties, but got up

just fine. I thought for sure she would have hurt something, but she was surprisingly alright.

We continued to the High Bridge station where we found Cathy and Phil waiting for us.