Hike #268 2/11/7
2/11/7
Allamuchy Mountain State Park loop with "Amish Paul" and Wyatt Hassler, Fred Hafale, "Major Tom" Conroy, Jack Lowry, Shelly Janes, Dave "Captain Soup" Campbell, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Sue Bickford-Martin, Jen Ruben, and Tony Bertuch
Scenic overlook off Rt 80
Waterloo Village
Crossing Morris Canal at Waterloo Village
Morris Canal at Waterloo Village
In Waterloo Village
Rt 80 underpass at Waterloo Village
80 underpass
80 underpass
80 underpass
80 underpass
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Morris Canal trail route under Rt 80 at Waterloo Village
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo
Under Rt 80 at Waterloo
Along former Morris Canal in Waterloo Valley
Historic marker
Along Waterloo South Trail I think
Heading up Allamuchy Mountain
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond, Allamuchy Mountain
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond
At Deer Park Pond, Allamuchy Mt.
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond
Path around Deer Park Pond, Allamuchy Mt.
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond
Along Deer Path Trail
Major Tom along Deer Path Trail
Along Deer Path Trail
Old building on Allamuchy Mountain
Abandoned garage on Allamuchy Mt.
Weird tree on Barberry Trail, Allamuchy SP
Ham sandwich
Along Barberry Trail
Maj. Tom along Deer Path Trail
Big rooted tree on Barberry Trail
Big rooted tree on Barberry Trail
Along Barberry Trail
Along Barberry Trail, Allamuchy Mt.
Deer Park Pond
Deer Park Pond
Del Water Gap from Allamuchy Mountain
Scenic Overlook on Allamuchy Mt, from Rt 80 access
Scenic Overlook
View from Allamuchy Mountain
Del Water Gap from Allamuchy Mountain
View of Allamuchy from an overlook off Rt 80
Scenic Overlook
Scenic Overlook
View of the Rt 80 exit at Allamuchy
Scenic Overlook
Del Water Gap view from Allamuchy Mountain
View from Allamuchy Mountain
View of the village of Allamuchy
View of the Allamuchy Exit on Rt 80
Scenic Overlook area
Scenic Overlook
Scenic Overlook
At the overlook
Scenic Overlook
Scenic Overlook
A square hole. It will take no round pegs.
Abandoned building near Allamuchy Pond
Abandoned building near ALlamuchy Pond
Near the Rutherford Esate
Abandoned building on Allamuchy Mt. State Park
Abandoned house
Machinery in the old house
In an old house
Abandoned house, near Allamuchy Pond
Old garage
Abandoned house
garage
Allamuchy Pond
Spillway at ALlamuchy Pond
Allamuchy Pond
At Allamuchy Pond
This would later become the route of Allamuchy Pond Trail
Rutherford Mansion
Rutherford Mansion
Rutherford Mansion
I think some sort of Larch tree at Rutherford Hall
Allamuchy Exit
Allamuchy NJ
Downtown Allamuchy
Lunch break in Allamuchy
My next hike would take us on a big loop within Allamuchy Mountain State Park and more of it's recently blazed trails in both the east and west sections. I planned a new loop using both the east and west sections of the park, which previously could not be connected for a loop hike so easily. We met at the grassy pull off parking area I often meet my groups at near the entrance to Waterloo Village (it serves as overflow parking in season). Joining me this time were past participants Fred Hafale, Shelly Janes, "Amish Paul" Hassler, Wyatt Hassler, "Major Tom" Conroy, Jim "Mr. Buckett" Mathews, Dave "Captain Soup" Campbell, Sue Bickford-Martin, Jack Lowry, and newcomers Jennifer Ruben and Tony Bertuch. We began walking toward Waterloo, where we soon reached the Morris Canal. We walked across the canal, which was frozen solid, and followed the towpath west. At first, it was very clear and looked like it did back in it's hayday, but it soon entered a heavy woods as we neared Route 80. We stayed on the towpath side, and the canal disappeared at the superhighway's fill. We made our way under the bridge for the Musconetcong River, which had more than enough space for us to walk under. When we got there and I heard the echoing acoustics under the bridge, I began singing the Platters song "Only You". Continueing along, we made our way (through some bad weeds) to the next section of the canal, still with water in it and in good shape. We continued past Starport and out to Waterloo Road. Here, the towpath trail joined the Highlands Trail. We had to walk the road where the canal was obliterated by it, and re entered the woods after a short distance. We continued, passing some sort of old canal spillway, then ended up on Kinny Road. We turned right back out to Waterloo Road, then made a quick jog over to the new Waterloo North Trail up Allamuchy Mountain. The trail began following an old road, then became a footpath up to the Deer Path Trail. We continued on, turned left on the Deer Park Trail out to the shore of Deer Park Pond. Sue decided to turn back, as she had another hike to do later on. The rest of us took a break at the pond and a few of us decided to walk on the ice a bit. We soon got back on the Deer Path Trail, which led us out to the dirt access road to the park where we turned left. We followed the road a bit and checked out an old garage along the way. We soon turned right, or north, on Birch Trail, which followed an old woods road. Captain Soup climbed up onto a big glacial erratic along the way. We continued until we again reached another part of the Deer Path Trail, and continued to the Barberry Trail. We turned right and headed out to the north side of Deer Park Pond and checked out the weirdly shaped tree along the way. I tried walking out on the lake a bit, but I head the ice cracking, so I turned back. Next, we took the Lakeview Trail away from the lake to another part of the Deer Path Trail and turned to the north, continueing to another trail intersection to the right. This trail was not on the map, and I did not know where it went. Fortunitely, there was a couple cycling on the Deer Path Trail who told us it led down to the scenic overlook off Rt 80. This was exactly where we needed to go, so we followed the trail down to the road to the overlook where we took a break and snapped some pictures of the wonderful view over Allamuchy. We made our way to the west side of the parking area and followed a trail along the ridge that was blazed with duct tape and some sort of packing tape wrapped around trees. At first, the trail was rather clear and easy to see, then it petered out and we were bushwhacking down hill toward the Allamuchy exit which we could see clearly from the overlook. It was completely obscured from view by this time. I waited for Mr Buckett and Major Tom to catch up, as they had fallen behind, but Fred and some of the group had gone ahead. I led my part of the group down hill and across a little creek, then to an old woods road along the stream to the north. Fred and the others appeared just ahead of us on the road, and we soon found an abandoned stone house along the creek, as well as a garage. We went inside, and found that the rear of the building was collapsing, while the rest was in reasonable enough shape. We continued from here to the outlet of Allamuchy Pond within sight. The pond was very beautiful, and there was a little bridge over the outlet. Everyone regrouped here before we followed the old road up hill passing the old Rutherford Mansion, most recently the Villa Madonna, which I think was for retired nuns. It was currently in transition to becoming part of the local school system. The adjacent property was to become part of Allamuchy Mountain State Park. We made our way out to Rt 517 and turned left crossing Rt 80 on the overpass. We could see the overlook point we were at just earlier. We turned left into the little village of Allamuchy, first stopping into a liquor store so everyone could get some drinks. We then continued across the street to a little pizza place for a lunch break.
Pizza place in Allamuchy
Lunch break in Allamuchy
Hamburger steak
A pebble
Fred!!
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Parking lot
Highlands Trail exit
Allamuchy exit
Shoe and box tree?
Old road in Allamuchy
Along the old road
Old road in Allamuchy
View of 517 from old Stuyvesant Road
Old Stuyvesant Road, Allamuchy
Old estate entrance off Stuyvesant Road
Ruins on Allamuchy Mountain
Waterloo-517 Trail
Ruins on Allamuchy Mountain
Along Waterloo-517 Trail
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Allamuchy Mountain view
Fred decided to continue on, because he did'nt want to be back after dark. The rest of us took our hour lunch break. We had a good time, and Major Tom gave me a slice of pizza. Mr. Buckett got a bottle of wine for cheap and had some of that. After eating, we continued on up the road to the next trail section, Switchback Trail, formerly part of the original route of Rt 517. We walked along the old road out to the beginning of the Waterloo-Rt 517 Trail, leading us up the east side of Allamuchy Mountain. We followed this recently blazed trail along old woods roads (and alongside old woods roads) through woods and reached the junction with the Waving Willie Trail (I had walked most of these trails before, long before they were blazed). From here, we made our way to the Pebble Trail, coaligned with the Waterloo-517 Trail, and turned left. Major Tom was falling behind a bit, but then after having just a few sips of water, he got his second wind and darted ahead of the group at an amazing pace. We continued on this trail until we reached the Highlands Trail, and turned right. We followed the HT out to the overlook over Waterloo Valley.
We took a long break here and admired the scenery as the sun was setting directly to the west, leaving a lovely hue over the valley. I pointed out what everything was that was in sight before we continued on. We descended quickly and easily back to the parking area at about 5:45 pm, before it was very dark.
On Allamuchy Mountain
Here's a link to all pictures from this hike followed by their descriptions...
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj93/sneezehorse1/hike268%202-11-7/
On Allamuchy Mountain
1.) Sliding down the embankment to the entrance road to Waterloo Village (SJ)2.) Amish Paul crossing the frozen Morris Canal at Waterloo Village (FH)3.) The Morris Canal looking toward Waterloo Village4.) Along the towpath near Waterloo Village (FH)5.) Nearing the rt 80 underpass for the Musconetcong River (SJ)6.) Under the Rt 80 bridge, I'm singing "Only You" (FH)7.) The group under the bridge (FH)8.) Still under the bridge (SJ)9.) Walking under Rt 80 (FH)10.) Under the bridge (SJ)11.) More under the bridge (SJ)12.) The group under the bridge (SJ)13.) Looking under the Rt 80 bridge (SJ)14-15.) The group under the bridge16.) The Musconetcong River under Rt 8017.) Sue under the bridge18.) More under the bridge19.) Historical marker at Starport (SJ)20.) I think this is the towpath...not sure though (SJ)21.) The group ascending the Waterloo North Trail (FH)22.) Just reaching Deer Path Trail (SJ)23.) Nearing Deer Park Pond (FH)24.) The group at the pond (SJ)25.) I think that's me at the pond (FH)26.) Deer Park Pond (FH)27.) Along the shore of the lake (SJ)28.) Deer Park Pond29.) Major Tom on Deer Park Pond30.) Jack at Deer Park Pond31.) Main dam at the pond (FH)32.) The group at the pond (FH)33.) More of the group at the pond (SJ)34.) Major Tom on a rock along the way (SJ)35.) More on the rock36.) Along Deer Path Trail (SJ)37.) An old garage along Deer Park Road (FH)38.) Front view of the old garage39.) The group at the weird shaped tree on Barberry Trail (FH)40.) Major Tom on Barberry Trail (FH)41.) More with the weird tree (SJ)42.) Major Tom on the rock (SJ)43.) More of the weird tree (SJ)44.) Still goofing off at the weird tree (SJ)45.) At the weird tree...(SJ)46.) Chatting on the Barberry Trail (SJ)47.) Deer Park Pond from Barberry Trail48.) Another view of the pond49.) View from the scenic overlook along Rt 80, Del Water Gap in view50.) The group making their way along the overlook in Allamuchy51.) At the overlook (FH)52-53.) Another view of the overlook (FH)54.) Another view, whoop dee doo! (FH)55.) Me walking to the overlook (FH)56.) More of me headed to the overlook (SJ)57.) View toward Allamuchy exit (SJ)58.) Another view toward the water gap (SJ)59.) View of Allamuchy60.) View north toward the Kittatinny Ridge, toward Millbrook gap area61.) Allamuchy from the overlook62.) View of the bend in Rt 80 in Allamuchy63.) Jack and Shelly at the overlook64-65.) The group admiring the view (SJ)66.) Jack at the viewpoint (SJ)67.) Chatting at the viewpoint (SJ)68.) The group leaving the overlook to reenter the woods69.) Some sort of pit back in the woods...(SJ)70.) The old house we found back in the woods (SJ)71.) Another view of the old house72.) Fred walking toward the garage of the old house73.) A view inside the old house74.) Amish Paul in the old house75.) Some old piece of equipment in the old house76.) An old plugger in the old house (SJ)77.) The outside of the old house78.) The old garage (SJ)79.) The old house from further back (SJ)80.) Another view of the garage (SJ)81.) The Allamuchy Pond at the outlet (FH)82.) The outlet of the pond (FH)83.) Another view of the pond84.) Walking along the old road near the pond (FH)85.) Ready to move on, Amish Paul laying on the ground (SJ)86.) The old Rutherford Mansion (FH)87.) Another one of the Rutherford Mansion (SJ)88.) My shot of the Rutherford Mansion89.) I think this is a Tamarack Tree at Rutherford Mansion (SJ)90.) View of Rt 80 from Rt 517 (SJ)91.) Walking along 517 toward Allamuchy92.) Downtown Allamuchy93.) Mr. Buckett and Major Tom at the pizza place in Allamuchy94-95.) More lunch break shots96-105.) Fred's shots he took on his trip without us over Allamuchy Mountain's east side, including ice, glacial erratics, and some great views from the Highlands Trail's overlook of the Waterloo Valley, the international trade center, and beyond (FH)106.) Along the road in Allamuchy (SJ)107.) Shoes in a tree? (SJ)108.) Old road, now part of Switchback Trail109.) Along Switchback Trail110.) Captain Soup along the old road/switchback trail111.) View over farmland to the south of the former road, now a new trail112.) Still along the old road113.) Some sort of an entrance to an old estate114.) Old stonework along the old road115.) Along Waterloo-517 Trail116.) An old foundation along Waterloo-517 Trail on the way up hill117.) The group on a rock outcropping along the Waterloo-517 Trail (SJ)118.) At the scenic overlook along the Highlands Trail (SJ)119.) View toward the west from the overlook (SJ)120.) View toward Mt Olive (SJ)121.) Shelly on the rock at the vista (SJ)122.) The sun setting as seen from the overlook (SJ)123.) Me at the overlook (SJ)124.) Me pointing out different things we see from the viewpoint (SJ)125.) View of the Musconetcong and the International Trade Center from teh viewpoint126.) International Trade Center in view127.) View of a quarry lake near Waterloo Village128.) The sun setting over Allamuchy Mountain129.) Captain Soup and Jack Lowry at the viewpoint130.) Me on the overlook rock on the Highlands Trail131.) The group about ready to leave the viewpoint for final descent132.) The group at the viewpoint (SJ)
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