Hike #8 6/15/98
Beginning the hike at Crestmoore Crossing, Rt 513
6/15/98
I figured it was once again time to lead the hike from Crestmoore, having just happily
graduated High School a couple days earlier. This time, again despite many showing
enthusiasm, only two showed up, Aaron once again, and Sandra Boehm, a friend I had
met when she was dating my friend, Jason Korski.
We once again had my grandfather drop us off at Crestmoore and we were on our way. I
was immediately surprised that Sandy kept such a strong pace.
As before, we stopped at Rambo’s in Califon, and continued into Ken Lockwood Gorge.
Taking a dip in Ken Lockwood Gorge under the trestle
Under Ken Lockwood Gorge Trestle
Crossing the South Branch of the Raritan under the Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
Under Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
This time, we decided to head down to the river and go for a dip, which was terrific.
While in the water however, a Rottweiller had walked up on the shore, waiting for us to
come out. We waited nervously in the water until I finally decided to move downstream
and get out. Aaron was adamant about staying in the water until it was gone.
To our surprise, it was as friendly as could be, and Aaron and Sandy both came out. The
dog had a tag on it which read “Sampson” or “Samson”. I can’t remember the spelling.
The dog followed us back up to the trestle, but would not cross on the ties. Aaron, in a
180 degree turn around, was now adamant about not leaving without the dog. He tried for
a while to nudge him across the bridge to no avail, so we moved on. I crawled into the
space between the ties and underpart of the trestle for a bit.
Me between the ties of Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
Ken Lockwood Gorge Trestle before the redecking
Aaron trying to get the dog to cross the bridge
On the Readingsburg Bridge, Columbia Trail
Next, we decided once again to visit the Lake Solitude Dam, this time stopping for a
swim, and jumping off the mid part of the dam. After spending over an hour here we
moved on.
Lake Solitude Dam, High Bridge
Lake Solitude Dam
Lake Solitude Dam
Lake Solitude Dam
Sandy's in front, I'm on the dam. Brings me back...so long ago.
Lake Solitude Dam
When we reached High Bridge, we reported the dog’s whereabouts and stopped for at a
little luncheonette place at the end of the main street before moving on.
Heading north on the CNJ main line, I was having trouble with my camera, as it was
rewinding my film before the end of the roll. I realized I unfortunitely would have to find a
new camera.
I think this is the Buffalo Hollow Road bridge
After reaching Hampton and following the weedy Lackawanna main line for a bit, we
moved on down to the Musconetcong River Road in New hampton. We opted to keep off
of the right of way, and stopped in to visit the old schoolhouse in New Hampton, now a
museum. When we reached New Hampton Road, formerly the Spruce Run Turnpike, we
turned north to cover some different ground, continueing to Asbury-Anderson Road, to
Springtown Road, all part of the former Spruce Run Turnpike which went from Oxford
Furnace to Clinton’s Mills. Aaron lived in one of the new houses on Springtown Road.
After stopping for a drink there, we moved on, turning right onto the Springtown Road
Nature Trail, which at the time we did not know where it went. This trail was built as a
scout project years earlier by Todd Nagy of Washington.
As we made our way through the woods, the plastic blazes on the trees became spuratic
and we could’nt find our way (I later found out somebody moved the blazes because they
did not want anyone hiking in there.). We ended up in a field, which we decided to cross
to make our way toward town. We ended up lost between a couple fields, and famers
were plowing, so we hid a couple times in the weeds for them to pass by. We soon
decided to turn back to Aaron’s house, making our way back to the trail, which we again
lost. We made our way through thick weeds to Springtown Road just north of Aaron’s
house.
Here's where you can see pictures from this hike!
Sandy's in front, I'm on the dam. Brings me back...so long ago.
Taking a dip in Ken Lockwood Gorge under the trestle
Under Ken Lockwood Gorge Trestle
Under Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
Me between the ties of Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
Ken Lockwood Gorge Trestle before the redecking
Aaron trying to get the dog to cross the bridge
Crossing the South Branch of the Raritan under the Ken Lockwood Gorge trestle
On the Readingsburg Bridge, Columbia Trail
Lake Solitude Dam, High Bridge
Lake Solitude Dam
Lake Solitude Dam
Lake Solitude Dam
Lake Solitude Dam
I think this is the Buffalo Hollow Road bridge
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