Hike #517 10/9/10
10/9/10 Bedminster to Bridgewater with Jillane Becker, Jamie Becker, Jason Kumpas, Haobo Lai, Amanda Rosenblatt, "Action Adam" Stevens, Eric Pace, Jack Lowry, and Susan Duncan
A group shot along the Middle Brook near the end
For my next hike, I decided to once again do the Middlebrook Hike I had done with Matt Davis and Shelly Janes the previous Winter, only this time a slightly different variation on it using a few different trails.
Starting in Bedminster, we would pick up the Bedminster Township Trails again like we did on the past hike. Jillane's sister Jamie joined us for her first hike this time. We parked at a small parking lot at the beginning of the trail and then headed around the outside of the school and into the woods.
Along Bedminster Twp. Trails
The trail continued through the woods and came out at some ball fields, then reentered the woods again.
Bedminster Hike and Bike Trail near Miller Lane fields
Bedminster Hike and Bike Trail
The trail took us out next to "The Pond" and then continued south.
The Pond, Bedminster
The Pond, along Bedminster Hike and Bike Trail
Pedestrain bridge over an on ramp, Bedminster Hike and Bike Trail
The trail took us over a foot bridge, an access road to the highway (Rt 206 and 202 at this point I think). We soon came to a fork in the trail where the previous time I was here we went straight. This time, we would turn right under Rt 202 and 206 at a pedestrian access leading to River Road Park. The trail took us to the left here in the park and ended. The map of the trail system said that it was proposed to be extended south to Burnt Mills Park paralleling Rt 287 on it's west side. I figured we'd try to hike the proposed route.
Unmarked paths south of River Road, Bedminster Twp NJ
When we reached River Road, there was an unmarked path that went across at the access road to River Road Park. Althought the map showed the trail turning right on the road for a bit and then going left, there didn't appear to be anything so we simply crossed onto the foot path. This led us out to the river and we had to turn right paralleling it to find a good place to cross. I couldn't see where they'd bridge a trail, so we just looked for the best spot and crossed.
Crossing the river below River Road Park
Crossing the river, Bedminster Twp NJ
After crossing, Haobo was nowhere to be found; he crossed a bit further down stream, so we waited for him to catch back up before moving on. We continued through some light undergrowth heading south.
Heading south through the woods of Bedminster off trail, parallel with Rt 287
We meandered through the woods following the path of least resistance. At one point we came across a small tributary where we had to find a good spot to cross. From there we continued, getting closer to Rt 287 all the time. This ended up working out for us because we had to cross a drainage which would have otherwise been tougher.
Heading along what might be the future hike and bike path route
An old orchard or something in Bedminster Twp.
We came across a sort of field next. I used my phone GPS to lead us along the easiest looking old access roads to the place. We turned right skirting the north side of it, then left heading slightly up hill through some trees.
Heading through some sort of old orchard, Bedminster
Just north of Burnt Mills Park, Bedminster
The woods road soon entered a bit of woods and continued out to what appeared to be someone's back yard. I summoned everyone to turn right off of the pathway and toward open fields we could see ahead. This was part of Burnt Mills Park where the trail will eventually lead. We came across a mail box in a tree near the edge of the park.
A mail box in a tree near Burnt Mills Park, Bedminster NJ
We crossed the park's fields heading directly south to Burnt Mills Road, and then turned left. We crossed over Rt 287 along the road and then made a pit stop at a Burger King on the left...
This is a Burger King??? In Bedminster it is!
But this one certainly didn't look at all like a Burger King. It was just an old converted house. I suppose there must have been an ordinance or something in the township that forced them to not advertise much.
We continued from here to a grocery store on the corner at Rt 206 for a break. We met up with Amanda here, and then went inside for some food.
Grocery store stop in Bedminster
Jason Kumpas looked pretty normal dressed in his urban attire; I had suggested we do an urban ghetto theme for the hike, but no one really got with it except Jason, and Susie later on (I wore my Wu Wear that somehow survived the fire, but it wasn't noticeable). What we did get from this is that Kumpas decided to wear the sunglasses he wore on this hike from this time forward.
Pimp Daddy Jason Kumpas chillin at da store yo
Multi use path in Bedminster
When I got everybody together to go, they all headed to the east of the store and onto a multi use path, which wasn't the way, but I didn't know that it existed. I'd have to remember this if I did another similar hike in the future.
We checked out an abandoned building across from the south end of the bike path on Washington Valley Road, and then turned south on Rt 202/206 to pass beneath Rt 78.
On the other side, we turned left after a creek crossing like we did my previous visit, but the abandoned building that had been standing here had been torn down sadly. We continued back the path from behind where the structure was and came to the old dam ruins.
Ruins of an old dam in Bedminster Township
From here, we turned to the right side of the former lake and followed instead of taking our previous route up the hill and then back down. This route was much more interesting than the other anyway, except we didn't see the concrete block foundation up there.
We continued along the former lake following a reasonably good unmarked pathway.
Jillane got pretty badly stuck in the mud and nearly lost a shoe...but she was able to pull it out!
Jillane chose to walk in the former lake bed instead of the somewhat uneven hillside and ended up getting stuck in a quicksand type of mud. I ran back to help her, and I think Jason and I pulled her out. Her shoe had gotten completely buried in the muck of the former pond, but she was able to reach her arm down in there and pull it out! She had to walk bare foot for a bit until we could get to the creek inlet ahead. I helped her along the trail.
The dry former lake in Bedminster Twp.
We fell a bit behind, but found the group waiting at a giant rock along the pathway. From here, we descended off the path toward the creek. Jillane was having a hard time walking in her sandals because the mud that had gotten on them was too slippery to keep her feet in them.
The group waiting for Jillane and I to catch up.
Typical Watchung topography along the stream in Bedminster. Some sort of old concrete structure here as well.
There was a beautiful place ahead along the creek's edge. It cascaded down slightly toward the former pond, and there was what might have at one time been a pumping station or something. Not really sure. We took a nice break on the awesome rocks. Jillane used the opportunity to clean off her sandals so she could get traction again.
Along a creek in Bedminster
Jillane along a creek just below Sunset Lake, Bedminster
We continued from here following upstream, and came to sort of an old woods road or something that crossed it. We then were able to follow that just a bit further to the main dam of Sunset Lake. I walked over to the bridge over the dam used for vehicles and climbed up while most of the others went around. The lake was beautiful, and this time we turned left and followed the north shore of the lake while the previous time we went to the south.
Sunset Lake
The north shore had maybe more to offer, because we were able to walk in the grass a bit closer to the lake. There were utility pole cut offs set in the ground to keep people from parking off on the grass along a lot of the road as we headed around the lake on North Shore Drive.
North Shore Drive, Sunset Lake
North Shore Drive crossed over the tributary to the lake and then intersected with South Shore Drive where we turned left. This led to a sharp bend in the road where we entered the woods in the Gene G. King Park trail system. This led us along the creek for a bit to a park access site.
Structure along the trail, Gene G. King Park
Along the way we came across a weird little building, someone's play fort off of their back yard. We were supposed to keep following the tributary for a bit, but then turn away slightly to the left and end up at the end of Papen Road like I had done the last time, but somehow this time we missed it. We continued walking through the now dry creek bed.
We kept going in this, and occasionally there was standing water to navigate around, until we reached Rogers Road where there was a concrete underpass.
Walking the dry stream bed at Gene G. King Park
We all walked through the concrete culvert and then climbed up onto Rogers Road. A short walk to the left on Rogers Road took us to where we belonged on Papen Road.
Creek underpass beneath Rogers Road
Creek underpass beneath Rogers Road
Beginning of the Middle Brook Trail
We followed Papen Road out across Brown Road and beyond. The previous time we were here we turned left on Well Road, then other roads out and around to connect to the Middle Brook Trail from Argonne Farm Drive. I found out it was easier to come in from Wishnow Way on the south side from Papen Road which worked out perfectly.
Turtles in Chen's Pond
The trail came together with the trail from the other road and then began following the beginning of the Middle Brook down stream. The brook starts at little vernal pools and ponds, I guess the first one is called Chen's Pond near the end of the greenway. Another is called Peeper's Pond I think.
"You gotta drink yer Joose if you wanna grow up big and strong" -Jack Lowry
We began following the Middle Brook Trail down stream. The stream itself was just a tiny thing, often not even noticeable at this point of the trail, but it grew fast. The trail took us across Mt Vernon Road and continued southeast.
On one of the terrific bridges along Middle Brook Trail
Middle Brook Trail
Middle Brook Trail
Middle Brook Trail
Middle Brook Trail
Middle Brook Trail bridge
The Middle Brook
Along Middle Brook Trail
This trail is amazing looking at all of the work that was put into it. I had written a large article on this impressive trail for Black River Journal after walking it before. I knew this needed to be promoted. Using mostly scout volunteers projects, boardwalks and bridges were constructed all along this entire trail. All were significant structures.
Middle Brook Trail
Huh? What are the "other" natural flavors?
Middle Brook Trail
The trail led us out to Crim Road and it's namesake elementary school. We took a break here and waited for Action Adam to join us.
From here we took the trail out across the street to the park and fields, then back into the woods along the creek.
Action Tree Adam
Me climbing a tree
Me sliding down a tree
The trail led us from here across old Tullo Road, then into Washington Valley Park. We continued through the park and soon reached Newman's Lane. Eric Pace joined us here, having parked on Newman's Lane, he tried to backtrack to catch up with us but took the wrong trail fork and had to come back to meet us. It didn't take him too long.
Wetlands in Washington Valley Park along the Middle Brook; Newman's Lane and Middle Brook Trail
We turned left on Newman's Lane across the Middle Brook and marsh land, then turned right onto the path on the north side of Washington Valley Reservoir with great views all around. We continued on Middle Brook Trail along the shore.
Middle Brook Trail view of Washington Valley Reservoir
Washington Valley Reservoir from Middle Brook Trail
Washington Valley Reservoir
We came to a fork in the trail soon, and the Middle Brook Trail went left. I'd done that section before, so we went right heading out to Chimney Rock Road. Here, we were joined by Jack and Susie, and Susie had some great ghetto attire (she said she'd bring her ghetto clothes but leave the attitude lol). We crossed the road and headed down hill slightly to the next trail that ascended the hillside. We walked this trail north, I guess all the way to Gilbride Road, then turned right and descended the other side back down along the East Branch of the Middle Brook. This took us soon along the shore of the East Branch Reservoir.
Along East Branch Reservoir, Washington Valley Park
Along East Branch Reservoir
As we walked along the shore of the lake, we came to a spot with giant stones going all the way across. I figured this must be the top of the original East Branch Reservoir dam. I had read that it was replaced, and the other structure is quite new looking and made of concrete.
Probably the top of the original East Branch Reservoir dam
At the Chimney Rock overlook
We continued on the trail until we reached the current dam site and took a little break. I told the others if they wanted to go up to Chimney Rock and the Hawk Watch they could follow me, and we'd do a side trip. Jack, Susie, Amanda, Jason, and I went up. Not sure if anyone else did. I think Eric did. The view was excellent as always.
Chimney Rock
View from Chimney Rock overlook into the East Branch gorge
View south from Chimney Rock
When I got back down to the bottom Jillane was actually jumping off into the East Branch Reservoir to my surprise. Of course Action Adam was also jumping off of the fence into the water.
Action Adam preparing to jump into East Branch Reservoir
Action Splash Adam
East Branch Dam, Washington Valley Park
Of course I had to jump in off of the fence as well. We spent a bit goofing off in the water and then made our way down along the edge of the reservoir. I went first, making my way down the rocks to the doorway section next to the base of the dam. As I worked my way through, I slipped and fell forward hard. I rolled and nearly went off the edge of the cliff! My left arm was hurting badly, more from the heavy hit than from the big cuts I'd gotten on it. I had a few other cuts and scrapes elsewhere, and I bumped my head (fortunately on a blunt rock). I was pretty shocked and couldn't move for a couple minutes.
My badly scraped up arm after falling at the East Branch Dam
I think someone said to get me to a doctor or something like that, and I was not about to have any of that happen so I perked right up and took off down the trail. My arm was stinging badly and I had a lot of grime in it.
East Branch Dam and Buttermilk Falls, Washington Valley Park
Buttermilk Falls, East Branch Dam, Washington Valley Park
When I saw a rock with what looked like a deep enough pool below me I had to take the opportunity to jump off, not only for fun, but to clean out my arm.
Crossing the East Branch of the Middle Brook
We continued down stream for a bit, and then found a good place to cross. From here we ascended slightly to Chimney Rock Road and turned left. The road went around a bend next to the Middle Brook with Chimney Rock in view from above.
We soon turned left onto Thompson Ave next to Chimney Rock Inn where we'd talked about stopping for food and drink, and although we hung around outside and talked about it no one really wanted to go in that badly so we kept on going. We continued along Thompson across Rt 22, and on the other side we turned right onto a sort of bike path. It took us past a business and then parallel with the highway.
Pathway near Rt 22 north of Bound Brook
The paved path took us back to Middle Brook where it came out from under 22 and turned left paralleling it up on a flood control berm. We soon came to an abandoned building I had found when scouting and doing pictures for my Middlebrook article for Black River Journal.
Abandoned building near Bridgewater
When I was in it before, the building was in reasonable shape and I could get right in, but it now looked like they had started to demolish it.
Action Adam and I wanted to get in, so we made our way onto a little ledge area with our back to it and managed to get into a window only one story up.
In the abandoned building
In the abandoned building
To my great surprise, Action Adam decided he was going to take a crap in the building, so I ran off.
Some of the group from the abandoned building
Lower level of the abandoned building
Looking out a window of the abandoned building.
When Action Adam had finished his business we made our way to a stair case going back and forth up the building. As we neared the top it got more and more messed up, and by the last one where we looked up to open sky it looked like it had been burnt.
Upper end of the stair case
Indeed, the building was burnt. Pretty badly I might add. It smelled like my old house in Port Colden which gave me a disturbing feeling. Looking out across the upper level it was all charred. I assumed the site was being used for training by local fire departments. We both climbed up to sit on the upper level of the building ruins. A fall from there were certainly mean the death of us.
Abandoned building ruins
From the top of the abandoned building
Action Rooftop Adam
View from the top of the abandoned building
Abandoned stairwell
I took this one from sitting on the top of the highest point still standing...quite unnerving!
Action Rooftop Adam
Abandoned and burnt building
Abandoned and burnt building
The group from the abandoned and burnt building
The group from the abandoned building along the Middle Brook
Room in the abandoned building
As we headed back down from the building through the stairs I checked out the back through another doorway. It was still a couple stories high, but a lot of it was already demolished. There were large machines parked there ready to continue with it.
Action Adam found some climbing harnasses discared in the wreck of the building he kept. Good find!
Rear portion of the building under demolition
The abandoned and burnt building
Retention wall I walked on near the Middle Brook
The paved trail descended from the retention berm, and I continued walking along the top of a large retention wall. Jack and Action Adam followed me as I recall. On the opposite side, everybody else walked toward the strip mall by the Shop Rite that was there while Jason Kumpas and I continued on the grassy flood berm above the Middle Brook.
Retention wall walking
The group from up on the Retention wall
Action Retention Wall Adam
The Middle Brook near the Shop Rite
On the Middle Brook berm
Looking north along the Middle Brook
We all stopped in at a Frank's Pizza there and ate. I think I bought another Four Loco or Joose or something at a liquor store. I thought the pizza was rather good but I think everybody else thought it sucked. Oh well.
After eating we crossed over Rt 28. Middle Brook Park was on the other side, so we bushwhacked down to the edge of the creek below the private property above.
Along the Middle Brook south of Rt 28, Union Ave.
We then ascended on the other side to another paved path along more of a berm above the Middle Brook. We followed this south to it's end at Main Street. It was getting really dark, so I never got to see the confluence of the Middle Brook with the Raritan, but I will go back and do another variation on this hike again, it was worthwhile.
In Middle Brook Park, near the end of the stream
We walked right on Rt 533 and then turned right up into the shopping center areas to the Target where we were parkd to close out the day.
End of the hike! Bridgewater NJ
My cut from falling at East Branch Reservoir healed pretty fas.
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