Hike #597; Lenape Trail; Springfield to Livingston

 Hike #597; Lenape Trail, Springfield to Livingston

11/20/11 Springfield to Eisenhower Parkway/Livingston with Susie Duncan (with Flip Flop), Cory Salveson, Teun Ott, Carol and Rob Creamer (with Bruce and Chico), Eric Pace, Chrissi Carney, DJ Ray Cordts, and Amanda Povinelli.

The group at Hemlock Falls, South Mountain Reservation

My next hike would be another point to point, this time to complete the southern portion of the Lenape Trail. I'd hike the entire west to east route years before, but never got around to doing the section from the main trail south through South Mountain Reservation to Millburn.

Aside from hiking just this, I had proposed to Steve Marano (who had taken over Liberty Water Gap Trail and Lenape Trail from Al Kent, it's founder) extending the southern branch of the Lenape Trail from South Mountain through Millburn and out to connect with the Watchung Reservation of Union County. Joe Tag showed me a good route from Watchung Reservation to Summit, and I came up with a few possible routes from Briant Parkway, which we'd hiked through before, to South Mountain. We would scout some of these routes this time.

After meeting at the Quick Check on Eisenhower Parkway near Livingston, we shuttled as few cars as possible south to Briant Parkway. DJ Ray and Chrissi would meet up a bit late.

On the trail in Briant Park

We parked on Briant Parkway, and then turned into the park following the paved trails that loop on through. The main trail we took was through the center of the park, through some trees, over a bridge and then to the left. We skipped the interior of a paved loop trail because we could see the entire route from one location.

Pond in Briant Park

Briant Park

The trail cuved around, and we passed many other walkers coming through. We must have looked a bit odd, because I made the theme for this hike Pajamas. I asked all participants if they would to wear pajamas for the trip. Only myself, Susie, Carol, Rob and Flip Flop were wearing pajamas, but it must have looked crazy.

We continued through the park out to Briant Park Drive where the paved path ended. We turned right here, and where the road came to a dead end, we continued straight on a path that led into Troy Drive through an apartment complex. We used some of this route previously, and it crossed over the former Rahway Valley Railroad right of way.

Former Rahway Valley Railroad

We continued through the apartment complex until the buildings on the left of us disappeared, and then cut directly through a swath of woods on out to the Rahway Valley Railroad tracks, overgrown and abandoned. we turned right to follow them a bit, but they did not remain clear enough, so we simply paralleled them. I think we must have come out on Baltusrol Way, and then followed it on for a narrow turn and then across Rt 24. Immediately on the east side of the bridge, there was a set of stairs leading down to Baltusrol Ave which we continued to follow straight. We then reached Morris Ave and turned right for a bit. When Morrison Street I think it was began to turn away on the left, we crossed and followed it parallel with Morris. It was in this area that DJ Ray was planning to meet up with us. He apparently drove all the way to Union looking for us and was on his way  back. We turned left up Denham Ave and Ray found us in his car. He, his girlfriend Amanda, and Chrissi found a spot to park and we continued on to a playground park which did not allow any dogs.

While on this section of road, there were tons of piles of leaves. While DJ Ray was trying to figure out how to get to us, I spent time jump flipping into the many piles. I did not realize it at first, but I had lost my cell phone into the pile. I would have to go back for it after DJ Ray met up and we were ready to leave the park. I was fortunate to pick it up immediately from the pile. There was a guy dumping his leaves into the pile on the same spot, so I thought I was screwed, but I got lucky.

A path through a fence to the left led out to the end of Forest Drive, where we turned right and headed into an apartment complex, or town houses or something. We tried turning right through the buildings, and out to the ball fields beyond, but they were separated from us by a stream and a chain link fence with no visible way of getting through. We wandered around a bit, but ended up having to walk all the way out to Short Hills Ave on the west.

View toward Washington Rock on South Mountain from Millburn

We met a guy along the way who had told me he'd tried to get in that way before, but couldn't find anything. We turned right onto Short Hills Ave and followed it north to where something behind the high school of Millburn was under construction. The gates around the entrance to the construction area were left open, and there were no signs telling us not to trespass, so we walked on in. There was a great view toward Washington Rock, where we would soon be on South Mountain.

Construction area behind the high school in Millburn

Eric decided instead to walk around the perimeter of the high school and down the main street. The rest of us kept going through, but when we got to the east end, again we could not find a way to get through to the ball fields. The stream reached over here as well, and then there were more fences. We instead climbed down the mounds of dirt and went north along the edge to exit the property onto Millburn Ave. Eric was in front of one of the schools when we got out there. We then continued right into one of the school's entrance roads and out past the north side of the ball fields.

Leaf pile on Rector Street, Millburn NJ

We must have looked rather silly passing through. We made our way out of the school property onto Rector Street which headed mostly east. There was a giant pile of leaves on the right side of the right, which I could not resist but jump into.

Leaf jumping on Rector Street, Millburn NJ

DJ Ray and Chrissi followed to jump into the pile shortly after me. We then continued east down Rector Street until we got to the southern entrance to Taylor Park, a nice little community park near the middle of Millburn. There was a nice paved path that led into the park after we crossed over a branch of the Rahway River, quite small at this point.

Rahway River in Millburn

We followed the path into the park, which split in a couple directions. There was a nice pedestrian bridge over the Rahway River to our left, and then beyond a dam which should normally be holding back a pond. This time, the gates of the dam were opened and the pond was so shallow that one could walk right across on stones without getting their feet wet.

Pedestrian bridge over Rahway River in Millburn, Taylor Park

We continued walking until we got about mid way along the pond where there was a community center on the right. We figured this would be a good spot to take a little break. A few of us wandered inside the building to look for restrooms. There was an orchestra practicing in a main room ahead of us, and we tried both right and left until we found the facilities.

Taylor Park pond in Millburn

Taylor Park, Millburn

Taylor Park, Millburn

We sat outside of the place, commenting on how as far as the orchestra inside was concerned, they weren't playing any real music, just stroking violin bows and making odd sounds, like the Avante Garde version of orchestras. Everyone commented that they didn't quite sound good, and I added that they were the "Grateful Dead" of orchestras. DJ Ray then exited the building and said "They sounded pretty good", not knowing what we were talking about. I commented "Don't listen to him, he likes the Grateful Dead".

In Taylor Park, Millburn

We made our way north through the park to Millburn Ave. DJ Ray, Amanda, and Eric stopped for food, but I didn't know it. We turned right and crossed the street, then immediately turned left into an alley. The alley took us out along the Rahway River between buildings.

Rahway River in Millburn

The river was sort of held in by a concrete flume through the most developed part of Millburn, but it was still rather pretty. The alley became a walkway that continued along the river north out to Essex Street. We followed it through here, and then I walked up and down the street looking for where we could buy some drinks and snacks, but didn't really see anything. I realized in this area that the other three had stopped. The reason I didn't stop is because I could see by the look of the deli there that it would take longer than I was really willing to wait, but they stopped and didn't tell me.

Rahway River in Millburn

Along Rahway River, Millburn NJ

Along Rahway River, Millburn NJ

There was literally nothing really to have for food, so we headed right along Essex Street, and then turned left onto Lackawanna Place. This took us under the former Lackawanna/Morris and Essex rail line and past the Millburn Station. We then reached Glen Avenue. Almost directly across from this point was the southern terminus of a branch of the Lenape Trail. I had followed this section once before, but we turned off of it to do other trails the previous time. This time we would stick with the Lenape Trail north bound.

Southern terminus of the Lenape Trail in Millburn

Cory talked to Ray on the phone to let him know what we were doing. The trail took us up the main drive to the parking area, and then turned right through Locust Grove, a sort of picnic area. there were still a lot of branches down from the recent snow storm, but the trail was pretty much okay.

The Lenape Trail pretty much followed a woods road going up South Mountain. When it reached the concrete base of the overlook above, it turned off to the right and then eventually came out on Crest Drive.

Crest Drive, closed in South Mountain Reservation

Closed Crest Drive, South Mountain

The trail turned right onto Crest Drive. Since the recent snow storm, there were many branches still down over the road. I was surprised that in many places the trail was cleared of debris but the roads were not. We continued on the road back to the south, stepping over or around the fallen trees.

Washington Rock along Lenape Trail

Washington Rock view

Washington Rock view

We continued until we got to where there was a paved turn around in the road. There was somewhat of a view up at this point in many directions, but there were a lot of trees blocking the way. We could sort of see out toward New York City. The trail turned right from the turn around, and then left down a paved path losing some elevation toward Washington Rock.

The path descended slightly from the level of the road.

Lenape Trail reaching Washington Rock, South Mountain

When we reached the viewing platform, we could see out across the town of Millburn, all the way back to where we had come through, from the high school and the construction site, toward Briant Park before the next piece of the Watchung Ridge. It was one of those great perspectives that gave us a sense of accomplishment.

View from Washington Rock

View from Washington Rock, South Mountain

View from Washington Rock, South Mountain

As many know, there are several places that carry the name "Washington Rock", most notably another similar Washington Rock that is a state park on the Watchung Ridge further west. This particular Washington Rock was once the site of Beacon Signal Station #9, one of twenty three signal stations constructed by General George Washingotn to observe the movements of British troops on Staten Island and in New York City. The location was used extensively around 1780 when Washington's troops were station in Morristown, and it was reactivated again for the War of 1812.

DJ Ray, Amanda, and Eric ascending to the trail at Washington Rock

Ascending to Washington Rock on South Mountain

Although DJ Ray, Amanda, and Eric had fallen behind, they were now on the trail heading up to Washington Rock. From the top, I looked down to see them approaching. When I saw them, I instructed them to bushwhack to us rather than go around to save time. All three made it up in pretty good time, which was a big help. Once we were all together, we moved on down the Lenape Trail, which began to lose a little more elevation.

View from Lenape Trail in Washington Rock vicinity, South Mountain Reservation

Lenape Trail above an old quarry site, South Mountain.

Maple Falls Cascade area along Lenape Trail

Lenape Trail, South Mountain Reservation

Lenape Trail, South Mountain Reservation

We continued walking as the trail made it's way above a slope with a seasonal view. The map showed that there was once a quarry below us here. The trail then turned to the north and continued mostly in that direction. There were several side trails and cross trails along the way, but I don't remember what they were or what their significance was. I recall crossing over the Maple Falls Cascades, which were pretty anti climactic, but nice. We then continued along shelf like pathway to places known as Lilliput Knob and Beech Brook Cascades. I don't recall there being anything particularly special other than the fact that they were nice woods. There were some really nice enormous trees out there.

Lenape Trail, South Mountain Reservation

Stone ruins along Lenape Trail in South Mountain Reservation

Hemlock Falls along Lenape Trail

I don't recall many particular interesting things about the trail in the next section. We crossed over places known as Mines Point, followed by Balls Bluff, which I remembered having a laugh about. Cory and I talked extensively about Super Mario Brothers, a video game series I had been quite into when I was younger. I occasionally crave playing the games from time to time, but overall am glad not to be involved in so many video games as I once was.

Hemlock Falls

Hemlock Falls, South Mountain Reservation

Steps on the trail to the top of Hemlock Falls

Hemlock Falls, South Mountain Reservation

The group at Hemlock Falls in South Mountain Res.

Cascades near Hemlock Falls

Lenape Trail and foot bridge near Hemlock Falls, South Mountain

From Balls Bluff, we descended a bit more, and soon came within sight of Hemlock Falls, the best cascade we would see on this trip. The trail made a sweeping turn to the right of the falls, losing elevation, then came to the base of them. It was quite an impressive cascade for this area. I'd wished it were a bit warmer because I would most certainly have taken a dip in the base of them. The dogs of course were in.Carol and Rob had actually hiked this area before even meeting me, because Carol used to live around there. In fact, she once worked at the Turtle Back Zoo which was part of the reservation just to the north of us.

There were quite a few people at the waterfall, and Susie even knew a couple we met there.

The trail crossed a foot bridge over the creek here, and continued to follow it down stream to the left. Other trails joined in, including one impressive one with beautiful stone steps. Lenape Trail followed a bridle trail which kept close to the creek and passed a few minor cascades on the right side.

Lenape Trail near Hemlock Falls

Lenape Trail crossing South Orange Ave

Lenape Trail near South Orange Ave

The trail continued ahead until it turned right off of the bridle trail and eventually joined another one. We continued only a short distance to where the trail crossed over South Orange Avenue on a pedestrian bridge. It was in this area that I had told DJ Ray to park his car so that he, Amanda, and Chrissi could have the early out option. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding in directions, and Ray had parked in the middle of South Orange proper, no where near the Reservation. They would have a walk almost as long as what we'd done from Millburn in order to get back.

Lenape Trail, South Mountain Reservation

Rahway River, South Mountain Reservation

Crossing the Rahway River in South Mountain Reservation

They opted to descend from the bridge and make their way along the road to have a taxi pick them up so they could make their prior obligations. We crossed the pedestrian bridge on Lenape Trail and continued into a stand of confiers. The trail was co aligned with the Reservoir Trail, and then turned off to the left through the pine grove, with a sot of shelter built up against one of them. We continued out of the pine grove and into an open area with picnic benches called Tulip Springs where we took a brief break. There was a foot bridge here where the Lenape Trail crossed the Rahway River.

Shady Hook, South Mountain Reservation

Shady Hook, South Mountain Reservation

Tree in Shady Hook in South Mountain Reservation

Along Lenape Trail, northern South Mountain Reservation

View of Orange Reservoir from Lenape Trail

View from Lenape Trail toward Turtle Back Zoo

After our break, we continued across the foot bridge. On the other side, the trail ascended up hill to another ridge of the Watchung Mountains. It was somewhat washed out and therefore tough to recognize at first. Once we got to the top, it opened up to another wide mowed area shown on the maps as "Shady Noon". It was tougher to see the Lenape Trail blazes here, but we soon saw them heading slightly to the left through the fields. We crossed through a line of trees, and then across another wide open field toward South Orange Ave again. We soon reached the intersection of South Orange Ave and Cherry Lane. There was a Lenape Trail sign showing the trail crossed Cherry Lane here at the light.

When we turned back, we could see DJ Ray, Amanda, and Chrissi were walking the road not far behind us. I immediately realized they were walking the wrong direction if they wanted to get to South Orange. When I called them up, they told me that they knew, but that they were getting to an easier place for a taxi to pick them up.

We turned and crossed Cherry Lane, and the trail stayed sort of parallel with South Orange Ave for a bit before making a hard right turn to the right along the top of a ridge area. We were soon further away from development, as houses and signs of cars deadened. We were unfortunately never far form the sound of the road in the valley.

The trail stayed beside the edge of the Watchung Ridge, with the valley below us to the right.

I got pretty far ahead of the group in this stretch. Further back, Carol put a leash on me to slow me down, but she didn't get the chance here. This section had some nice big trees, and as we continued there were seasonal views of the Orange Reservoir in the valley below us. We could start to see the Turtle Back Zoo through the trees soon.

Overlook building at The Crag, South Mountain Reservation

Another trail was parallel to the left of us, and got close a couple times, but we stayed on the Lenape Trail foot path. I decided it was a good time to wait for the others when I arrived at "The Crag", a great view looking over the Orange Reservoir, Turtle Back Zoo, and the rest of the valley from a stone viewing structure with benches inside.

View from The Crag, South Mountain Reservation

It was definitely the best spot for a break. It was surprising to see such nice stone steps cut out, and a building in the middle of nowhere that you actually have to hike to reach. Many of these structures and pine plantations were the work of the Civilian Conservations Corps in the 1930s. This park itself dated back as far as 1895. I remembered reading that Essex's Eagle Rock Reservation was the oldest county park in America, so it wasn't so surprising that this one was so old.

The Crag, South Mountain Reservation

Northfield Ave bridge, Lenape Trail

Northfield Ave bridge, Lenape Trail

We left The Crag shortly, and continued along the Lenape Trail heading north. We soon reached a foot bridge where the trail crossed Northfield Avenue. This foot bridge almost looked like it was intended for vehicular traffic, because the left side was wide enough for it, although barely, and the right was narrow for only a foot path. We continued across and skirted many homes to the left side of us. We continued along the Lenape Trail heading north to Mayapple Hill.

At Mayapple Hill

When we reached Mayapple Hill, I was unhappy to see the triple blaze for the end of the Lenape Trail. The South Mountain Reservation map showed it continuing on, but I knew it would mean more difficulty from here on out. I looked at what the map said the trail did, and so we followed a woods road section around the south and west side of Mayapple Hill.

The paths just looped us back to the picnic ground again, and nothing happened, so I opted to wander off into the woods to get a perspective. I was quite happy to see yellow Lenape Trail blazes put through the woods. I called everyone along, and we were able to follow the trail out and down to Cedar Avenue.

The trail crossed, but was less blazed on the other side as it ascended on an old woods road. In the middle of the woods, the blazes again ended with a triple blaze. We of course weren't stopping and made our way further up. The undergrowth got somewhat bad, but we were able to follow orange tags to the north, presumably the Lenape Trail route. There were also blue and pink tags in the same area, very close by. I had thought they were from two separate scouting trips for the same trail, but David Alexander from the Essex Co parks told me that it was probably two trails intended for loops they wanted to develop.

Future Lenape Trail route in the Watchung Mountains

The route continued through the woods, with some homes off to the right, and a steeper slope to the left. We soon came to a small dip with a creek running east/west ahead. We descended and crossed the creek, and then followed a line of concrete posts that were once holding a fence. We could still see some flags, and tried to stay near to them. We ascended a hill and turned left slightly away from the posts on the other side, which took us out at Whitbay Drive and some town houses. We opted to hang out here for a break while waiting for Eric to catch up. In this section of woods, I had found a nice arrow stuck in a log, as well as a fake plastic gord.

After Eric caught up, we continued out to the development road and followed it slightly down hill. We saw a few orange flags on street signs, and that's where I opted to turn away from the road again. Along the way, people asked what we were doing again, and asked to have the dogs on a leash.

Future Lenape Trail route in the Watchung Mountains

This next section had served as a dump rather obviously for many many years. There were all sorts of old bottles strewn about everywhere. We made our way through the woods, which wasn't so tough this time, and then across yet another creek. Beyond where we crossed I could see the remains of a dam that once spanned the creek, as well as where the slack water would have been held. I did not see any remains of a mill in the area however.

Future Lenape Trail route, with an old dam near Kelly Drive

Coming out of the woods to Kelly Drive

We soon made our way out of the wet lowland to Kelly Drive and turned right. We followed Kelly Drive a short distance to Mt. Pleasant Ave. I was no longer worried about where the trail was intended to go because I did not expect we'd be seeing any other blazes until we got to the main branch of the Lenape Trail. A map we found on the Liberty Water Gap Trail website showed the trail route on a series of side streets through here, but I figured turning right on Mt Pleasant and then left onto Ellison Ave would be smarter, so we turned right onto Mt Pleasant.

When we got to Ellison, I was very surprised to see a blue triple blaze on a utility pole. We continued up Ellison for a while until is came to a dead end.

Lenape Trail nearing the connection with the main east/west route

The trail entered the woods on an old paved pathway with cracked asphalt and continued through the woods. I was pretty happy to see a real official trail in this area. I couldn't figure out why it would be blue instead of yellow, but I figured probably to avoid confusion with the east/west route. We continued on as the trail made a turn and emerged onto some ball field grounds and turned left. There was a kiosk there with information on the Lenape Trail.

Lenape Trail map

We passed by the kiosk and continued north along the edge of the ball field. We found some relief in the form of a water fountain that was still turned on. I know from working in parks that most are turned off this time of year, but the ball games must justify keeping it open. We all refilled our water bottles before going on.

It didn't take long before we turned right out of the ball field area on a narrow paved path that went right across people's back yards and out to Ralph Road I'm guessing it was.

Lenape Trail near Ralph Road

We must have made a couple of turns to get us out to Manger Road. The Lenape Trail followed this northbound until we reached McGuire Drive. Here, we turned right. I could not find any more of the blue blazes which concerned me, but I knew right where the main Lenape Trail was anyway, on the power line directly north of us.

View of Rt 280 from Lenape Trail

We turned left along the berm of what must have been a retention pond, and then right down hill onto the power line. We could now see the end of trail triple blue blaze and the yellow Lenape Trail blazes. To the right of us was the outstanding view from the power line of Rt 280 toward Verona.

View of Rt 280 form Lenape Trail toward Verona

We turned left and began following the Lenape Trail along the power line west.

We watched closely for the blazes, which pretty much stayed on the power line, but then turned off to the left to parallel it just into the woods at one point. It then came out and passed by a sub station on the right, and cut back into the woods again. I did not remember the trail doing this the previous time I had hiked it. I found out later it was because this was a new section. Essex County had just preserved Prospect Park, and put in a trail system. The Lenape Trail soon joined with a white blazed trail, marked correctly but with pieces of oddly cut plastic. The two trails took us south of the power line through some nice woods, and then crossed a foot bridge to a new parking area for Prospect Park.

Prospect Park foot bridge, Lenape Trail

I was happy to see the nice new parking lot had a trail map in it, and I was surprised to see that the trail system was bigger than I'd expected it would be.

I waited here for a bit, as Carol, Rob, and Eric had fallen behind a bit. I told them to sit tight at Prospect Park while the rest of us would complete the hike and come back for them. Eric ended up going all the way out to Laurel Ave where the power line crossed rather than the Prospect Park lot. I told him by phone to come back to that point to wait.

Map of Prospect Park

We began following Lenape Trail blazes to the left, but I was thinking it would make more sense than it did. We followed blazed on Shrewsbury Drive to Route 10, turned right, then turned right again on another part of Laurel Ave. The road sides were covered in lots of branches that made the side walk difficult to walk on to East McClellan Ave and turned left. Looking at the map, we could have just followed Laurel Ave and been there so much quicker, but apparently the trail was routed so that the road could be crossed at a traffic light for safety rather than directly where it was more convenient. The trail must have gotten back on the power line or something here, because we lost the blazes for a bit on the road. We needed to take a more direct route, so we stayed on McLelland all the way out to Livingston Ave upon which time the blazes had rejoined our route. We turned right, and Cory and I were talking about the abandoned camp we liked to hang out at, and it turned out he was one of the last camp managers before it closed down. I was blown away to find out a place so close to me was related to a long time friend.

We turned left where the Lenape Trail headed up hill on a woods road into Becker Park. We continued to the power line again and followed that. Even when the Lenape Trail turned away from the power line, we continued on to be quicker. This made it a bit difficult because before we crossed Locust Ave, we had to cross a couple branches of streams which was tough in the dark.

On the opposite side of Locust, we made our way up hill on the power line again, above Nob Hill Road and a development to the left, then descended to the former Caldwell Branch of the Erie Railroad tracks. We were almost finished at this point. We had to bushwhack to the right of the utility line, then cross a deep ditch in order to get to the tracks.

Teun on the tracks near the end of the hike, Livingston

Once on the tracks, we turned left and continued out toward Eisenhower Parkway. It didn't take long before we were able to descend from the tracks down to the parking lot of the Quick Check where we were parked.

I had Cory go back and pick up the others while I waited behind at the Quick Check, and ironically David Alexander showed up with his girlfriend, and bumped into me by coincidence. I was able to give him the arrow and fake gord I had been carrying all these miles so that he could use him in his programs with Essex County.

Cory drove us back down to the Millburn area to close out another fun and crazy day.