Ken Lockwood Gorge 6-mile hike (High Bridge NJ)

It has been said that how you spend the early days of the New Year can set the tone for the rest of the year. With that in mind there is no time like the present to meet some new friends, hit the trails, make some memories and get the New Year off to a good start!

Since our weather has been kind of a mixed bag lately, and I can’t predict what January will be like – could be 60, could be -6. If there is snow, we will do this as a snow shoe hike. No snow we’ll just hike. This is technically a walk because it is a flat rail trail, but due to the distance I’m calling it a hike. The terrain varies from a paved trail to cinder and dirt. Hiking boots are recommended and if there is ice Micro-Spikes are handy to have (forget YakTrax, they just fall apart).

New Jersey Monthly magazine has called Ken Lockwood Gorge one of the “Ten Most Beautiful Places in New Jersey.” With its steep slopes, huge boulders, impressive rapids and northern hemlocks, Ken Lockwood has long been a famous and much-loved site to birders, naturalists, kayakers, photographers, hikers, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. This is the southernmost hemlock glen in New Jersey and the cool micro-climate created by the hemlocks, local geology and rushing water and mist – is home to a number of species of birds, other animals and plants that are more typical of far northern New Jersey and New England. We will be hiking by one of the most scenic stretches of the Raritan River, and one of the best fly fishing locales in the state.

We will meet at 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot and head out on the trail by 11:00.

Suggestions of what to bring/wear:

– Dress in layers avoiding anything cotton, remember COTTON KILLS. A synthetic or SmartWool wicking base layer under a fleece and a windproof/waterproof shell are good layering options.

– 2+ liters of water or warm beverge in a thermos, it is just as important to stay hydrated in cold weather as warm

– MicroSpikes or traction device if ice is present

– Snack/lunch

Directions: Directions from Clinton NJ area to parking in High Bridge Boro – Proceed north on Route 31 for 1.7 miles to Route 513 North. Turn right and follow Route 513 into High Bridge. Go about 1 mile, pass under the train tracks, and turn left into the center of High Bridge. Just before the Boro Hall, turn left into the municipal parking lot, marked by a “High Bridge Commons” sign.

If you are coming from Sussex or Morris Counties make your way to the center of Chester turning onto 513 heading towards Long Valley/Califon. Continue on 513 until you reach High Bridge. You will come to a T. Make a right at the T and you will see the “High Bridge Commons” sign through the next stop sign.

Post hiking dining in High Bridge is an option pending interest.

Please check the site by 8:00a.m. the morning of the hike in case there are any updates or weather related changes. Predictions of snow automatically cancels this event.

Look forward to seeing you all on the trail!