Appalachian Trail: Deckertown Tpke to NJ-23 (High Point State Park)
Distance: 10.25 miles
Elevation: 1322 feet
Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Hiking Challenges: New Jersey Appalachian Trail
I was going to attempt this hike a few days ago after work, but I wasn't in the mood for a 10+ mile jaunt that day, and I am so glad that I waited. The weather on this day is absolutely beautiful. The day started without a cloud in the sky, low-mid 60s, low humidity, and a constant breeze. By the end of the day we were in the 70s with Pixar-style clouds in the sky. Just amazing! Anyway, when I got to the parking area off the Deckertown Turnpike I was the only car in the lot, got suited up, and hopped into the woods!
The trail was classically rocky, first dipping down and then climbing back up. There was a hiker log box soon after the trail entrance, and some magnificently orange mushrooms soon after. The AT then crosses the Iris Trail and climbs a little bit higher near private property signs to an overgrown spur path to a view, which was fine. Soon after, though, the trail crossed a clear-cut pipeline area which provided an excellent view of the neighboring farmland of Sussex County. The breeze up there was incredible.
Heading back into the woods, the AT continues to follow the ridgeline, dips down and climbs back up to another junction with the Iris Trail, and then the blue-blaze trail to the Rutherford Shelter (which shockingly, then connects with the Iris Trail. The original plan was to make a loop hike with the Iris Trail, but I had read on njhiking.com that the Iris trail is not mowed on the pipeline and that was enough for me to do an out-and-back (and trend with these hikes).
The trail then continues to follow the ridge line to a couple more great views, the second better than the first. According to the NYNJTC map there is also a rock called "Dutch Shoe Rock" that I must have missed - next time! There are a few more viewpoints noted on the NYNJTC maps, but they are mostly grown-in. The trail makes a very steep descent (I believe the steepest I've encountered on the trail in NJ, maybe except for the climb to Pinwheel Vista?) into a wet area, which was dry due to the rain-less summer. I checked my phone here for a moment, and when I looked up I was started by a juvenile bear running away from me about 30 feet away. It was cute but scared me! The bear stopped to check on me about 60 feet away, but I was clanking my sticks together at that point so it peaced out. I wish I wasn't looking at my phone so I could have gotten a photo! Or maybe it was for the better...
The trail then climbs up a rocky section and slowly levels out, climbing to a view towards Sawmill Lake. There was a nice view of the sky and the neighboring ridge, but the lake was hardly visible. There were some tents pitched up down at the lake, and I believe one person down there brought their dog that barked for what felt like 15 hours straight.
At this point, the trail starts a gentle descent down to where the Iris and Mashipacong trails intersect, which was my turn-around point for the day. Back in February, I had hiked from the AT parking lot on 23-south to this point, and then down to route 519. I had a quick snack of peanut butter crackers, and started my return trip!
The return trip, like most in this journey, was fairly uneventful. I passed a few thru hikers who I chatted with about bears and snakes (the bear was not back for my return trip). When I was climbing back up the steep section, I pulled over for a hiker who was coming down, and he very proudly told me that I need to keep coming up since it's hiker etiquette that the person descending pulls over. In my head I said "I know this thank you for explaining it to me I pulled over because I am TIRED and do not need a lecture by a stranger" but my mouth said "ha thank you." Deep breaths got me through that (I was also mildly dehydrated at this point which made me crankier than usual.
One more bout of crankiness set over me when I passed a family of at least 20, who were traveling in 4-ish groups about 100 feet apart. I get wanting quality family time, but geeze. Anyway, the rest of the return trip was quite lovely. I checked out the views again and took a few more photos. I liked the lighting at this point of the day a little more, and the clouds added a nice feature in the photos. I was delighted and surprised to see a tan praying mantis at the pipeline cut! I passed a few more day and thru hikers, and right before I was back I saw the hiker log box with a memorial photo of a passed hiker on the other side with a mini backpack which was really sweet. The photo had words that read "may your love of the outdoors help the weary hiker and the slightly confused find their way" which made me chuckle and smile. Cheers! Back at the car I did my quick change and headed to the brand new Augusta Wawa for lunch!
- Park at AT parking lot on Deckertown Turnpike.
- Start hike on Appalachian Trail northbound.
- At junction with red-blazed Iris Trail, continue on AT northbound.
- Enjoy view from pipeline cut.
- At junction with Iris Trail, continue on AT northbound.
- At junction with blue-blazed trail to Rutherford Shelter, continue on AT northbound.
- At junction with blue-dot-blazed trail, continue on AT northbound.
- At junction with red-blazed Iris Trail and yellow-blazed Mashipacong Trail, turn around and retrace steps back to car.
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