Mt. Tammany (Worthington State Forest)
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 1211 feet
Time: 1 hour, 58 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge
Aside from the Tourne County Park, this is probably my most frequent hike in NJ, and for good measure! The red-dot trail is definitely the steep way up. I've only descended it once, and that was when I was probably 12 years old with my mom's ex boyfriend - so I'm glad I learned that mistake at a young age. The trail starts climbing up an eroded section that is moderately steep with some larger steps, and then briefly levels out at a large rock (the trail technically goes over the rock, but there is a herd path going around it).
After that rock, it leads to an excellent view of the Delaware River and Mt. Minsi, and the trail begins to ascend again to other viewpoints. It's an excellent spot to catch your breath and question your life choices. I was definitely feeling gassed out here and I was aggressively soaked in my own sweat. I also noticed my heart rate was higher than usual for this level of a hike, so I took a second to chug some water and sit.
You know you're getting close when the canopy begins to open up. In the past there used to be a rock that was painted "you're almost there!" but I didn't see it, although I could have missed it. There is a false viewpoint, and soon after is the main view of Mt. Minsi, which is very nice. I only stuck around for a moment to take a picture because I did not need the sun on me at all. I went a little past the viewpoint to take my break, which was well needed. The only plus of this dreadful, sweaty climb was that I was mostly alone. I only passed one other pair of hikers who were also gassed out.
At the terminus of the red-dot trail, the blue trail begins. The blue trail follows the ridge of the mountain through some scenic terrain - never passing the true summit of Mt. Tammany. After some meandering the trail turns sharply left to descend the ridge, while the Mt. Tammany Fire Road continues straight. The fire road is unmaintained so in my experience, is usually overgrown at this time of year. It could be followed to make a large loop with Sunfish Pond, which is on my hiking bucket list.
The blue trail starts steeply descending and then becomes more gradual. It's a nice recovery section after fighting for my life climbing up the red-dot trail. The only hurdle was a massive blowdown at the end of the trail, but it was easy to wiggle through it. The blue trail then joins the green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail, which is one of my favorite trails in the state. There was a large group of AT thru hikers swimming, and past that is a bridge that gives a great view of the creek.
The trail from here to the car parallels the creek from up high. Some spots are wetter than others, but overall it's a really scenic section of trail. There were small groups of people swimming at different spots, which is apparently against the rules, but when the weather is the way it's been, who can be mad. Once back at the car, I quickly changed and BLASTED the air conditioning. I finished out my day with a great drive on Old Mine Road - I wanted to stay on it all the way to 206, but I missed the dirt road turn-off - whoops! I also stopped at Crater Lake for some more sightseeing. Minus almost dying, it was a great day!
- Start hike on red-blazed Mt. Tammany Trail.
- After main viewpoint on Mt. Tammany Trail, trail terminates and the blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trail begins.
- At trail junction, turn left to continue on blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trail.
- At trail junction, turn left to continue on blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trial, which now coincides with green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail.
- At trail junction, blue and green trails terminate. Continue straight to follow the Appalachian Trail to the parking lot.
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