Mt. Tammany Loop (Worthington State Forest)
Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 3.61 miles
Elevation: 1,198 feet
Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Distance: 3.61 miles
Elevation: 1,198 feet
Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
I'm back in New Jersey for camp and its officially summer! I had a bunch of hiking goals to tackle, but I decided to start off with an old-time favorite - Mt. Tammany. I hopped on Route 80 after work got out, and about 10 minutes down the road I saw an "accident ahead" sign - didn't think too much of it. I eventually hit the backup and realized it was not moving... I checked Google Maps and it said "1 hour 39 minute delay"??? The backup was between two exits, so that seemed nearly impossible... but it was VERY possible. I sat and sat and sat and questioned my life choices. Somehow I eventually made it to the trailhead, used the bathroom just before the servicers arrived, and got hiking.
It was very humid but only in the mid-70s, which is much nicer than my awful last hike on this mountain when it was in the mid-90s. I started my climb to the consistent hum of Route 80 and was already gassed out in the first few minutes - this is a small but mighty hike! I passed two families very early on and was truly impressed with how eroded the lower section was. My favorite passerby was a "hot topic girl" straight out of 2008, with a checkered belt and everything!
0.4 miles up there is a great view of Mt. Minsi, Mt. Tammany, and the Delaware River (and Route 80...). I took some photos, and some (presumably) German girls asked me to take their photos, which I begrudingly obliged. Turns out they were insanely sweet and called me "their hero" as they cheered looking at the photos I took of them... I guess it's okay to be friendly sometimes.
Not too much further down the trail my knee started acting up, but I totally forgot about that becuase I found a family of bears! One mama and three cubs being ADORABLE. Mom and I looked at each other and mutually agreed that I'll leave her alone if she leaves me alone and lets me take some photos. I probably watched them for about 10 minutes. When I was about to move on I clapped a few times and found the third cub on the other side of the trail running to catch up with his family... good thing I clapped! I carefully made my way past where I last saw them, clapping and talking my way through, and when I glanced into the vegetation I saw mom comfortably sitting on her bum about 15 feet off trail - scared the life out of me! Thankfully we both upheld our ends of the bargain, and we went our separate ways.
I wasn't emotionally ready for the second stretch of climbing, but I made my way up slowly and sweatily. I saw an absurd number of orange peels, which aren't as biodegradable as people think, and by the end of the second big climb my shirt was acting like saran wrap.
The third and final major climb continues after part two, but with better footing. I was definitely doing much better than the last time I hiked Mt. Tammany but I was by no means thriving - thankfully the sun was away so I wasn't baking. I wondered where the "you're almost there!" rock used to be (had to be at least 6 years ago I last saw it) and saw a beautiful, red, non-cardinal bird.
When I finally made it to the top I took a couple photos of the view but kept moving on, especially since my plans for the day were shifted two hours due to the traffic. Right where the blue trails starts and turns I noticed a spur leading down a slope through some grassy ground, so I followed it briefly to see a great view of the river! I can't believe I've climbed this mountain so many times and never noticed! There was also a crow making Waluigi sounds, which was equally as incredible.
I sped-hiked my way down, passing quite a few couples, one who was enjoying the Devil's Lettuce a little too much for a public trail. The blue trail has some annoying footing for tired feet, but nothing obscene. There's still a truly impressive blowdown near the end of the blue trail, and of course there were people illegally swimming at Dunnfield Creek.
Even with the people acting a fool, Dunnfield Creek is quite magical. From the bridge all the way to the highway, it's such a beautiful area that I just wish more people would work to maintain. My hike finished like any afternoon hike in a touristy area of New Jersey, with grumpy, unfriendly day hikers and needed a bathroom break.
Step-By-Step
- 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.
"Mount Tammany" from Wikipedia
"Mount Tammany is the southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountains, in Knowlton Township, Warren County, New Jersey, United States. It is 1,526 feet (465 m) tall, and forms the east side of the Delaware Water Gap. Across the Gap is Mount Minsi, on the Pennsylvania side of the river. The mountain is named after the Lenni Lenape chief Tamanend. It lies along the Appalachian Trail in Worthington State Forest. The summit can be hiked by the Mount Tammany Trail ascending the western slopes. The trailhead is accessible from Interstate 80."
"Mt. Tammany Trail (Red-Dot)" from NPS.gov
"The Mt. Tammany Trail (Red Dot) is one of two trails that lead to the outstanding view looking into the Delaware Water Gap from Mt. Tammany. This hike is one of the most challenging in the park. Combining the Mt. Tammany Trail (Red Dot) with the Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze) makes a three-mile loop trail. If making a loop hike, consider hiking up the Red Dot Trail and down the Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze), because most people find it to be an easier route. Over twenty miles of trail can be connected together in the Worthington State Forest area to fill the entire day."
"Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze)" from NPS.gov
"The Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze) is one of two trails that lead to the outstanding view looking into the Delaware Water Gap from Mt. Tammany. This hike is one of the most challenging in the park. Combining the Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze) with the Mt. Tammany Trail (Red Dot) makes a three-mile loop trail. If making a loop hike, consider hiking up the Mt. Tammany Trail (Red Dot) and down the Blue Blaze Trail, because most people find it easier to hike up the Mt. Tammany Trail (Red Dot), rather than up the Pahaquarry Trail (Blue Blaze). Over twenty miles of trail can be connected together in the Worthington State Forest area to fill the entire day."
"Dunnfield Creek Trail" from NPS.gov
"This trail is in the Dunnfield Creek Natural Area. Dunnfield Creek is a designated Wild Trout Stream and supports a healthy population of native brook trout. The trail follows the stream through a mature hemlock and mixed hardwood ravine. Numerous small cascades are seen along the creek. Be prepared for numerous stream crossings. The trail ends at Sunfish Pond, a natural glacial lake. Over twenty miles of trail can be connected together in the Worthington State Forest area to fill the entire day."
No comments:
Post a Comment