Top of the Tourne to Birchwood via Red Loop (Wilcox Municipal/Tourne County Parks)
Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 4.89 miles
Elevation: 640 feet
Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Distance: 4.89 miles
Elevation: 640 feet
Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
Day three in a row of the Tourne! My goal was to go for an additional loop, but that plan would quickly change. I had my third day in a row of cancelled plans, so I was already in a weird headspace, my legs felt heavy, and about 2/3 the way up to the top I come across a BIG bear about 30-feet off the trail. I made my noise and skirted past him and made my way to the top where I adjusted my objective - instead of doing a bunch of small laps I'll do the big red loop to Birchwood Lake and back. I'm greatful I've been hiking in this park long enough where I know the trail system!
Coming down from the top, I noticed they re-graveled a new part of the trail since yesterday, also. The gnats were absolutely brutal in this section, but they settled down once I crossed the road. Rattlesnake Meadow was incredibly hazy, and I changed plans again when I was hiking behind someone who was going about 1% slower than me, so I turned onto the blue trail, which was quite wet.
I made it back to the red trail and somehow the man was still just ahead of me, so I slowed down to add some distance. At Birchwood, I took the loop clockwise and had to dodge swim meet and possibly a cross country practice? I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew I wanted to get out of there!
Once back in the Tourne I passed a really magnificent flourescent yellow slime mold, and rambled my way along the red trail eventually making it back to the car. It was nice to change things up with this longer loop in the park. I've been struggling this summer to find a balance between work, hiking, beach, being social, and driving, and I'm greatful the Tourne is so close to mom's house where it doesn't take a massive part of my day to get some outdoors time.
Step-By-Step
- Start hike at upper parking lot on the Denville side.
- Walk through playground to enter woods.
- Turn right onto Orange-Dot Trail.
- At next jct., turn left onto Yellow Trail.
- At next jct., open deer gate and follow Red Trail through Wildflower Area.
- Exit deer gate, turn left onto Road.
- Turn right to reenter woods onto Red Trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Blue Trail.
- At terminus, continue right onto Red Trail.
- At next jct., turn left onto Birchwood Loop.
- At parking lot, follow signs for "Tourne Access."
- Follow trail, always veering left, to Red Trail.
- Rejoin Red Trail.
- Follow Red Trail to car.
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