Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 3.88 miles
Elevation: 955 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2024

The Hike

Back to the Tourne! I made my way over for a 5pm hike. It was 85 degrees, humid, but less humid than Mt. Tammany. There were just a few other cars in the parking lot. Squirrels everywhere and the air smelled very floral. I passed a man with his dog heading up and was greeted by a lovely breeze (and a blowdown from yesterday's storm).

On the way down I saw the wineberries were ripe but I was not that hungry after inhaling proscuitto and cheese after work. I saw some ghost pipes on the way down, too!

The gnats were pretty annoying down low, but they were only active in the lower part of the hill, which made it survivable. I heard music coming from the picnic pavillion which did make me think I was going crazy at first.

"My brain is sweat and JOYRIDE" - I wrote that in my notes. Kesha's new song is truly excellent, in my opinion! I was suffering slighly due to the sweaty polyester shirt adhering to my back since I was without a pack on. I might start wearing a small pack just to avoid this, but we'll see. I slipped twice on the loose gravel on the descent, passed the same duo three times, and eventually made it back to the parking lot after three laps.

Step-By-Step

- Park at parking area on the Old Denville Side of McCaffrey Lane.

- Start hike on Yellow Dot trail from parking lot.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow trail to hike the loop.

- After three loops, return to car via Yellow Dot trail.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album