Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)
Distance: 4.02 miles
Elevation: 955 feet
Elevation: 955 feet
Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
After a few days off I was back at the Tourne to keep my local legend status alive! It was hot hot out in the upper 80s with a heat index in the upper 90s. Four cars were in the parking lot at 1:35pm which was annoying, but c'est la vie. I definitely wanted to do two laps, maybe three if I was still alive. I had a big lunch which was a mistake, but that's a mistake I'll likely lever learn from. I immediately passed two women who had never been to the Tourne before and they asked me "is it always like this?," "is the top at least nice?," and "is it far?," all of which I joking responded to with "eh."
I continued my hike through hot soup and put my headphones on for my first descent. There was an occasional warm breeze that simply did not feel great. I did see a young deer munching on some leaves off-trail, which was nice.
My second lap was slower and sweatier, and I was rewareded with a nice breeze at the top and for the entirety of the second descent. I decided I would go for a third lap, even if it was MUCH slower. I was feeling proud of myself for getting off the couch this afternoon and actually pushing myself - its that annoying exercise thing where you feel better afterwards blah blah blah.
I wrung out my shirt on top of the third lap right next to a couple who appeared to be on a date (I did not notice them at first... oops). The breeze was now alternating warm and cool, which is fine, but what really saved me was "I'm Alive" by Celine Dion coming on for my last 100 foot climb, which is apparently all I needed!
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.
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