Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.17 miles

Elevation: 1,270 feet

Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

Final Tourne of the summer! I had a similar night as of last last Tuesday resulting in minimal sleep and medium racing thoughts in my brain, but it was absolutely beautiful out. 67 degrees, low humidity, and sunny. This was also going to be my final hike with my current pair of Merrel Moab 3s, as I got a new pair for my birthday! I passed a familiar friendly woman on my first uphill who commented on the wonderful weather, and I spent the next couple of laps just reflecting on my Jersey summer, which was pretty fantastic. 

I saw a massive hawk quietly flying through the woods at the bottom of lap three, and unfortunately experienced some more nipple chafing on the fourth climb. I was flirting with doing five laps again, but the chafing prevented me. I did pass a cute snake on my final push, though. Back to Boston I go!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (5x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (5x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 6.33 miles

Elevation: 1,594 feet

Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

It's August, I am back from a combination vacation of Altantic City with my friends for my 30th birthday and Seaside Heights with the family. We just got back from the shore, and after a nap, I was back to the Tourne to get a few more segments in before I head back to New England. It was BEAUTIUFL out. Humidty was medium-low and it was only 76 degrees out with a constant breeze - truly heavenly. There were a medium amount of cars, but I was choosing to be okay with it.

My first climb was a fast one (and apparently a PR!), as I passed five different people - two of which were a couple struggling to push a stroller up the gravel. I had my headphones in for this hike, as I was craving some music. First up was Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony - truly a masterpiece. I made it up in record time and continued on down, past some animal that was making a truly wild sound off in the woods. There were hardly any bugs, and despite all of the tequila I had drinken the past week, I was feeling good!

I went for another PR on lap #2, and I succeeded! I was gassed at the top of #2, but was still feeling good. I did NOT blast up lap #3, though. I took my time and got mad at my watch, which was telling me my heart rate was in the low 100s when it was really in the upper 160s. There were smoky skies from the Canadian wildfires that led to an early golden hour, and my headphones eventually died at the top of lap #3. Thankfully, it was right at the end of the Largo from the New World Symphony, which was a nice stopping point. 

I wrung out my shirt at the top of laps 3, 4, and 5. I opted for the 5th lap because it was simply just beautiful out. I also did not see any people after my third lap, which added to the delight. I did have a surprisingly painful bout of nipple chafing on my final push, but soon I was back at the car and clean!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Toune Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop

Distance: 2.70 miles

Elevation: 650 feet

Time: 47 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

It's officially my birthday weekend! My 30th birthday weekend! Beside the emotions I was dealing with yesterday (and today), I haven't had much birthday anxiety about the big three-zero, which has been good. Emma was officially in town! We were planning to go skiing at the American Dream Mall in the early afternoon, but I wanted to get a couple loops in at the Tourne "for my health" (actually to further solidify my local legend status). Emma is training for a baby triathalon, so she went for a run and I went for a hike!

It was a cooler 74 degrees with a slight breeze and significantly less humidity. Bugs were a little bothersome at the beginning, but not too bad elsewhere. I made it to the top and back down, and to my surprise the Wildflower Trail entrance was caution-taped off. Not sure if it was closed-closed or closed for a wasp or something like that, but it very much looked like we shouldn't enter (not that I was panning to anyway). I was pretty tired already on my second climb, but I was also going faster than usual so I had enough time to get home and shower. The cicadas and woodpeckers woke up around 8am, and soon enough I was back at the car!

The rest of the day was delightfully fun. We went to the Tick Tock Diner for a 10am breakfast, then did some shopping and drinking at the American Dream before meeting my summer work friend for some skiing from 1-3! We hoped to go down the shore to Donovan's afterwards to get some snow-and-sand, but there were TORRENTIAL downpours while we were skiing, which led to some insane traffic, so we opted to go back to mom's house and then out to Morristown for some live music before heading home to meet Jess and Bae, and then head to Atlantic City in the morning for the birthday party!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,273 feet

Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

My trip to the city yesterday was wonderful and led to some... choice decisions afterward that had me getting home this morning (instead of last night)! It was going to be another dreadfully hot, humid day, so I decided my first course of action would to be to hike out my sins and some pent up emotions. It was 83 degrees out when I arrived at 10:00am and there were just a few other cars in the parking lot. The cicadas ushered me in with their scraming (which I actually love), and I was happy to see (and feel) that overall conditions were better. The air was moving and the bugs were subdued. I passed/crossed paths with three people on my first climb and soon was making my way up for lap two! I was almost run over by a mountain biker flying down the trail, though, which was frustrating. 

I was feeling significantly more tired on the third climb as my watch got stuck at 112bpm again, and then I wrung out my shirt at the top of lap three. I passed a friendly couple on my way down - the man said "Hey! Why aren't you huffing and puffing?!" and the woman said "Did you see any bears?!"

I knew the fourth climb was going to be a push, but I was really needing the endorphins, so I pushed on. The cicadas had mostly calmed down by this point, and I slowly made my way to the top! I saw the friendly couple sitting at the top and the woman waved and said "oh you're going twice, eh?" - I told her two was more than enough :-). 

The bugs had officially woken up for the final push, which was a bummer but was also completely fine. There were no cars in the parking lot when I made my way back, and to my DELIGHT I officially had the Local Legend status for both the climb from the parking lot AND NOW also from the bottom!! Afterwards, I went to Wawa for some lunch, showered, and took a solid nap as I figured out how to handle these pent up emotions.

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.94 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

I'm currently in the liminal space phase of my summer - after work has ended and before the family trip down the shore. I had plans in the afternoon/evening to go into the city to see the One World Trace Center Observatory and then to see a wonderful and ridiculous play called "Ginger Twinsies," which was a spoof on the movie "The Parent Trap." I had a few hours to kill in the morning, so naturally I was back to the Tourne! The parking lot was wonderfully and entirely empty at 8:30am on a Monday! It was 75 degrees out by the high humidity made it feel just miserable. I passed a couple of fawns on my drive in, my shoes were still damp with sweat from yesterday's hike in the water gap, and off I went!

The bugs were already out and about on the yellow dot trail with loud cicadas up in the trees. I felt as if I was swimming through hot soup when I reached the top of my first lap and I found my first human of the day at the bottom. She loudly proclaimed "GOOD MORNING! These bugs are terrible!" - she was correct.

I was pouring sweat by the time I was at the top of round two. I was definitely going to go for three laps, but I could make no promises about a fourth. I was feeling... dreadful on my second descent and eventually passed the same woman again who said "wow, twice, eh?" My watch was stuck at 113bpm for the third climb which was annoying only because I wanted to know truly how much I was dying. I passed the same woman once more time as I neared the top of lap three and she said "Again?1 How many are you going to do?!" I told her three and NO MORE and she said "Don't overdo it. You're awesome!" after noticing how drenched in sweat I was. The "You're awesome" comment helped get me to the top!

I wrung out my shirt and chugged some water at the top of lap three and made the executive decision to not go for a fourth - all I truly wanted was a cold shower. I saw two new people on the final descent, and soon enough I was suffering through the dense bugs and humid air back to my car so I could take my cold shower!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,283 feet

Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

After a busy few days of work and friends, I was back to the Tourne (again)! I was up WAY too late last night, but still was hiking by 9:10am. Sadly and expectedly, there were lots of cars in the parking lot. It was only 73 degrees out, but it was also dreadfully humid. My watch's GPS was taking too long to connect, so I missed out on getting my segments for my local legend status, but it's fine...

I immediately ran into a (very sweet) child I taught at camp and her entire extended family... learned my lesson about coming here on a Saturday morning! I climbed up to the top and passed a few birch trees that were beginning to yellow? I wonder why they're changing colors so comically early. I had a lovely breeze on the way down followed by a wildly screeching bird, maybe a hawk? There were just a few gnats at the bottom of lap #1 and then a duo of pileated woodpeckers really going at a tree stump on my way up lap #2. I had a scary tummy sound on lap #3, and the bugs finally woke up for lap #4. To my delight, I didn't see many people at all after that first climb, and I was feeling good!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.17 miles

Elevation: 1,266 feet

Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

This one was a mental challenge. It truly took all the strength I could muster to not take a nap before this hike, but I knew if I napped I likely wouldn't get a hike in before my camp's concert that night, so I pushed and made it! It was also beautiful out - upper 70s and low humidity. There were lots of squirrels out and about and to my delight I was NOT pouring sweat at the top of lap #1! I had my first drop of sweat fall from my forehead halfway up my second lap, and saw my first person at the top of my second lap. I was moving slow and steady, just enjoying my time in the woods. 

The summer cicadas were buzzing loudly, taking breaks every now and then. I wish I knew how to tell if they were annual cicadas or the 13/17 year ones. Maybe there is? Maybe I'd need a body? Not sure! One bug I did fully identify was the spotted lanternfly, which had taken over a dead branch of a bush. There was a mix of early and late stage nymphs, so thankfully they weren't flying yet. I smacked them with my water bottled in a weak attempt to be a good steward of nature. 

After my soft murder spree, I continued on down, slipping on gravel no less than three times, passing a few more people, and soon I made it to the top of lap #3. I put headphones in at this point, because my energy had been waining but I wanted to hit four laps. I am still on my "Death Becomes Her" kick, so I was quite excited to listen to it for the 3,000th time! The bugs had finally gotten annoying at the bottom of lap #3, and I successfully made it to the top of lap #4 without having to wring out my shirt! I made my way back to my car for a shower, nap, and a concert!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x - Boonton Side) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x - Boonton Side) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.01 miles

Elevation: 1,253 feet

Time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

I didn't get to hike yesterday because I had a wonderful excursion to New York City to see Death Becomes Her on Broadway (it was EXCELLENT!), but I am back! Old Boonton Road was closed on the Denville side, which made getting to the Tourne a bit confusing, but I eventually made my way back to the Pocono Road and then the Boulevard to get to the Tourne from the Boonton side. It was another warm, humid day in the 80s. The bugs were immediately annoying, but I was thankful for a breeze.

I had a weird foot pain on the first ascent, but I think that was from walking aaround the city in flip flops all day yesterday. I crossed paths with my first people of the day halfway up lap #2 and I got a bug bite at the bottom of lap #2. I was thinking about going for four laps becuase it would be satisfying and feel good, but I simply did not want to. 

I wrung out my shirt at the top of lap #3, slid on too much gravel on descent #3, and rallied hard for a fourth lap, and succeeded! I wrung out my shirt again up top, passed a few more people, and felt very satisfied and proud of myself for sucking it up. I crossed paths with a woman wearing a bug net at the bottom of lap #4, and I decied she won for the day (I had to run for a few yards to shake off a few flies).

Step-by-Step

- Park on Boonton Side of the Tourne. 

- Turn right onto road.

- Turn left onto access trail.

- Turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, follow access trail back to road and to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.90 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Another hot and dreadfully humid trip up and over the Tourne! It was 85 degrees and I was hiking later in the afternoon than usual (4pm versus 1pm) due to being a good brother and picking up my brothers' tuxedos for a family wedding this upcoming weekend. Right away I was greeted by a close-up red-tailed hawk flying through the woods. The skies were blue overhead which was nice as I was absolutely pouring sweat at the top of my first lap. It was again buggier than usual, which caused my second climb to be faster, which I was not happy about. 

I think some of the gravel was new because my feet were slipping a lot more than usual. I was significantly more tired than yesterday's hike, but I was still shooting for a solid four laps. There were lots of critters out and about, including but not limited to robins, blue jays, chipmunks, squirrels, and countless other birds that I cannot identify with my brain (yet). I passed a dead mole on my third descent and crossed paths with a man running uphill in a polo and cargo shorts while talking on speakerphone. I also crossed paths with the same duo up downhill #1, downhill #2, and uphill #3 - we just giggled by the third time. I wrung out my shirt on the third time up top, passed a deer, and decided to call it at three laps again because Mom said there's pizza at home!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 4.01 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 9 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Back to work after a nice weekend. After work I had some lunch and made my way over for some more laps on the Tourne! It was a hot 83-degree afternoon with an awful humidity. Storms were going to be rolling in in the next 30-to-90 minutes, so I figured I'd hike as much as I safely could and then flee when the weather allows. I originally planned to push for the PR on my Strava segment, but I soon passed a deer with new antlers on my first trip up, and taking photos of the deer was much more important than a PR!

I made it to the top, back down, and up again. There were more gnats than usual on my second trip up and the sun was feeling HOT. I found myself beginning to miss the White Mountains, which usually happens at this point of summer, and I also found myself wondering if I'm physically ready to attempt a Presidential Traverse... we'll see. 

Clouds began to roll in on my third trip up and the bugs also increased. I had to wring out my shirt on my third "summit," and decided to call it at three laps again because all the weather apps said storms would begin in 20-ish minutes. Time to go home!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.96 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

A Sunday hike at the Tourne! There were naturally more cars than on a weekday, but it was thankfully not too busy. It was a 78 degree day with clouds hot-horrible humidity, but unfortunately very stagnant air. I left my normal hiking shoes at home by accident as they were drying after my trip up Bear Mountain, so I was stuck hiking in my waterbrook mid-high boots. I crossed paths with a couple people on my first trip up the hill and was rewarded with a little breeze at the top, where another person was chilling. I passed a cardinal on my trip down which was accompanied with a wonderful breeze for most of the descent. My second lap was fully uneventful, and eventually I made it to the top a third time, where I had to wring out my shirt.

I called it at three laps becuase I had plans to meet my mom at the town brewery. I quickly realized that i made the right call, because I passed a comical amount of people essentially swarming onto the trail on my final short ascent back to the car. A drizzle began the second I touched my car, I was drowned in dead gnats, and I had just become the local legened on the parking lot-to-top segment on Strava - a successful trip!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,286 feet

Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

I had a few days off of hiking after my adventure in the Catskills due to a Wednesday-night wedding back in Boston (I am in New Jersey for July for work, which meant that I spent LOTS of time in the car recenltly). After a BIG nap, I decided it was time to revisit the Tourne and work on getting my local legend status! Temperatures were in the low 80s with HIGH humidity and clouds. My shoes were still a little damp after I left them out to dry after getting soaked by my own sweat post-Catskills, but then a thunderstorm further soaked them after (at least with fresh water?). My goal was just two laps, but I was dreaming of four. 

I started my hike by slapping myself in the face swatting at a gnat - solid start! The wineberries were beginning to open up, but were not ripe yet. I saw a chicken of the woods on the first descent and at the bottom of lap one I saw a fallen-but-cleared limb, likely from the recent thunderstorms.

A mosquito got me on the second ascent and saw my first two people at the top of lap two. I was actually feeling much better than I thought I would! There were many blue jays out on my second descent, along with more mosquitoes. I spent some time getting caught up on texts to distract from itching.

I saw a deer in the woods near the top of lap three and my shirt became Saran Swap at the top of lap three. I caught the same deer running through the woods on the third descent and continued onto my fourht ascent, feeling tired and proud. I was a slimy ball of sweat, but I got to wring out my shirt at the top of lap four. I eventually caught up to someone uniquely skipping down the hill as I passed some new folks at the bottom. The final 1/3 push back to the parking lot was quick and easy, crossing paths with one guy who looked at me, mumbled something, and ended with "Crazy huh?"

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.18 miles

Elevation: 1,234 feet

Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

Operation Local Legend is in effect! I made it back to the Tourne after day three of work and passed the lady who I saw two days ago in the parking lot. It was still quite humid, but only 78 degrees out so it did not feel nearly as horrible. A couple of morning doves cheered me on during my first climb and I passed the Parking Lot Lady on my first descent. I also noticed a new pale oyster mushroom and some nasty-smelling black cohosh flowers. I also crossed paths wtih a new character on the first descent.

I was POURING sweat on the second ascent, and crossed paths with person #2 again while climbing. Parking Lot Lady was chilling at the top while I played some Pokemon, and then I saw here again on climb #3 when she called me "an inspiration." I noticed MANY of the black cohosh off in the woods on descent #3 and crossed paths with a mountain biker. 

Climb #4 hurt but I was choosing to rally simply for the local legend mission. I heard a loud snap off in the woods, but it was just the mountain biker. I was moving slower and the bugs were more present on this climb, but I did it! My shirt was a full slab of saran wrap on the final descent and the bugs were most present, especially on the final spur to the car.

Turns out it was worth it, because I PR'd the climb from the lot to the top on Stava, and I got my 2nd and 3rd best times on the full climb. No local legend status yet, but I will not give up! AllTrails messed up this hike, but other than that, all was good!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.10 miles

Elevation: 1,260 feet

Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

Well, it's officially summer becuase I'm back at the Tourne! I had my first day my summer job and therefore my first post-work hike of the summer! I left my pack in the car, brought my water, and started my hike in some steamy, 88-degree air.

There were more cars than I wanted in the parking lot, but I quickly got over that. I climbed up the gravel path, grumpy that it would sometimes escape under my feet. There were a few blue jays doing their woodland chores and many berry bushes getting ready to open up with their free snacks. I passed the same woman on my second and third trips down, along with MANY squirrels and chipmunks. There was one BAD fly at the bottom of my third lap, and I was sweaty and gassed as I climbed my fourth.

I passed a final two people on the final push back to the car, the fly left me alone, and I had officially finished my first visit to the Tourne for the summer! I have a soft goal of earning local legend status on the loop, fingers crossed!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 2.80 miles
Elevation: 643 feet

Time: 0 hours, 55 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

A quick final trip to the Tourne of 2024! It was a pretty, chilly morning at 15 degrees and there were no other cars in the parking lot (yay!). The morning light was stunning on the snow, which ranged from a dusting to 3". My puffy came off after a few minutes and then I alternated with a baselayer/fleece sleeps up and down for the rest of the hike. I only saw one person on my hike - one guy at the top of my second lap. The best thing I saw, though, was a beautiful red fox following the trail down with me. It was fixating on something in the woods, so I had to announce myself a couple of times so it knew to keep it moving. A fun morning!

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 two loops, return to car via Yellow Dot trail.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

 Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 5.21 miles
Elevation: 1,206 feet

Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Time for one more hike at the Tourne to wrap up this part of my summer! It was a cool 68 degrees and humid, and it was fun to see the sun rays through the trees facing a different direction (this is the first time I've been here in the morning all summer!). This was also the swan song for my hiking shoes - they were DONE. I wish I tracked them better on my Garmin app - I will make sure to do a better job for the new pair! 

I was really enjoying how different the "sound board" for the morning was different than the afternoon. Different bird sounds, different insect sounds, and different critter sounds. Overall, it was much quieter in the morning. I was feeling much better than the past couple of days, too. I saw more people than expected, but that was okay. I did have to deal with one dog who had no recall skills which was a bummer. I ended up picking up my pace for lap three to get ahead of a few people and their wild dogs. I also noticed the morning Tourne people were much friendlier than the afternoon folk, but still nowhere near "hiker friendly."

After this hike I'd be embarking on an exciting and TIRING next 18 days. August 1st-3rd I would be BACK in Atlantic City for a Bachelorette Party (and my birthday), August 3rd I would drive back to north Jersey and then fly to London for a trip to London, Blackburn, and Edinburgh, primarily to scatter my grandmother's ashes in her hometown, but also for some fun tourism. I would fly back on August 11th, land in NJ, drive to Boston, and then wake up early on August 12 for band camp through the 17th. My next true day of rest was a long ways away!

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 four loops, return to car via Yellow Dot trail.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

 Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 4.07 miles
Elevation: 955 feet

Time: 1 hour, 19 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Ending July the same way I started - at The Tourne! It was a nice day in the low 80s with sun and slight humidity and a slighter breeze, but not too bad at all. I decided I would keep it chill and not race for Strava (I was solidly the local legend, anyway) and my watch was in a WEIRD mood. The charging cord is dying so I think it gaslight my watch into thinking that it was fully charged? I knew it wasn't, but alas... (I had to do a full reset to get it to show the actual percentage which was a bummer but all turned out okay!). My shoes were a little sweaty from yesterday still and my body was a little sore, but no day like today!

Yet again I put on the Wicked soundtrack for my loops and loved every moment. It was warm in the sun and lovely in the shade - it reminded me of Band Camp in August (yikes). I felt heavier than usual on my third lap but made it up with a short break at the top. I wanted to get a fourth lap in but my mind and body were simply not feeling it, and that's okay! I realized I didn't take a single photo on this hike, so here we are.

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

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 5.25 miles
Elevation: 1,263 feet

Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

A later Tourne hike than usual - it was 6:00pm and I had the park mostly to myself - yay! I was sore from YET ANOTHER weekend in Atlantic City plus skiing this morning at the American Dream Mall, but it was still nice to be out. There was some fresh horse poo near the top which was fine (I'm realzing how often I list small irritations as "fine"). I realized at the top I've basically conditioned myself to crave the Wicked soundtrack when I'm at the Tourne, so headphones were soon in!

On the way down I noticed the neon orange mushrooms were still going strong and then it seemed like I was interrupting someone's date on a bench... whoops! I angrily slipped on the loose gravel on the descent, but the millions of chipmunks in the area cheered me on. There was a neat orange light shining through the trees as I passed the couple on a date for the fourth time. Soon enough it was time for dinner and I was on the way home. A nice evening out.

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 four loops, return to car via Yellow Dot trail.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 5.24 miles
Elevation: 1,260 feet

Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Merry Christmas in July! A day later and I'm back at the Tourne, no surprise. I had a concert this night, so I had just a few hours between work and that to nap and exercise and nap again. I parked directly next to the same people I parked next to yesterday, which was equally funny and a bit awkward. I power hiked up my first lap to go for that Strava PR through some light humidity. There were plenty of people this day which was... fine, but I quickly got over that becuase tragety struck... I FORGOT TO START MY WATCH! No PR for me :-(.

There was a birch tree that's leaves were prematurely yellowing which was a beautiful sight and I found a massive chicken of the woods mushroom! My tummy was in a weird mood but as long as it continued to relatively behave I planned to hit four laps again. I also realized that I've done this loop so many times I basically know the microclimate of the hill by heart (i.e., which point it switches from nice summer breeze to nasty humid buggy mess and back). Soon enough I hit the end of my 4th lap and I was heading home.

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 four loops, return to car via Yellow Dot trail.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) + McCaffrey Lane (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) + McCaffrey Lane (Tourne County Park)

Distance: 4.02 miles
Elevation: 938 feet

Time: 1 hour, 14 minutes 
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

After yet another weekend in the happiest place on earth (Atlantic City) I was back at the Tourne! I was going to come yesterday, but I forgot my watch, went back, and when I started to drive back to the Tourne it started to rain, so it was a no-go. Today was a humid 81 degrees but not too bad in the shade. I was missing Harriman State Park - I've really been enjoying the shelter challenge, but I was happy to not be up there in the rain. My lungs were in a BAD mood - I had to leave work to get my inhalers - not sure what's up with that, but I was feeling okay now. The soundtrack for the loops was Kimberly Akimbo!

First lap up was nice and easy with a breeze up top. There was a new dog poop bag which infuriates me and the gnats were brutal, but otherwise it was lovely! I passed some really impressive neon orange fungi on the descent which was exciting, and I was MUCH sweatier heading up the second and third times. I saw another deer munching on some leaves in the hogback area, and I was trailing somebody a little too close, so I decided to walk McCaffrey Lane back instead of the usual trail. Overall a fine day, not the best, not the worst. Always happy to get out, though!

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 third summit, descend.

- At bottom jct., continue straight to McCaffrey Lane.

- Follow McCaffrey Lane back to car.

Map of Tourne County Park (2024)

Photo Album