Black River WMA



Black River WMA (7/24/2010)

It was another scorcher in New Jersey today (with temperatures topping above 100 F), so while we decided to hit the trails, we hid under the cover of trees, with an almost guaranteed level path, by doing another rail trail. It's hike #3 ("Black River WMA Trail") in the book 24 Great Rail-Trails of New Jersey and was one of the most remote rail trails we have done, without a single road crossing and just minor signs of civilization at the end.

We started early, at 8:45 AM when it was still only in the high 80s and finished by 11:45 AM, with temperatures in the low 90s. Total distance hiked was 7.2 miles in 3 hours.

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Trailhead on Pleasant Hill Road


Tiny trail wildflower


Car remains

Very sandy path here


Swamp near Black River

 

Swamp



Christmas ornaments!
 


Tiny trail mushrooms

Patriot's Path blaze

Blow-down

Sphagnum moss
 


Damselfly

Swallowtail

Black swallowtail

Field of wildflowers
 



Giant blow-down

Farm implement?

[Photo by Laura]
 



Very green path

Bridge

 


Marsh

Plenty of shade

Wooden bridge

Northeastern end
 



Backyard trampoline


Lower view of bridge
 


Dwarfed by trees

Twisted branches


Power line cut
 


In cut looking north

Ferns


Garter snake
 


Brook

View across river


Giant mushrooms
 



Muddy section


Another swallowtail
 


Back to the Christmas tree

And its decorations

Swamp wildflowers

Swamp
 

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