What we’re about
This group is for people interested in the activities in the South Mountain Reservation sponsored by the South Mountain Conservancy. SMC is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation founded in March 2000. Through volunteer activities, public programs and partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation. The SMC strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of the reservation and to foster public engagement through programs such as: Trailkeepers, Chain Saw Gang, Trash Tacklers, Trail Work, Forest Regeneration, SMR Family Campout, Mayapple Trail Runs, Wildflower Sculpture Park, Citizen Science, and Bio-Blitz. Our regularly scheduled hikes are free and open to the public, but we encourage our followers to become SMC members to help support our mission. For more information visit www.somocon.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SouthMountainConservancy
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Dogwood 5 w/ Lou Nocito ~5.5-6 milesDogwood Hillside, Millburn, NJ
Saturday, April 27th, 10am - 1:30pm
Dogwood 5 About 5.5 - 6 miles over various trails. Moderate pace.
Leader: Lou Nocito, 973-953-7099
Questions: hikes@somocon.org
Current SMC members receive early access to hike registration & can pre-register up to 1 month in advance. Current SMC Members get registration priority.
# In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2024 online, or by signing below, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.# Arrival, Weather, & Cancellations
Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will not be notified. Bring water. During the summer season, wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional). Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified.
These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. Repeated no-shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.
To become a current member visit https://www.somocon.org/membership/.
- Tulip Springs w/ Donna Burkat ~6 milesTulip Springs, West Orange, NJ
Tuesday April 30th, 9.30am to 1pm
Tulip Springs 5 to 6 mile hike moderate pace. Bring water, snack/ lunch, poles.
Leader: Donna Burkat, 973-454-5635
Questions: hikes@somocon.org
Current SMC members receive early access to hike registration & can pre-register up to 1 month in advance. Current SMC Members get registration priority.
# In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2024 online, or by signing below, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials.
BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.# Arrival, Weather, & Cancellations
Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will not be notified. Bring water. During the summer season, wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional). Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified.
These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. Repeated no-shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.
To become a current member visit https://www.somocon.org/membership/.
- Second Annual Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail!Needs location
The fairies of South Mountain Conservancy invite you to the Second Annual “Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail”!
Special Guest, Storyteller Rachael Harrington, will activate the imagination of children of all ages with her uniquely creative storytelling in South Mountain Reservation's Fairy Tale Glen. There will be three Fairy Tale Story Times at 10:30 am, 11:30 am & 12:30 pm. Bring a blanket and enjoy the enchanting tales of woodland magic in the Locust Grove picnic area.
Family members of all ages can also enjoy face painting, a scavenger hunt, ice cream, crafts and more.
Dress up in your best sparkles, grab your wings, or purchase them at the event (proceeds go toward the SMC Fairy Trail Fund), and come join the fun!
Note: Park in the commuter lot behind the Millburn train station
(3-hour max.)
Raindate: May 11th
- SMR Mayapple Trails Runs: 1, 5, 10, 20, 31 (50k), & 50-mile distancesLocust Grove Parking Lot, Millburn, NJ
Runners of all abilities are invited to register for the 15th Mayapple Trail Runs to be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, rain or shine, in beautiful South Mountain Reservation. Organized by the volunteers of the South Mountain Conservancy (SMC), who maintain the trails, this event is the Conservancy's largest annual fundraiser. For more information and how to register, go to the race website or Ultrasignup.
These USA Track and Field sanctioned races provide an informal but supportive trail race environment for runners who are up to the challenge of completing distances from 5 to 50 miles. This is the first time we are offering a shorter, completely new, West-East 5-mile route. We are also continuing the more informal, untimed 1-mile race for children 5-12. The starting times are: 50 mile and 50K races, 8:30 a.m.; 20, 10 and 5-mile races, 9:30 a.m.; and the 1-mile Kids Race, 10:00 a.m.
We thank the Essex County Parks Department for providing support for this event.