Batona Trail Winter 2026, Hike 1 or all 5 sections

Batona week #1 of 5: Bass River to Evans Bridge, 9.9 miles at a moderate pace.

We will meet at Evans Bridge Route 563 by 9.30 am and shuttle to Stage rd. and Dan Bridge rd mile marker 0. the southern trailhead in Bass River State Forest to start our hike. Sights include Ives Pond, Martha's Furnace, Oswego and Wading rivers.
Must be OCSJ member & willing to shuttle. (The Shuttle is not part of the OCSJ event). We must have volunteers to return drivers to their cars at the end of the hike. Please no more than 4 per Vehicle. We will stop for lunch, clothing adjustments & brakes as needed. Each section will take place on a Friday through January and February.

Bring water a lunch or snack, hat, gloves, layer your clothing, extra socks, boots (water/mud expected), bug repellant and sunscreen. You might also want hiking poles and (Yak trax's or Micro spikes are useful for Icy conditions).
Meet: Evans Bridge Route 563 · Washington Township, NJ (.07 mile south of the Rt563/679 split; about 10 miles south of Chatsworth)
Notes: Batona weeks 1,2 and 5 will be about 10 miles each, weeks 3 and 4 are about 13 miles each.
New to long hikes? If you have been doing a few 7- or 8-mile hikes, weeks 1 & 2 are a good next step. If you do well with the 10-mile hikes weeks 3 and 4 increase to 13 miles each, a good next step. Please do not come out for a 13-mile hike without working yourself up to this step.
Please inform your leader if there are any health conditions that might affect you during this hike.
Bad weather or icy conditions may Cancel this hike.
Leaders Paul Baumhauer 609 706 03676, Wendell Gulick 215 527 3393