911 Memorial Trail Part 9: Long Valley to Waterloo!
Metrotrails: NJ, PA, NY Metropolitan Area Hiking and More!
Details
Join us for this, the ninth in the series to cover the September 11th National Memorial Trail, an alliance of trails superimposed on existing trail systems across the Mid Atlantic connecting the three 911 sites!
This will be the last piece in Morris County, which will make up the majority of the hike (over ten miles), and the remaining five and change are in Warren and Sussex.
The route will include views, historic sites, beautiful woods and so many interesting changing features one could not possibly get bored with it.
We will meet at Waterloo Village, just right of the entrance on Waterloo Road at 8:45 AM. If you take 206 north from interstate 80, turn left on Waterloo Road for easiest route. From Hackettstown, Willow Grove Street becomes Waterloo Road.
After meeting, we will shuttle with as few vehicles as possible to our start point in Long Valley where there is a deli to pick up lunch, drinks, and snacks. We will then access the Patriot's Path by way of it's spur, the Gillette Trail, which first goes through lovely farm fields.
The trail leads through lovely woods orchards to cross the South Branch of the Raritan, then heads to the former High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of NJ. We follow the rail bed a short distance to the Patriot's path, then begin to ascend Schooleys Mountain. There is an excellent view of the valley, pictured at top. We'll follow the trail up past the pond from here, and parallel with the Electric Brook up stream.
The trail crosses back and forth across the bridge a few times in this stretch. The up hill at Schooleys Mountain is one of only two substantial climbs on this hike, and by far the tougher of the two.
The trail continues from Schooleys Mountain Park to Harrington Field, then follows a narrow swath of woods between homes. We continue then across Flocktown Kossman School property, followed by a power line swath (brief). With only a couple of blocks of road walk we return to nice woodlands.
A newly developed reroute of the Patriot's Path leads us out to the old Reservoir Road section, then we head down hill toward Hackettstown, and a development that sits on the north face of Schooleys Mountain. There's a nice view from the top of the Centenary College dome and Hackettstown.
Next, we make our way toward the next bit of trail. Rather than follow the actual trail route, which is on roads, there is a better off road route, first on a farm road that we always use to get across a small brook, then we make our way across at the traffic light by the Target, where we can get more snacks if need be.
Next to the Target, there is another abandoned road, once a through public road, that leads out to East Avenue. We return to the marked Patriot's Path with substantially less road walking by taking this route.
The trail continues to Mine Road, another abandoned road that makes it's way up part of Mount Olive.
We then turn left on the co-aligned Highlands Trail and Patriot's Path over a knoll of the mountain, then descend to the edge of the Musconetcong River in a beautiful wooded section. The trail leads into Stephens State Park. It is in Stephens State Park, at Waterloo Valley Road that we reach the western terminus of the Patriot's Path.
Here, the 911 Trail follows the Highlands Trail to the Morris Canal Greenway, which remained co aligned for a while.
The two trails combine and we have a very interesting walk on portions of the canal, well kept as a trail in this section. We'll continue on it to the former Saxton Falls guard lock
The canal was one with the river above here, and there is a beautiful section along the waterfront.
The combined trails follow the towpath for a bit, then head away when the towpath has been purged out. We'll pass the historic lock tender's house from former Lock #4W.
The trail continues just beyond the lock tender's house pretty well on to Waterloo Village with only a couple of interruptions.
We will make our way into the village to finish the hike where the trail route leaves the Morris Canal, and continues on the Highlands Trail over Allamuchy Mountain.
The full distance is about 16.5 miles.
The Patriot's Path section, save for the recent reroutes, can be followed using this excerpt from our Metrotrails guide to it:WESTERN TERMINUS
0.00 Patriot's Path begins on the corner of Willow Grove Street and Waterloo Valley Road in Warren County. At this point, the teal diamond blazed Highlands Trail is co-aligned. Highlands Trail continues from this point along Willow Grove Street, which soon changes names to Waterloo Road to the right, then turns to follow the old Morris Canal towpath. The eastbound Patriot's Path follows Waterloo Valley Road across the Musconetcong River on a bridge.
0.06 -Turn right into Stephens State Park on a park access road. This section of the park is actively used as a picnic area.
0.18 PARKING area. Lat Long
The trail continues to descend to the Musconetcong River.
0.27 -An island to the right is used as a picnic area, accessible via a foot bridge.
0.36 Intersection with another crushed stone trail coming from the pavilion from the left. Ahead, the Highlands Trail turns off to the left to follow a more rugged foot path rather than the wider path followed by the Patriots Path.
0.60 -Reach the main parking area for Stephens State Park. Restrooms off to the left. Patriots Path continues ahead on paved access road. Yellow blazed trail departs to the left and follows the abandoned former Stephens Park Road.
0.65 At old Stephens Park Road, both Patriot's Path and Highlands Trail turn right to follow a park access lane.
0.80 Reach a PARKING area. Lat Long
Reach the end of the pavement; the trail enters woods on a wide pathway.
0.98 At a picnic area, the trail changes from being wide to simply a narrow foot path along the Musconetcong River. It crosses a few small tributaries.
1.37 The trail turns away from Musconetcong River, and begins gradual climb up Mount Olive.
1.84 Pass an abandoned light blue car on the right. It probably got to this point from an old roadway connecting from the left, which connects with the trail, also an old woods road at this point. The trail soon switches back to the left and becomes a foot path.
After more switchbacks, the trail reaches the berm of what may have once been a mine exploration, or a charcoal hearth used by colliers. It then begins to descend a bit.
2.15 Reach abandoned Mine Road. The Highlands Trail used to cross directly, but the property ahead was closed after 9-11. Patriots Path turns right on the abandoned but paved road and begins to descend. There is a dramatic drop to a gorge below. There are a couple waterfalls in it for those willing to make the climb down. The Highlands Trail turns left here and follows abandoned Mine Road up hill to Mt. Olive. It will re-join the Patriot's Path at the corner of Spring Road, Reservoir Road, and Mission Road later on.
2.38 Reach the intersection with Powhatatan Way on the right. The trail follows Mine Hill Road, open to motor vehicles, through the neighborhood ahead.
2.56 Intersection with Indian Lane on the right
2.72 Intersection with Nicholas Road on the right
2.75 Reach the intersection with Drakestown Road. Continue straight on Drakestown Road; watch for traffic. Horses are often in fields to the left.
2.88 Pass Jenny's Lane on the right
3.03 Pass River Road on the right. This road used to lead to the Seber Dam, removed in 2009, part of an effort to remove dams on the Musconetcong.
3.10 Pass old Reservoir Road on the left. Drakestown Road continues right, and the trail continues ahead on East Avenue. Reservoir Road once continued directly on across Rt 46 to the intersection of Mission Road and Spring Lane, also part of the Patriot's Path and Highlands Trail, but it was abandoned years ago. Now the abandoned roadway can be followed to the new Target shopping center where supplies can be purchased. Although the trail is marked along East Avenue ahead, a good alternative is to turn left here to to pick up drinks, then continue across Rt 46 at the crosswalk in front of Target, and directly across to Heathstone Road. This route is also significantly safer than the highway. For the purposes of our guide, follow old Reservoir Road into the woods to the left.
3.25 The old road crosses a small brook on a deteriorating concrete bridge. The guide rails on the north side are beginning to fall off. With a little bit of work, this would be a perfect trail bridge. The old road opens up into the Target parking lot. Continue on the right side of the parking lot toward the entrance road.
3.25 Reach the exit of the Target mall area. A sidewalk is along the east side of the exit. Follow this out to Rt 46.
3.48 After crossing the brook again on the access road bridge, reach the crosswalk over Rt 46. Cross here carefully and continue straight along Hearthstone Road.
3.64 Peach Tree Road intersects on the right and leads into a development. There is an abandoned road to the left that has another bridge over a tributary that would make a good trail route, but the official route will continue ahead. Note that there are currently no Patriot's Path blazes on this section pending approval from the homeowner's association.
3.68 The trail turns left on Heron Drive and makes it's way gradually up hill on the sidewalk.
3.93 The trail turns right on Candour Court and continues gradually up hill through a residential area.
4.03 Pegasus Place is on the left. Turn left here and follow the sidewalk.
4.18 Reach the cul de sac at the end of Pegasus Place. Turn right on a sidewalk behind houses. Patriot's Path enters the woods here a short distance on the left. the sidewalk continues ahead past the other cul de sac and continues to a nice overlook of Hackettstown, with the dome of Centenary College in view. The trail begins to climb in the woods. It is not always easy to see the blazes, as they are somewhat spuratic and there are open areas of woods all around that might look like the trail. The trail ascends and crosses a large, eroded ditch on an angle, then continues through woods. Just before reservoir road, there is a clearing to the right that looks like the trail, but is not. It also leads to Reservoir Road.
4.57 The trail reaches Reservoir Road and turns right along a wide grassy shoulder.
4.70 Pass a road called Setting Sun on the right. This development was built in the early 2000s.
4.79 Cross the intersection with Shadow Hill Way on the right.
4.83 Reach the three way intersection of Mission Road, Reservoir Road, and Spring Lane. Patriots Path and Highlands Trail together enter the woods parallel with a new development, skirting an old stone row. To the left of the trail is the former route of Mission Road, which was once a through route. A girl scout troop was responsible for the construction of this section. Watch your step walking over the sometimes loose rock behind homes.
5.04 Pass a long abandoned swimming pool on the left, after a large deck above the trail on the right (on private land). Beyond here, the trail will follow on or very close to the former right of way of Mission Road, though it is unrecognizable. Briars abound in this area.
5.18 Reach the end of the development and continue following a pleasant little creek down hill.
5.30 Pass a beautiful old lime kiln on the left. Cross a small wooden foot bridge just beyond.
5.32 Reach a power line. Cross as abandoned Mission Road begins to look like a road. The trail then turns left, up hill, in a long series of switchbakcs. Please stay on the trail, as the switchbacks are intended to help prevent erosion.
6.45 Reach the top of the ascent and turn slightly right.
6.49 The trail levels off as it begins to follow an old berm, possibly for a retention pond that has overgrown, or a former farm pond of yesteryear. The trail turns right away from the berm and descends slightly. Continue through woods.
6.66 An unmarked side path to the left leads onto private property. Please do not trespass. Other side trails in the area, marked with different colored flagging, once led into the Heath Village property and their trails. Please remain on Patriot's Path and Highlands Trail.
6.92 Emerge at the end of a cul de sac known as Sparrow Lane. Continue along the sidwalk straight ahead..
7.05 Turn left onto Winay Terrace heading up hill.
7.17 Turn right onto Quail Run.
7.22 Turn left off of Quail Run and onto a power line right of way. A dead end spur of Patriot's Path once followed the power line north to a seasonal overlook of Hackettstown. Following the power line will lead to Cataract Park and the Heath Village trails. The Heath Village Trails are private and should not be entered. An informal trail marked with can lids leads to the left from the power line to Cataract Park. A formalized trail connection is being sought.
Continue along Patriot's Path following the power line. This section can sometimes be very overgrown. Soon, it opens up and the trail literally passes through the cut grass of people's back yards. Please respect their privacy and continue ahead beneath the power lines.
7.53 Cross Hunter Drive after the trail crosses through mowed yards under the power line. Stay on the trail and respect private property.
7.60 After a short distance along the power line, turn right into a swath of woods and meadows. The trail can become quite overgrown in this section, but was cleared following Super Storm Sandy very well by a scout troop. Watch closely for blazes. Adjacent land owners often dump their lawn trimmings and debris on this section of trail. It becomes clearer after passing through a large stone row.
7.82 Reach the northwest corner of the ball fields at Flocktown-Kossman School. Follow the right side of the fields.
7.96 Reach Flocktown Road and cross. Highlands Trail turns left on Flocktown Road. The Patriot's Path follows along the edge of yards and into a narrow swath of woods between Falcon and Partridge Lanes. WATCH CLOSELY FOR BLAZES. This section is constantly littered with lawn trimmings and branches. It zig zags a bit within close proximity to back yards and may have down trees. At one point, it passes through a seasonally wet area with plants growing thick in excess of eight feet tall. When in doubt, remain in the narrow swath of trees between the private homes. There somewhat a clearing after the last house, then the trail enters woods and can be followed with a bit more ease.
An alternative to this route is to follow the teal diamond Highlands Trail blazes left on Flocktown Road, then right on Partridge Lane. At the cul de sac, pass between evergreen trees to reach the Harrington Park parking lot and access road, then turn left to continue on Patriot's Path.
8.23 Reach Harrington Park and turn left on a paved path. Blazes may be spuratic, but the correct route is keeping to the left along the Harrington Field path, then along the access road.
8.33 Reach a wooden gate at Harrington Park's parking area. Go around the fence to the left, then follow the access road ahead. The Highlands Trail blazes come in from Partridge Run on the left.
8.55 Reach Rock Road. Across, note the Patriot's Path post. Now entering Schooleys Mountain Park. Enter the woods on the trail, and pass through nice young woods. The trail crosses a small bridge over a leg of the Electric Brook, then over wet areas on a series of simple puncheons. Continue to near the confluence of the two branches of Electric Brook, crossing several little boardwalks and begin following the creek down stream.
9.00 The trail crosses a woods road. To the right, it crosses the Electric Brook and reaches utility right of way that can be followed left to Springtown Road, and to the left it leads into a field, which if followed north leads to an access point off of Cherry Street and a cul de sac in a development.
9.30 The two trails cross over the branch of the Electric Brook at a faint sewer right of way crossing. The foot bridge here is often washed out during floods. To the right of the trail may be an easier way to cross. A branch of the Patriot's Path was planned to follow the utility line in the opposite direction, and part of it was cleared to a dead end just northeast of Naughright Road, but was never completed and is now gone.
After crossing the stream, the trail turns left and soon crosses more wet areas beside Electric Brook on puncheons which may also be washed out of place.
9.50 The trails emerge at a small parking area off of Springtown Road beside a kiosk sign with maps inside. Turn left out of the parking lot and cross the Electric Brook on the Springtown Road Bridge, then carefully cross Springtown Road next to a small utility building. Highlands Trail and Patriot's Path skirt the right side of fields here, immediately opening up to the right where a small pond can be seen. Continue to skirt the right side of the fields.
9.65 Pass through a line of trees, with a pond barely visible off to the left, then continue along the right side of another open field. Continue along the field to another line of trees, pass through and emerge at a large parking lot.
9.90 At the parking lot, turn right to reach access roads. The one to the right leads down to Lake George and a lovely floating bridge. Our trails continue ahead on a paved access road leading slightly up hill. Pass near to another parking lot on the left, and to the right of a pavilion on the hillsides, which the county rents for events.
10.30 With pavilion and restrooms to the left, the trails enter the woods on a wide gravel path. Take the left of the two paths directly into the woods, making sure to follow white Patriot's Path blazes and teal HT diamonds. Paths to the right lead down to Lake George. After 0.05 mile, Grand Loop Trail continues ahead on the wide crushed stone path, and the Patriot's Path and Highlands Trail bear right. Another unmarked side trail soon leads to the right once more, and the joint trails continue southeast heading generally down hill.
10.75 To the right, the blue blazed Falling Waters Trail descends into Boulder Gorge, with two lovely waterfalls on the Electric Brook. Just ahead, the wider trail, known from here as Quarry Stone Path continues with yellow blazes to the Grand Loop Trail. Highlands Trail and Patriot's Path turn right at a fork just ahead.
10.80 The trails reach a rock outcrop, formerly a quarry wall, from which there are lovely views of Long Valley to the south. Highlands Trail passes through this town just ahead. It was originally Dutch Valley, then for many years German Valley. It was changed due to the anti German sentiment during World War II. The trail continues down hill from here. Huge cut stones are visible below the view point. The trails continue to descend, and cross an old washed out logging road on the way down.
11.40 Reach Fairview Ave. To the left, Bee Line Trail heads up hill through the east side of the park. Continue across the road and through a parking lot for the Gillette Trail, part of the Patriot's Path system. The trails follow a mowed path through a meadow from here, currently from the east side of the parking lot.
11.50 The trails intersect with the Columbia Trail,The Patriot's Path and Liberty-Water Gap Trail turn left here, while the Highlands and Gillette Trails turn right following the railroad bed west.
If there are any further questions, feel free to contact me at 908 343 8374
Rain or shine.