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Outdoor Club of South Jersey - Hiking/Camping/Backpacking

4.9•20372 ratings

Mount Laurel, NJ, US

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About us

Welcome to the Outdoor Club of South Jersey’s Hiking/Backpacking
More information: becky.ocsjhike@gmail.com

The OCSJ is a dues-paying club that uses Meetup to schedule all activities. You must be a paid member to join the hiking group and RSVP to hiking events. Visit ocsj.org for more information about our club and how to become a member.

Membership in the OCSJ allows you unlimited free access to the hundreds of activities we offer in hiking, biking, trail maintenance, backpacking, paddling, and cross-country skiing.

Please visit our other Meetup groups to see what they offer. These are included with your paid membership, although you must join each group individually:

Biking:
https://www.meetup.com/Outdoor-Club-of-South-Jersey/

Kayaking/XC Skiing:
https://www.meetup.com/Outdoor-Club-of-South-Jersey-Canoeing/

Becky Strickland, OCSJ Hiking Chair
becky.ocsjhike@gmail.com

Upcoming events

95

4 seats left
Glenroy Preserve
Wed, May 27 · 9:30 AM EDT
Glenroy Preserve parking lot, 10 West Christine Rd., Chester County, PA, US
This will be an easy hike of just under 8 miles at a brisk to moderate pace varied by terrain. We start at the Glenroy Preserve parking lot, where there is a porta-potty, and go across the road to the Lower Octoraro Loop Trail with a stream crossing. There we take the loop along the Octoraro Creek with the only significant climb of the day. The top of the climb has a nice view of the surrounding farm lands. After that it's back down to the parking lot.

Our second exit from the lot has us on the Upper Octoraro Loop Trail also along the creek. This section will be a combination of woods and open fields with a brief out and back to see a pond. Along the way we'll pass through a bamboo forest, around wildflower fields (hopefully they are blooming), and more nice views of the surrounding farmland finishing back at the parking lot.

This is a very open hike so bring sunscreen. No lunch but if we want there is a good bar/grill just across the MD border kind of on the way back to 95. Bring lots of water, a snack if you want, rain gear, and poles if you use them although it is not a particularly challenging trail (just very pretty). If you need to contact me, my cell is 609-471-4119.
8 attendees
Wednesday 9:30am hike Thompson Park
Wed, May 27 · 9:30 AM EDT
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ, US
THOMPSON PARK
Let's do about 6 miles in Thompson Park!- mostly in the shade! - at a moderate-to-brisk pace - finishing in approx. 2 hours. This park is one of the prettiest in our area. Trails range from single track dirt to wider side-by-side. Plenty of water views of the Swimming River Reservoir , many wooded areas and open fields. A great place to view wildlife and wild flowers. The park is flat to rolling, with a few areas of short ups and downs, uneven terrain and tree roots. Hiking boots/shoes are suggested. Poles if you think you'll need them.
Things to bring: Plenty of water, insect protection, sun protection. We will meet in the parking area near the Mansion (with restrooms), in the first parking lot on the Right - off of the Main Entrance from Newman Springs Rd (Rt 520).
Please arrive a few minutes early, to gear up, use restroom, meet others, hear safety talk.
I'll be next to my White Subaru Crosstrek, with black roof and kayak rack.
15 attendees
Backpacking in the Pines
Wed, May 27 · 10:30 AM EDT
Batsto Visitors Center Parking L.ot, 31 Batsto Road, New Jersey, NJ, US
This backpack trip through Wharton State Forest from Batsto to Mullica Camp combines a beginner out-and-back trip totaling 9 miles (4.5 miles each day) and an intermediate loop trip totaling 13 miles (8.5 miles Day One and 4.5 miles Day Two). The two groups will rendezvous at Mullica Camp for our overnight stay at the river, and hike together back to our cars the next morning.

You must provide your own gear and food (lunch, dinner, breakfast & snacks). Potable water is not available; you must filter water from the river or carry a two-day supply for drinking and cooking. There are no picnic tables; be prepared to cook, eat and sit on the ground or to carry in an ultralight seat. There is a privy at camp.

The intermediate group will leave Batsto at 11:00 am and hike at a 2.5-3 mph pace. The beginner group will depart at 12:30 pm and walk a slower 1.5 to 2 mph. Please arrive early to sign in and adjust your pack. The trail is flat but sandy in places and often very sunny.

First time backpackers welcome with the beginner group. Consider your hiking ability; backpacking distance is usually half the distance you normally hike comfortably. Just let the leaders know in advance that you are inexperienced.

Leaders:
Intermediate: Ed Davenport edavenpo@yahoo.com
Beginner: Ro Mason romason@comcast.net and Diane Mason masondi@comcast.net

Photo Credit: southjerseytrails.com
10 attendees
Casual Low and Slow at Bass River Moutain Laurel hunt (Yellow and Nature)
Fri, May 29 · 9:30 AM EDT
Bass River State Park, 762 Stage Road, Tuckerton, NJ, US
I’m scheduling my wildflower hikes based on typical blooming times and previous years experience. However, I have no idea how this ast winter's weather might affect when the wildflowers will bloom this spring. We are looking for mountain laurel and sheeps laurel.

The Yellow Trail aka Poppy Allen Trail at Bass River is a wide, 3+ mile trail through upland forest with leaf and pine needle coverage. A portion is also on a smooth gravel/sand road. The Nature Trail is a short 1 mile Trail that goes through a beautiful mountain laurel grove and over a boardwalk/bridge through a white cedar swamp. It is likely I will walk Joe’s Trail afterward for an additional 2 miles.

Hike leader: Dawn Tepper
Anticipated Distance: +/- 4 miles plus opportunity for another +/- 2 miles
Expected Speed (Casual does not always mean slow): 25 -30 minutes per mile
Number of planned breaks: As left leg deems necessaty, approximately every 1.5 miles.
Bathrooms: one at the ranger station on your way in, and May a port-a-otty about 1 mile down the trail.

Be sure to bring plenty of water. I also recommend at least a snack for the break or lunch.

Be sure to be prepared for the weather.

Please plan to arrive ten minutes ahead of time to sign in and use the bathroom. I start the safety talk 5 minutes before and then start.

Take your preferred tick, chigger, and flying insect precautions.

If we're in the woods, hunting season is October 1st-March 31st. Highly recommend wearing bright orange somewhere during this time.

I drive a dark blue/gray Toyota Sienna minivan. I wear a skirt.

Any questions ahead of time, email theteppers@comcast.net. Problems the day of, you can text 609-742-8803.

Constant rain, heat index above 85 degrees, wind chill below 30 degrees or other nasty weather of the same ilk may cancel. If above 60 degrees and only isolated showers or mist, hike will be on but may be modified.

The nitty gritty:
- As anyone who has hiked with me in the past knows, I have Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake. MS is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently depending on which nerves are being attacked. I am blessed to still be able to walk and get out in nature. The location, types of hikes, distance, and pace that I choose are generally based on my current symptoms. Occasionally, I will need to adjust a route or take more frequent breaks. If appropriate, I may use hiking sticks or a rollator. (The rollator provides balance and a convenient seat if I need to give my leg a break.)
- On November 16, 2025 I had a relapse which was brought on mainly by stress and doing too much. I had to take it easy for a few weeks but now I’m back. I will be taking it easy even though it has gotten cool/cold.
- One of the more prominent side effects/symptoms of my MS is heat intolerance. And for me, depending on humidity levels, it can start around 80 degrees. I will be slow and taking frequent breaks.
- I have developed ataxia on my left leg associated with my MS. This is causing some knee/ankle pain since my gait is being altered and they are trying to compensate.
- My pace will vary on how I’m feeling and the makeup of the group that day. I like to look at nature, take time for photos, spot interesting things and don’t mind stopping for comfort breaks. If you want to go fast, you picked the wrong leader/hike. If I title my hike as slow and I’m going faster than ‘advertised’. Please let me know and I’ll slow down.
- Dogs: I’m neutral. Your well behaved, leashed dog is welcome to hike with me at the back of the group. It is YOUR responsibility to determine/confirm that dogs are permitted on a specific trail. If you plan to bring your dog, please note it in the comments such that people who prefer not to hike with dogs are aware.
- If a hike is titled as a family hike expect at least one of my elementary school aged children to be accompanying me. The pace will be on the slow end of moderate.
- If a hike is labeled as slow, not just casual, expect the hike to be slow not moderate.
16 attendees

Past events

7991

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Fran Horn and 65 others

Fran H. is a Super Organizer

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