ADVANCED: 2 Part Hike: Turtles and Perseid Meteors.. THE FAMOUS TURTLE HIKE!

Click link below to get tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2-part-hike-turtles-and-perseid-meteors-the-famous-turtle-hike-6th-annu-tickets-66327357913

This is the SIXTH annual turtle hike with 2 exciting parts!
NOT FOR BEGINNERS! EXPERIENCED ADVANCED HIKERS ONLY!

Part 1:

We will be hiking on the Horse Pond Mountain, Stonetown, Lake Sonoma, and Hewitt Butler Trails This hike will be classified as Moderate to Strenuous. It is the rockiest, most rugged hiking in the state of New Jersey. I am thinking 6-8 miles. With possible shortening or extension of the route.

Every year, people on this hike UNDER-ESTIMATE the heat! Please bring 3 liters water MINIMUM! Last year I sucked down 4 liters and was still parched at the end!

We will hike the morning, bring a swim suit, we will get wet at lake Sonoma and do our first search for turtles, and then later have an extended stop at the best vantage point we can check out the views! If it is really sunny, bring a tiny tote umbrella, so you don't burnt and sunscreen!!

Part 2:

This also happens to be the week that the Eastern Painter turtle eggs start to hatch. After Part 1, those who want turtles, swimming and star gazing, we will grab a quick bite to eat at the West Milford Diner, then we will visit Green Turtle Pond in Hewitt. (this will require a brief drive from the diner, down a dirt road, to the boat launch at the pond) (PART 2 HAS NO HIKING) But there are LOTS of turtles here. Bring a swimsuit, binoculars, flashlight or headlamp, and probably bug repellent.

Last year, we had the coolest conditions, we could see the stars above us, but it was cloudy with Heat-Lightning on both sides of the lake. One of our hikers was pumping Russian music across the water, and it was like swimming under the stars in Natures disco. It was a really memorable experience. We passed around a couple bottles of wine and hung out until really late at night watching the sky. (yes....bring a bottle of your favorite wine! We will pass it around!)

Baby turtles are attracted to light, they may follow the sun, the moon or a flashlight. If the moon is reflecting off the water they may just naturally go where they need to. Bring a flashlight if you plan to attend part 2.

Don't forget to print yourself a "TURTLE GUIDE" and bring it: (see link below)

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/turtles.pdf

Ideally: At the end of the day, wouldn't you like to soak it up, in a swimming hole, while looking for turtles and watching stars? I know I would! Part 2 is totally chill!

To pull off part 2, I will need an idea of how many drivers are going to be on this hike. Please let me know if you are a driver and how many you can take.

What to bring:

Trail map, 3 liters water minumum, Lunch, pack a large one, backpack, hiking boots, Camera, flashlight, binoculars, bug repellent, SUNSCREEN, a hat for the sun, swimsuit, a bottle of your favorite wine (leave in car), hand towel, or towel, a blanket to lay on for part 2 (leave in car).

Driving Directions

Take Skyline Drive to its northwestern terminus at Greenwood Lake Turnpike (County Route 511). Turn right and continue for 5.3 miles, crossing a causeway over the Monksville Reservoir and passing the historic buildings of the Long Pond Ironworks to the right. Park in a large parking area on the left (south) side of Greenwood Lake Turnpike, opposite East Shore Drive. Drivers....wait here as there is a short shuttle to the burnt meadow trailhead from here.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Bus

Take the 7:30AM or earlier New Jersey Transit #197 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City to the trailhead, at East Shore Road and Greenwood Lake Turnpike. I could not find the stop number, so let the bus driver know where you are getting off! Bus People! No worries. We will be waiting for you at the bus stop!

Click link below to get tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2-part-hike-turtles-and-perseid-meteors-the-famous-turtle-hike-6th-annu-tickets-66327357913