Outdoor Club of South Jersey - Hiking/Camping/Backpacking

We will meet at the Batsto Visitor Center parking lot by 9:30 am Sign in then Shuttle to Evans Bridge to start our hike. 9.5 miles at a moderate pace with breaks for clothing adjustments bio and lunch. Bathrooms may be open at visitor center.

Must be OCSJ member & willing to shuttle. The shuttle is not part of the OCSJ event. We must have volunteers to take the shuttle drivers back to their cars. Please no more than 4 per Vehicle.
Each section will take place on a Friday through January and February.

Bring water a lunch or snack, hat, gloves, layer your clothing preferably not cotton, 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) Leader will have hand warmers available if needed.
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.

Check Meetup for any changes 8 am before the hike. Rain, snow, or ice may cancel.

Paul Baumhauer (609) 706 3676;
Wendell Gulick (215) 537-3393

RSV begins January 2 at 9pm

Four mile moderately paced hike through the woods with mostly paved paths. Elevation of a few hundred feet at one point, Steady rain will cancel. Leader-Tim Titus 609-923-6344
Please arrive 15 minutes early

Brisk Pace, 8-10 miles. The ongoing, every Friday night, almost all year 'round, Friday nite fitness hike, where we try to work up a sweat exploring the sand roads and trails of Brendan Byrne State Forest. Be prepared to walk at an average of 3.5 mph, with few breaks.
Bring water and wear well broken in boots, sneakers, or shoes (sneakers are adequate for dry conditions). Socks are also important foot gear; synthetics and wool being better at preventing blisters (avoid cotton socks).

Not for novice hikers. We hike in the dark, and rarely turn lights on. We maintain a brisk pace for the entire hike. There are no shortcuts or wimp-outs. Please, know your limits!

Hike is limited to paid OCSJ members. We leave on time.

Leader: Trish H. 609-440-3303, 1pmhenry@gmail.com

If you are new to my hikes you have message or email me before you can register. Priority on my hikes will be given to those who attend the hikes or who cancel their reservation at least 24 hours ahead of time.
Bunker Hill Bogs is a wildlife recreation area. The trails are wide, flat, and sandy. They are both walking and equestrian paths, where you see former cranberry bogs, a lake, and a few smaller ponds. There are side trails leading to the lake and ponds. There might be a few water crossings with some low points that flood after a sustained rain.
Bunker Hill Bogs was dedicated during the summer of 2009 after many hours of hard work by the Jackson Pathfinders.
We begin on the main ( Purple Heart) Trail and connect to blue trail out and back. We continue on the red trail and connect to green trail in a loop back to the.Tee Junction. We finish back on the main trail back to trailhead.This part of hike is 6-7 miles. We have lunch in the Parking Lot. After lunch we drive to Metedeconk Preserve.
The trails at Metedeconk Preserve are wide, flat,sometimes muddy.They contain a lot of tree roots. There are many boardwalks to walk over the floodplain and wetlands.The Preserve contains 79 acres of hardwood swamp and floodplain forest characteristics of the northern Pine Barrens. It offers scenic views of the Metedeconk River.
We begin on the Silver Stream trail and continue on the Steve Kitay trail to end. We take a spur of the Silver Stream trail to the end. We finish back on the Silver Stream loop to Trailhead. This part of hike is 3 miles. The total hike distance is 9-10 miles at 3 MPH pace if possible.
Bring water, lunch ,snacks.and something to sit on. Questions contact Al D.-- asilviod888@yahoo.com. cell day of hike only 640-208-0872.
There might be a porta-potty at Bunker Hill Bogs Wildlife Recreation Area. but no facilities at Metedeconk Preserve.
Before leaving the house check the comments section for cancellations. If the hike is cancelled ,it will be posted by 6AM on the day of event. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for sign-ins, restrooms, boot adjustments ,safety talk, etc. I leave on time.
Kim N. will be Co-Leader.
Driving Directions to Metedeconk Preserve. From Bunker Hill Bogs Recreation Area make a right turn on Route 527 / Veterans Highway ( 1.3 miles.) Make a right turn on Butterfly Road (2.0 miles) Continue on Frank Applegate Road ( 1.1 miles) . The Metedeconk Preserve is on the right side of road. Total Drive Distance 4.5 miles.