NJ Sierra Club

The Sierra Group contributing each outing is shown at the end of the write-up.
Contact Information and Notes.

Jul 4 (Sat):

Manasquan River Reservoir, Monmouth County (Special Interest: birds). 9am. Enjoy an easy 5-mile circular hike on one of the largest reservoirs in the area. We may observe water fowl. Bring snacks, drinks, bird books or binoculars. Hiking shoes are not required. This is a great family hike. Meet at the main entrance to the reservoir on Windeller Rd. Take the GSP to exit 98. Head west on I-195 to exit 28 (Rte 9.) Go north on Rte 9. Make first right onto Windeller Rd. The main entrance is 1.5 miles on your left. Meet in the parking area at the far left toward the back. Bad weather, including high heat index, cancels. Confirmation/questions please call or text Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718 or mjverange@aol.com. (JS)

Jul 4 (Sat):

Canoe/Kayak the Crosswicks Creek/Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh (Mercer Co). 11am. Celebrate July 4th with a shuttleless 8-mile summer paddle from Bordentown to John A. Roebling Park and then back to Bordentown. Bring lunch and beverage. We’ll have lunch at Watson Woods and an optional walk to Spring Lake. To confirm the trip and participation please contact Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)

July 8 (Wed):

Canoe/Kayak Cedar Creek to Lanoka Harbor (Ocean Co). 9am. Summertime and the paddlin’ is fun on Cedar Creek. We’ll paddle 7 miles from Ore Pond to Dudley Park with an option to continue 2 miles to Lanoka Harbor. Meet at Double Trouble Park, Pinewald-Keswick and Double Trouble Rds. Contact leaders to confirm trip and participation. Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Jul 10 (Fri):

Canoe/Kayak the Great Egg Harbor River (Atlantic Co). 8:30am. Enjoy a summer paddle on the “egg”! We’ll paddle 17miles from Penny Pot to Lake Lenape. Meet at the Harley Dawn Diner, Black Horse Pike; arrive early for breakfast. Boats can be rented from Palace Outfitters: www.palaceoutfitters.com or 609-625-5882. Contact leaders to confirm trip participation. Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

July 11 (Sat):

B5B - Jockey Hollow Grand Loop (Morris Co) – singles hike. 10am. We will do the Grand Loop at Jockey Hollow National Park in Morristown. See http://www.nps.gov/morr/planyourvisit/directions.htm for directions and information. Bring lots of water, a light snack, and wear hiking boots. Meet at the Visitors' Center. Heavy/steady rain cancels Optional lunch at a local eatery if we get done in time. No pets please. Leader: Jeffrey Sovelove: Hiker_Dood@Yahoo.com. Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike.

July 11 (Sat):

South Mountain Reservation Splendor. 9:30 am. Enjoy lush green forests in the heart of Essex County. We'll ramble through 4+ miles at a quick pace on both well-trodden and small creek-side paths. Hiking boots required. Bring lunch/water. Well-behaved dog OK. Rain cancels. Directions: I-78 west to exit 50B, Millburn direction, taking Vauxhall Rd. Left at 2nd Exxon, right on Wyoming just after Whole Foods Market. Proceed 2 miles to stoplight, left uphill on Rte 510 for 1.6 mi, right on Brookside Drive for 0.4 mi to Tulip Springs lot. After leaving main road, continue toward right. Leader: Jim Davoust: davou@att.net, 203-214-9305. (JS)

July 11 (Sat):

Relax on the beach at the Shepherd Lake in Ringwood State Park (Passaic County) – Singles outing. All day starting at 9:30! Shepherd Lake offers swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, vast picnic/playground area, cafeteria for fast food. In the morning, the more adventurous of us will go for an easy hike (3 miles, 300 ft. altitude gain/loss, 2 hours at slow, "smell-the-flowers," pace); hiking boots recommended but not required (use your own judgment). The rest of us may swim, play volley-ball (if one of us brings the ball and the net), boat, kayak, canoe, talk, read (bring a book), sun-bask, etc. by the lake until a noon-ish lunch in the cafeteria. (But you can opt to bring your own.) After lunch, the biking commando may go for a short (but a bit hilly), 5-6 miles loop ride. The rest of us may swim, play volley- ball , boat, kayak, canoe, talk, read, sun-bask, etc. Bring hiking garb, swim-suit, towel, bike, volley-ball and net, sun-screen, bug juice and -- most important -- cheerful attitude. Meet on the lake side of the Park Office; look for a guy in a green Sierra t-shirt. Don't be late -- when the parking lot fills up they close the gate. Children and pets (on leash) are welcome, as well as non- Sierra friends. There is an entrance fee of $10 per car for people under 62. (To car-pool from a nearby lot, contact leader.) Rain day: July 12 (Sun). VERY IMPORTANT: Because of the "beach" nature of the event it will go on only with VERY GOOD WEATHER (warm and sunny; not just "no rain"), so please check the weather forecast and -- if in doubt -- check with the leader by phone (201-444-2096) the morning (7-8:30) of the event. To register and for directions contact the leader, George Ekel: GeorgeEkel@aol.com, or by phone, by Wed, July 8.

Jul 15 (Wed):

Canoeing/Kayaking Skills Refresher at Lake Oswego (Burlington Co). 9am. Event leaders will share information about equipment, safety practices, self-rescue, paddling techniques and efficiencies. New and beginning paddlers are welcome. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Mick’s Canoe and Kayak Rental 800-281-1380 or www.mickscanoerental.com. Please contact leaders to confirm your participation: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Jul 22 (Wed):

Canoe or Kayak with your Pooch on the Oswego River (Burlington Co). 9am. Fortunato invites his doggie cousins to bring their owners on the “Jewel of the Pinelands”. This is a 7-mile trip. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Mick’s Canoe and Kayak Rental: 800-281-1380 or www.mickscanoerental.com. Please contact leaders to confirm trip participation and meeting logistics: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Jul 29 (Wed):

Canoe/Kayak the Delaware River (Mercer/Hunterdon Cos). 9am. Paddle 15 miles from Frenchtown to Lambertville. We’ll stop for lunch at the famous Hot Dog Man’s river “restaurant” for paddlers. Kayaks must be over 12 ft; spray skirts and helmets recommended. Rental boats are not available. To confirm the trip, meeting location and participation please contact Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)

Aug 2 (Sun):

Canoe/Kayak on the Crosswicks Creek/Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh (Mercer Co). 10:30 am. Native Americans thrived on these lands more than 10,000 years ago. See where Joseph Bonaparte’s Bordentown estate, Point Breeze, was located on the bluffs above the Crosswicks. This is a shuttle-less 8-mile round trip to John A. Roebling Park for our lunch break; optional walk to Spring Lake after lunch. Bring lunch and beverage. To confirm the trip and participation please contact leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)

Aug 8 (Sat):

C5C Patriots Path Stroll (Morris Co) – Singles hike. 10am. Come take an easy stroll on Patriots Path in Morristown. This 3-5-mile stroll will start out from the Speedwell Lake parking lot, across the street from Historic Speedwell. See the Morris County Parks website (http://www.morrisparks.org/ ) for directions, or put the following address into your preferred map engine: 300 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown NJ 07960. The path is wide, partly paved, partly crushed stabilized gravel, with very little in the way of elevation change. We will be strolling at a very moderate pace. Please bring plenty of water and a light snack. Great for beginners. Heavy/steady rain cancels. Optional lunch afterwards. No pets please. Leader: Jeffrey Sovelove: Hiker_Dood@Yahoo.com. Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike.

Aug 9 (Sun):

RiverLINE Ramble - Historic Burlington City and Riverside (Burlington Co). Midday travel on RiverLINE to the Burlington City Tourism Office for a 1-½ hour walking tour, which includes the Friends Meeting House. Then ride to Riverside for late lunch at historic Madison Pub (bar, not restaurant) and a look at the Pennsylvania Watch Building. Return via RiverLINE. Costs: Train is $1.35 per two hour period, fee for walking tour is $8. Heavy rain cancels. Group size limited. For details and reservations contact leader: Don Carlo: 609-586- 4357 or doncarlo2@verizon.net. Co-leader: Terry Stimpfel: 609-731-7016 or terystimb@hotmail.com. (C)

Aug 9 (Sun):

Harteshorne Woods (Monmouth County) (Special interest: recent history). 9am. Moderate 6-mile hike with elevation gains and a lot of scenery. Please bring drinks and snacks. Hiking shoes are suggested. Meet at the Rock Point parking area. Take GSP to exit 117. Take Rte 36 toward Sandy Hook to Portland Road (last street on the right before the Sandy Hook bridge). Take Portland Rd to the top of the hill. Rock Pt Parking is on the left. Bad Weather (including high heat index) Cancels. Confirmation/questions please call or text leader: Mike Verange: 908-902-0718 or mjverange@aol.com. (JS).

Aug 12 (Wed):

Meteor Watch, Short Hike and Picnic at Pole Farm (Mercer Co). Join us for a short evening hike at Mercer County Park NW (Pole Farm) in Lawrence Township. Bring a picnic supper and something to recline on. Park has no support facilities. Stay after dark to observe the Perseid meteor shower with folks from the Mercer Co Park Commission and Lawrence Nature Center. Cloudy weather cancels. For details visit the Central Group homepage http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/Central/ and follow link to the Central online calendar. Leader: Terry: 609-731-7016 or terystimb@hotmail.com. (C)

Aug 15 (Sat):

Meteor Shower Hike, Wharton State Forest (Atlantic Co). 7:30 pm. 6 miles at moderate pace. We will do a short hike on sandy roads and return to watch the Perseid meteor shower, a solar system spectacular. Bring snack-type food to share at our tailgate social after the hike, and a chair or blanket to sit on. NP/NC. Meet in open field next to Atsion Office on Rte 206, 10 miles south of Red Lion Circle (Rtes 70 & 206), or 5 miles north of Hammonton. Leader: Paul Serdiuk: 609-462-3593 (evenings only) or pis1@cccnj.net.

Aug 15 (Sat):

Relax on the beach at Shepherd Lake in Ringwood State Park (Passaic County). Singles outing. 9:30 am onwards. Shepherd Lake offers swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, vast picnic/playground area, cafeteria for fast food. In the morning, the more adventurous of us will go for an easy hike (3 miles, 300 ft. altitude gain/loss, 2 hours at slow ("smell-the-flowers") pace); hiking boots recommended. The rest of us may swim, play volley-ball (if one of us brings the ball and the net), boat, kayak, canoe, talk, read (bring a book), sun-bask, etc. by the lake until a cafeteria lunch between noon and 1pm. (Or bring your own food.) Then a hilly 5-6-mile bike ride, or swimming, volley-ball , boating, kayaking, canoeing, talk, reading, sun-basking, etc. Bring recreational paraphernalia, sun-screen, bug juice and -- most importantly -- cheerful attitude. Meet on the lake side of the Park Office; look for a guy in a green Sierra t-shirt. Don't be late -- when the parking lot fills up they close the gate. Children and pets (on leash) as well as your non-Sierra friends welcome. There is an entrance fee of $10 per car for people under 62. (The youngsters of us may want to car pool from a nearby lot; let me know if you're interested.) Rain day: August 16 (Sun). VERY IMPORTANT: Because of the "beach" nature of the event it will go on only with VERY GOOD WEATHER (warm and sunny; not just "no rain"), so please check the weather forecast and -- if in doubt -- check with the leader by phone (201-444-2096) the morning (7-8:30) of the event. To register (by Aug 12) and for directions: George Ekel: GeorgeEkel@aol.com or by phone.

Aug 16 (Sun):

Minnewaska State Park (NY) bike and swim. Singles outing. Ride starts from the Upper Parking Area of Minnewaska State Park at 9:30 am. Bring lunch, at least a quart of water, and optional bathing suit. HELMET REQUIRED. The ride will traverse the carriage trails about 7-1/2 miles to the secluded beach on Lake Awosting. Outstanding scenery and views along the way. We will break for lunch at the beach and for those who choose, a swim in this crystal clear lake. After lunch the ride will climb to Castle Point followed by a 3+ mile downhill along the majestic Shawangunk cliffs back to the parking area. Carriage trails are wide, reasonably well graded, generally flat to mild rolling hills, with one or two climbs. Pace will be easy, matched to all of group; no one will be left behind (hike-a-bike allowed). Spare inner tube highly recommended. Plan to arrive by 9:15 am as the parking area fills up quickly on summer weekends; once full, no one is admitted and you are out of luck. Take NY Thruway north to exit 18. Turn left onto Rte 299 west and follow thru New Paltz. Continue on Rte 299 to end. Go right onto Rte 44/55. Follow around hairpin and up mountain. Go past West Trapps pkg area on right and also past first Minn St Pk pkg area on right. Turn left into 2nd Minn St Pk pkg area on left, and pay entrance fee approximately $10 per car. Proceed to upper pkg area where the ride will commence. Call or write for further info: Bruce Gaylen: wynbruce@aol.com or 973-696-1809. Cell phone (day of ride): 973-356-1149.

Aug 16 (Sun):

Canoe/Kayak the Delaware River (Mercer Co). 8am. Our 18-mile trip begins at Firemens Eddy, and continues past Trenton through the Trenton Falls before we enter the tidal section of the Delaware on our way to Bordentown Beach. This is a trip for experienced paddlers. Kayaks must be 12ft or over; spray skirts are recommended. Helmets are required. Rental boats are not available. For meeting logistics and to confirm your participation please contact leaders: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)

Aug 19 (Wed):

Canoe/Kayak Cedar Creek to Lanoka Harbor (Ocean Co). 9am. Enjoy a 10- mile summer paddle in the amber-colored waters of Cedar Creek. Meet at Double Trouble Park, Pinewald-Keswick and Double Trouble Rds. Please contact leaders to confirm trip and participation: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Aug 24 (Mon):

Canoe/Kayak on the Wading River (Burlington Co). 9am. We’ll paddle 10 miles from Hawkins Bridge to Beaver Branch. This is a good trip for novice paddlers. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Mick’s Canoe and Kayak Rental, 800-281-1380 or www.mickscanoerental.com. Please contact leaders to confirm trip participation and meeting logistics: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Aug 30 (Sun):

Canoe/Kayak the Mullica River (Burlington Co). 9am. The Mullica River is designated as part of New Jersey’s Wild and Scenic River System. Its watershed is the largest in the Pinelands. We paddle 12 miles from Atsion to Pleasant Mills, an all-day trip for experienced Pines paddlers. Please contact leaders to confirm trip and meeting logistics: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Sep 12 (Sat):

Canoe/Kayak Cedar Creek (Ocean Co). 9am. Join us for George’s birthday on our favorite river and eat cake too! We’ll paddle 7 miles from Ore Pond to Dudley Park. Meet at Double Trouble Park headquarters, Pinewald-Keswick and Double Trouble Rds. Please contact leaders to confirm trip and participation: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com. (W)

Sept 12 (Sat):

Farewell to summer: on the beach at Shepherd Lake in Ringwood State Park (Passaic Co). Singles outing. Shepherd Lake offers swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, vast picnic/playground area, cafeteria fast food. Note: NO (official) swimming after Labor Day (unofficially, you may try it). See the descriptions, above, for July 11 or Aug 15. No more entrance fee after Labor Day! Rain day: September 13 (Sun). To register and for directions contact the leader, George Ekel: GeorgeEkel@aol.com or 201-444-2096, by Wed, Sept 9.

Sept 13 (Sun):

Thompson Park, Lincroft (Monmouth Co). 9am. Moderate 6.5-mile hike that follows the Swimming River Reservoir. Please bring drinks and snacks. Hiking shoes are suggested. GSP Exit 109, head west on Monmouth County Rte 520 past Brookdale Community College. Thompson Park is the next left. Parking area is on the right. Bad weather, (including high heat index) cancels. Confirmation/questions: please call or text leader: Mike Verange: 908- 902-0718 or mjverange@aol.com. (JS)

Sept 14 (Mon):

Canoe/Kayak the Crosswicks Creek (Mercer Co). 9am. This is a 14-mile shuttle-less trip on the Crosswicks Creek Canoe Trail. We paddle with the tide from Bordentown to Anchor Thread Park. Bring lunch to eat in the park. Meet at Bordentown Beach. Kayaks must be over 12ft. in length. To confirm the trip and participation please contact leaders: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)

Sept 18-20 (Fri-Sun):

Assateague Island (MD/VA) Kayak Weekend. Kayak and camp at the Federal campground on Assateague Island. We will kayak the back bays and visit several islands of interest. Downtime to relax, light hiking trails, optional group dinner in town, Fiddlers Festival or Kite festival as options. Contact leader to confirm trip participation and campground information. Participants will be responsible for their own campsite reservations. Trip will only run with a minimum confirmed group. Leader: Paul Serdiuk: 609-462-3593 evenings only or pis1@cccnj.net>

Sep 20 (Sun):

Canoe or Kayak with your Pooch on the Wading River (Burlington Co). 9am. We’ll paddle 10 miles from Hawkins Bridge to Beaver Branch. This is a good trip for novice paddlers. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Mick’s Canoe and Kayak Rental: 800- 281-1380 or www.mickscanoerental.com. Please call leaders to confirm trip participation and meeting logistics: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com.

Sep 23 (Wed):

Canoe/Kayak the Great Egg Harbor River (Atlantic Co). 8:30 am. The “egg” is lovely to paddle in September. We’ll paddle 17 miles from Penny Pot to Lake Lenape. Meet at the Harley Dawn Diner, Black Horse Pike; arrive early for breakfast. Boats can be rented from Palace Outfitters: www.palaceoutfitters.com or 609-625-5882. Contact leaders to confirm trip participation: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or leona@pineypaddlers.com.

Sept 26 (Sat):

B6B - Lewis Morris Park Singles Hike (Morris Co). 10am. We will start at Sunrise Lake, then hike to the upper parking lot and back down to the lake using a combination of the Yellow and Red Trails. The pace will be a moderate one. See the Morris County Parks Commission website http://www.morrisparks.net/aspparks/lmmain.asp for directions. Bring lots of water, lunch, and wear hiking boots. Meet in Sunrise Lake parking lot. Heavy/steady rain cancels. No pets please. Leader: Jeffrey Sovelove: Hiker_Dood@Yahoo.com. Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike.

Sep 27 (Sun):

Kayak the Tidal Delaware River (Burlington Co). 8am. We’ll paddle 21+ miles with the tide from Bordentown to the Palmyra Cove Nature Park (www.palmyracove.org). This is a trip for experienced kayakers. Kayaks must be 14ft or over in length; spray skirts recommended. Please contact leaders for logistics and to confirm the trip and your participation: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com.

Sep 30 (Wed):

Canoe/Kayak the D&R Canal and the Delaware River (Mercer Co). 9am. This year marks the 175th anniversary of the D&R Canal’s opening in 1834! Find special anniversary events at www.dandrcanal.com/park_index.html. Join us for a 10-mile shuttle-less paddle to Firemens Eddy that begins on the canal at Washington Crossing State Park. We’ll then portage to the Delaware River and float downriver to Washington Crossing. Bring lunch and beverages. Rentals are not available. To confirm the trip and participation please contact leaders: George & Leona F: 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers.com. (C)