Great Turn Out for Annual Hike
Hardyston, NJ, May 19, 2003
- Hikers participating in the 2003 Pequannock River Coalition
Spring Hike were greeted with mild temperatures and sunny
skies. Twenty four turned out for a pleasant hike through
the upper reaches of the Pequannock River near Hardyston,
New Jersey. Hikers met at the Charlottesburg Rest area and
after deciding on the final route, carpooled north to the
trailhead.
At the trailhead, Coalition
Executive Director Ross Kushner talked about ticks and how
to prevent tick bites. Repellent was provided to everyone
to protect their pants or exposed legs from the insects.
Then it was off for a four hour tour of the Pequannock Watershed.
Ross, who had done some advance scouting of the area, pointed
out interesting sites along the path. Although the area
was densely forested, there were signs of historic human
inhabitation including old stone foundations, remnants of
old roads and even overgrown household gardens.
The forest included examples
of many types of trees including stands of Bigtooth Aspens,
White Oak, Black Walnut and even a thirty to forty foot
American Chestnut tree. The American Chestnut was the primary
tree found in the Northeast until disease destroyed the
population in the early twentieth century. This tree was
a rare find along the Pequannock River as most American
Chestnuts will now only grow a few feet tall before succumbing
to the disease.
Wildflowers were also of interest,
another sign of the rebirth of the forest after an unusually
cold and snowy winter. Birds were very much in evidence
including Scarlet Tanagers and Grouse. An attempt to attract
Wild Turkeys native to the area was unsuccessful. But then,
twenty four hikers tramping through the normally quiet forest
doesn't inspire confidence in many of the timid woodland
inhabitants. No deer or bear were sighted although fresh
Whitetail Deer as well as Eastern Coyote tracks were found
in muddy areas.
A leisurely lunch followed
at an old breached millrace on Pacock Brook. Bird sightings
were frequent as hikers enjoyed their noon refreshment.
After inspecting the millrace
and a beaver dam nearby, the group crossed the stream and
continued the hike. Small creatures were found on the return
path including American Toads and Garter Snakes. Vernal
pools found along the trail provide habitats and breeding
grounds for many small amphibians.
The day was again a delightful
experience for all with many looking forward to the Pequannock
River Coalitions next outing in the watershed.
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