Lewis Morris was generally clear last weekend, the website has not been updated as if it's officially open, but the gates were not closed/locked.
Hartshorne's page was updated yesterday and now says all trails are open. I'm looking forward to going there next weekend when I return from my trip.
I rode the Wanaque Ridge (Orange) trail up there on Thursday and I was walking more than riding. There are trees down everywhere.
I hiked the Yellow trail Friday and there were a bunch of trees down, but not as bad as the Orange. I cleared what I could from both trails, but there are a few big trees in need of people with chainsaws.
Spent two days in Deer Park doing what I could with a handsaw; albeit a good handsaw. My guess approx 50% of the trails are rideable with little to no stopping.
Went there today. Probably a hundred trees down across trails.
The park is officially closed, with yellow tape across the trailheads, but there were plenty of hikers and a few bikers. Even though it was hard to maintain any flow, it was still nice to get out there on a warm sunny day.
No sign that any work has been done yet. Based on past performance, I'd estimate that they'll have it cleaned up by this time next year.
As far as I know, the coast is off limits to non-residents, so I haven't even gone out that way. Given the shape of the roads in the area, though, I'd say the trails (especially the rocky point loop) didn't fare well.
Anyone who is over there/has been there, feel free to chime in, though.
I've been to Allaire twice since the Hurricane. It's officially closed, but you can get in from one of the many access points on Hospital Rd. The trails are a mess with probably only 20 to 50 yards at a time before you have to get off and carry the bike over a fallen tree. Some trails are better than others and it's certainly more of an adventure than it used to be. Much potential for sticks in the spokes and everywhere else, so you have to take it easy.
Haven't been personally, but know of a few that have. It's pretty bad as well as Stephens. A lot of big downed trees.
Deer Park is 90% open. A handful of large downed trees along white and two very large ones at the Orange/Rogue intersection. You can get some decent mileage in before having to dismount for a downed tree.
Rode Wharton State Forest today - the orange trail, 19.3 miles. Trail is in near perfect condition, dry, only 3 or 4 newly downed trees along the whole length. Not the most exciting ride, but certainly long sections with no interruptions at all. Sandy must have missed this area.
I tried riding there this past Thursday. It pretty much amounted to a two hour hike a bike to cover six miles. Tons of trees down on the trails. The parking lots by the Sunrise Lake on both sides were closed. Going to give it another few weeks before I spend the gas and time to go back there.
Monmouth County seems to have rules regarding people other than park employees maintaining/cleaning (not that I think they'd mind you bringing a trash bag, but I'm pretty sure they'd stop you with a saw). Since I moved here, I haven't seen any events sanctioned by Jorba or the county for volunteer cleanup or maintenance.
Yep, the county park system does not work directly with JORBA, but they do have their own volunteer trail maintenance days, and lots of the JORBA members participate. They require you to attend a training session before you're allowed to work on the trails. I used to be active in the past, but have slacked off in recent years. I'm gonna re-up so I can pitch in when they're ready.
I went to Ringwood over the weekend (Sunday) and the Skylands Trail is in a horrible condition. There were many trees down and following the trail was virtually impossible. Unless you are familiar with the park, you can easily get lost. Many of the trees that had markers were down.
On Monday morning I went to Jungle Habitat in West Milford. Now, that was much better. We had an awesome ride and there was only one tree down.
Wayway, red dot, sitting bear, pumphouse all in good shape. Crews have been out the past two weekends. Tombstone, pines, rattlesnake, hemlock not yet cleared. You can do a good ride without much interruption at wayway at this point. Been riding at jungle. Jungle is alson good shape except lower chute, boon also needs some love. Jungle has been my go to ride since the storm. Enjoy!
The Blue trail (Rowing Center side) is all cleaned up with lots of new re-routes around some big fallen trees. The wildlife preserve side still needs a bit of work. The trail is dead center in this pic, heading away from the camera!
Warm Puppy to top of Skyline Dr has been cleared, as well as the south end of the park: schoolhouse, catsnest etc.
On Sunday several Jorba crews will start on the north end of Red above warm puppy and work up the Skylands Trail towards Shepherds Lake to clear trees and re-route around root balls.
There are also a bunch of big trees down around Webly Pond, north end of Person Ridge Rd and Old Morris Rd. Forest service may not get to them right away, so be prepared to walk around in spots on roads. Please use caution and avoid riding under or near leaners and hanging trees.
As of yesterday, woods trails are still closed according to park officials.
Today 22 awesome volunteers came out and worked 116 hours with Jorba at Ringwood State Park. Shepherds Lake to Skyline Dr is clear of fallen and up rooted trees. A few new re-routes as well. Thanks volunteers! Enjoy the trails!
Unfortunately, I have to work Sundays or I would have been more than happy to help out.
I rode at Ringwood with a friend of mine this past Saturday and we were blown away with the work that was put in to getting the trails back to rideable condition.
I rode in Allamuchy a week ago, the trails were in bad shape with huge trees down on most of the north facing slopes. It took me 3 hours to do 12 miles, which was probably half walking around blowdowns.
If anyone is riding, please take a map along with them and mark down where the trees are down and how severe it is (i.e. climb over, off trail re-route, total FUBAR). This info can then be passed along to the JORBA leads. Consider it recon.
I have been doing that with Stephens so Steve Filipponi and I can plan where to concentrate the voluteer resources.
And a thanks to all the awesome people who have been out doing work at Allamuchy, Deer Park, and Stephens.
Additionally some have been working very hard at Mahlon, thumbs up. I had the opportunity to do a massive amount of Adopt-A-Trail work there this week as well.
And a thanks to all the awesome people who have been out doing work at Allamuchy, Deer Park, and Stephens.
Additionally some have been working very hard at Mahlon, thumbs up. I had the opportunity to do a massive amount of Adopt-A-Trail work there this week as well.
And thanks to you, Steve for your MASSIVE efforts in Stephens. That goes for all the time you have spent in there, not just after Sandy.
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