News & Announcements
Mendham Township Official News & Announcements.
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Free Guided Public Hikes For 2011
Release Date: February 09, 2011
The Open Space Committee is offering another series of free guided hikes for 2011.
FREE, GUIDED, PUBLIC HIKES - 2011
Following last year’s successful guided public hikes, we are offering another series of free, guided hikes this year. All hikes are free! No reservations needed.
These hikes are a joint effort of:
Mendham Borough
Mendham Township
Randolph Township
Schiff Natural Land Trust
All hikes are intended to bring you to beautiful outdoor areas, have fun, and get some easy exercise. Most hikes will also have an additional topic of interest specific to the location.
There are no “rain dates”, hikes will happen unless weather and conditions are clearly poor (sustained or heavy rain just before or during hike).
Residents are always encouraged to use and enjoy our open space areas and hike the trails on your own when convenient; the trails are easy to follow and fine for almost everybody. However, if you prefer to hike with a guide and some built-in company, these hikes are for you!
Please check www.HikeMendham.org for maps, updates, and any changes closer to each hike. You may also telephone 973-543-6004 for information.
NOTE:
Our guided hikes are open to the public and people of all ages enjoy them. Please note the following:
- Mendham’s open space trails are maintained by volunteers and kept in natural condition. Hiking trails may contain trip hazards like rocks or roots, muddy or wet areas, and in a few cases may be relatively steep for some folks. Please be considerate of everyone in your party, wear appropriate shoes, and be prepared for the weather and site conditions.
- Trails range from easy to difficult but most are accessible to hikers with a reasonable level of fitness. Please consult the www.HikeMendham.org maps in advance for the hike length and rating. At the start of every guided hike, leaders will provide a reasonable assessment of the hike difficulty. If you encounter a section that is not appropriate for you or someone in your party, you can always choose to turn back.
- Well-behaved dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash.
- Most trails are not suitable for strollers.
- Bugs or ticks may be present, so consider light-colored clothing and tick repellent. It’s always a good idea to inspect for ticks after being outdoors.
- You should bring a bottle of water, especially on hot days, and a light snack if you like.
HikeMendham! - McVickers Brook Preserve
Explore a recent addition to Mendham’s hiking network. We’ll look for budding signs of (we hope!) spring and learn about the fascinating history of the property. Meet at the new Thomas Road trailhead (at the end of Thomas Road, which runs off of Hilltop Road). Hike Leader: Tanya Sulikowski
Explore a recent addition to Mendham’s hiking network. We’ll look for budding signs of (we hope!) spring and learn about the fascinating history of the property. Meet at the new Thomas Road trailhead (at the end of Thomas Road, which runs off of Hilltop Road). Hike Leader: Tanya Sulikowski
Wednesday March 23, 2011 9:30 am - 11:30 am
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Mosle Preserve
Mosle Preserve is mostly known for it’s playing fields, but the forest hiking trail will reveal the land’s history of farming. Note: Please use the entrance at the top of Hunters Glen (Hunters Glen runs off of Roxiticus Road near the border with Peapack Gladstone). Hike Leader: Jon Wagar
Mosle Preserve is mostly known for it’s playing fields, but the forest hiking trail will reveal the land’s history of farming. Note: Please use the entrance at the top of Hunters Glen (Hunters Glen runs off of Roxiticus Road near the border with Peapack Gladstone). Hike Leader: Jon Wagar
Tuesday April 12, 2011 9:30 am - 11:30 am
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Burnett Brook - Lowland trail
Burnett Brook is a wetlands area, a lush and understandably popular hiking destination for children and adults. What are “wetlands”, and why are they so important? Find out while exploring this special place. (Entrance and parking is on Mount Paul Road, which is off “route 24”/Mendham Road opposite the Westmont Montessori School.) Hike Leaders: Ralph Rhodes and Katie Porter
Burnett Brook is a wetlands area, a lush and understandably popular hiking destination for children and adults. What are “wetlands”, and why are they so important? Find out while exploring this special place. (Entrance and parking is on Mount Paul Road, which is off “route 24”/Mendham Road opposite the Westmont Montessori School.) Hike Leaders: Ralph Rhodes and Katie Porter
Saturday May 14, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - India Brook Natural Area (Mountainside Road)
A moderately rugged trail, some rocky and some steep sections, but full of natural, geological, and local history! (Entrance and parking are on Mountainside Road at the bottom of the hill, a short distance east from Ironia Road.) Hike Leader: Janis Slutsky
A moderately rugged trail, some rocky and some steep sections, but full of natural, geological, and local history! (Entrance and parking are on Mountainside Road at the bottom of the hill, a short distance east from Ironia Road.) Hike Leader: Janis Slutsky
Monday June 6, 2011 9:30 am - 11:30 am
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Clyde Potts
The land surrounding the Clyde Potts Reservoir was preserved by the joint efforts of multiple towns, the water company, and other key partners. This compelling hike will be co-led by Randolph Township and will reveal the history of the property’s preservation, who Clyde Potts was, and why this property is such a gem of open space. Meet at the parking area on Old Brookside Road (in Randolph, a bit south of Sussex Turnpike). Hike leaders from Randolph Township.
The land surrounding the Clyde Potts Reservoir was preserved by the joint efforts of multiple towns, the water company, and other key partners. This compelling hike will be co-led by Randolph Township and will reveal the history of the property’s preservation, who Clyde Potts was, and why this property is such a gem of open space. Meet at the parking area on Old Brookside Road (in Randolph, a bit south of Sussex Turnpike). Hike leaders from Randolph Township.
Sunday July 17, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Tempe Wick
Tempe Wick was formerly part of a farm estate owned by a NJ Governor, but it has been carefully restored back to native grasslands. This easy and relaxing hike will take us past newly created habitat enhancements like ephemeral ponds for amphibians, and breeding boxes for bats, kestrels, and bluebirds. (Entrance and parking are on Tempe Wick Road opposite the end of Walsingham Road of the Drakewick neighborhood.)
Tempe Wick was formerly part of a farm estate owned by a NJ Governor, but it has been carefully restored back to native grasslands. This easy and relaxing hike will take us past newly created habitat enhancements like ephemeral ponds for amphibians, and breeding boxes for bats, kestrels, and bluebirds. (Entrance and parking are on Tempe Wick Road opposite the end of Walsingham Road of the Drakewick neighborhood.)
Saturday August 20, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Schiff Nature Preserve - Franklin Parker Trail
Another great addition to the Schiff Nature Preserve. Enjoy this newly established trail, dedicated to a leading champion of natural areas, and learn what “land stewardship” and “habitat enhancement” at Schiff are all about. Meet at the new trailhead on Pleasant Valley Road (north side of the road, roughly 0.7-mile west from Hilltop – Bernardsville Road and about 0.4-mile east of the Brookrace neighborhood entrance). The one-way hike will end where the trail connects to Patriots Path behind the Ralston Firehouse, and hikers will then be shuttled back to their vehicles at Pleasant Valley Road. Hike Leader: Tanya Sulikowski
Another great addition to the Schiff Nature Preserve. Enjoy this newly established trail, dedicated to a leading champion of natural areas, and learn what “land stewardship” and “habitat enhancement” at Schiff are all about. Meet at the new trailhead on Pleasant Valley Road (north side of the road, roughly 0.7-mile west from Hilltop – Bernardsville Road and about 0.4-mile east of the Brookrace neighborhood entrance). The one-way hike will end where the trail connects to Patriots Path behind the Ralston Firehouse, and hikers will then be shuttled back to their vehicles at Pleasant Valley Road. Hike Leader: Tanya Sulikowski
Thursday September 15, 2011 9:30 am - 11:30 am
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Dismal Harmony - Woodland Terrace
Dismal Harmony was one of the first preserved open space areas in Mendham, and it remains an outstanding destination for its dynamic environment of rushing streams and steep ravines, plus Legend Rock and other impressive historic features. (Entrance and parking on Woodland Terrace, which runs off Woodland Road immediately below the Clyde Potts Reservoir.) Hike Leader: Katie Porter and/or Ralph Rhodes
Dismal Harmony was one of the first preserved open space areas in Mendham, and it remains an outstanding destination for its dynamic environment of rushing streams and steep ravines, plus Legend Rock and other impressive historic features. (Entrance and parking on Woodland Terrace, which runs off Woodland Road immediately below the Clyde Potts Reservoir.) Hike Leader: Katie Porter and/or Ralph Rhodes
Friday October 21, 2011 9:30 am - 11:30 am
COST: FREE
COST: FREE
HikeMendham! - Buttermilk Falls – Combs Hollow Road entrance
Buttermilk Falls is one of our flagship natural areas, but it came close to being a residential development and is the “poster child” for open space. It also contains the clear remains of an iron mine, a forge, and an earthen dam from long ago. This is a popular hike, the amazing details of the industry and the miners come alive for us! Note: Hiking to the iron mine site is partially off-trail, with some uneven natural terrain to cover, okay for most but not all hikers. Meet at the small parking area on Combs Hollow Road. Hike Leader: Bierce Riley
Buttermilk Falls is one of our flagship natural areas, but it came close to being a residential development and is the “poster child” for open space. It also contains the clear remains of an iron mine, a forge, and an earthen dam from long ago. This is a popular hike, the amazing details of the industry and the miners come alive for us! Note: Hiking to the iron mine site is partially off-trail, with some uneven natural terrain to cover, okay for most but not all hikers. Meet at the small parking area on Combs Hollow Road. Hike Leader: Bierce Riley
Sunday November 6, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
COST: FREE
COST: FREE