March 26, 2013 – My brother was visiting from out of state and made the suggestion that we go for a hike, I was a bit apprehensive as it was March and the weather report called for light rain and snow flurries, but the weather turned clear and sunny with the temperature at around 45 degrees F., so I started thinking where to go on a nice hike that was not too ambitious. I considered Ringwood Manor, Skylands Botanical and Wawayanda untril i remembered visiting the parking area of Apshawa Preserve located nearby just off Macopin Road in lower West Milford near Butler. Anticipating a short hike, we didn’t bring a knapsack or even a water bottle, I dressed in a few layers, light jacket with a sweatr underneath over a flannel shirt and jeans as well as my Danner hiking boots.

When we arrived at the preserve parking lot, we were the only visitors there. We found a bulletin board with Apshawa Preserve maps available and we planned a short hike following the white trail to the green trail onto the yellow trail returning on a differnet segment of the green trail back to the white trail and the parking area.
As parts of the Apshawa Preserve is fenced to prevent over browsing by deer, we entered the preserve through a gate adn started on the white trail which was an easy hike with placards and some planks through a wet area. Then we turned onto the first green trail which was a mistake as we wnated the second green trail and go south on the yellow trail, so it turned into an extended hike instead of the short loop we were planning. Omward we went across a moderate trail until we came upon a dam with water flowing over the top where the trail descended sharply and became a rocky path alongside Apshawa Brook wher we came upon some buildings and what appears to be the remains of a water tower. The path then crossed Apshawa brook easing into a path near the brook which led to a gate, we went further than we should missing the green trail’s turn to the left. The steep uphill climb on the green trail rewarded us with sceenic overlooks of the Pequannock river valley and Macopin Gorge, the trail then gradually descended toward the Butler Reservoir dam and a small metal bridge which crossed the outflow from the reservoir. We continued on the green trail until it met up with the yellow trail which returned us to the green trail section where we begun our hike. It was at this point it a gentle rain began to fall. A short hike on teh green trail returned us to teh white trail and the parking area. Although the hike was much longer than we had planned, it was enjoyable. The trail was well marked with metal tags although there was mny damaged areas due to the windstorm which resulted from hurricane sandy, many trees were down blocking sections of the trail.

This year I am making a commitment to do what I love to do which is walking around exploring the forests in Northern New Jersey. I have done quite a bit of hiking in the area, so I have a few ideas for walks. My dream hike is the Appalachian Trail but a more realistic hike would probably be the Highlands Trail near my home. I am thinking of splitting it in sections. First, I have to check my equipment; I have a good pair of Danner Men’s Danner Light Ii Outdoor Boots, I bought a brand new North Face day pack which seems more than adequate (lots of pockets!). Boots and a daypack is a start but i will need more stuff, i have an old Peak 1 single burner stove but the last time i used it, i almost caused a forest fire. It was my fault, this stove gave many years of camp lunches and dinners, but I never maintained it. So, apparently all the seals rotted away and it leaked Coleman fuel everywhere, pressurizing it was a distant memory. So i am thinking of buying its descendant, Coleman Exponent Multi-Fuel Stove