An unusual sight- highpoint of New Jersey |
Miles: 660
Continuing with the theme of state high pointing, I came down from the Catskills and headed out to Kittatinny Mountains of New Jersey. New Jersey isn't exactly known for mountains but up north near the Delaware River Gap, things get surprisingly rural and rugged. Its funny because this is exactly how I remember New Jersey. I spent part of my childhood in New Jersey and I always remembered it being like this. So when I had the opportunity to return and hike the high point, I'm glad that not much had changed. Sure, it was an easy high point to accomplish, but it was still as enjoyable as mountains 4 times as high.
Here's my map, taking the Appalachian Trail from the south-
Kittatinny Ridge from the Summit |
Alpine Lake below the summit |
Hiking the Appalachian Trail to the high point was actually quite interesting- there's an excellent wooden tower south of it that has no crowds save for AT hikers. It was certainly less crowded than the high point itself. I was continually surprised at the sheer relief that the mountain had from surrounding valleys and the Delaware Water Gap. New Jersey is such a pretty place and much of it is very quaint and bucolic. The smaller towns feel much like New England but with a Mid-Atlantic flavor. Again, it was just nice to be in a place that was such a huge part of my childhood.
This is the New Jersey I remember... |
I've learned that New Jersey has a fledgling peakbagging club known simply as the "New Jersey 1kers". It is similar to the 4kers up in New York and New England but obviously much lower. Seemed like a great list and club anyways. Perhaps something to aspire to?
After the peak, I actually headed over to the nearby Sunrise Peak which also has a parking lot near the top but is significantly less crowded. Unfortunately I did not get a view here- the fog rolled in. I came down from here and visited my kind-of-sort-of home town and was surprised at how much I remembered and what I didn't. It was a poignant day.
Read. Plan. Get Out There!
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