March 14, 2021 – Hardwick Township, NJ
Problem: Reasonable
Size: Roughly 4.5 miles
Max elevation: 1,560 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 528 ft.
Route sort: Out and again
Map: Delaware Water Hole & Kittatinny Trails Map – 2021
Trailhead parking: Appalachian Path, Millbrook Street, Hardwick Township, NJ 07825
Overview:
The Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space, spanning Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is a novel unit of the nationwide park system. It takes its title from the long-lasting geological characteristic at its southern finish, Delaware Water Hole. The Delaware Water Hole encompasses practically 70,000 acres of breathtaking surroundings alongside 40 miles of the Delaware River, which winds by way of the Appalachian Mountains. The park options waterfalls and lots of out of doors actions, together with canoeing, mountain climbing, tenting, swimming, biking, cross-country snowboarding, fishing and extra.
Essentially the most outstanding geographical options of Northern New Jersey are the Kittatinny Mountains, and its foothills within the NJ Highlands. Recognized to the Lenni Lenape as Kittatinny, or “limitless mountain,” the Ridge offers a bounty of leisure alternatives. Catfish Mountain is a peak of the Kittatinny Mountains in Warren County, NJ. The mountain stands at an elevation 1,560 ft. It lies alongside the Appalachian Path within the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space. The Kittatinny Valley (additionally known as the Limestone Valley) lies virtually on to the east of the path, whereas the Delaware Water Hole lies to its west.
On the summit of Catfish Mountain is the Catfish Hearth Tower. The Appalachian Path runs proper alongside it and makes for an excellent focal point for hikers passing by way of. On a transparent day, you may see the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Poconos to the west. The Tower, also called Catfish Station was constructed in 1922, changing a picket tower. In 1993 the 7×7-foot cab was rebuilt on this 60’ Aermotor LS-40 tower.
Catfish Hearth Tower
Historical past:
Although put aside as an space for out of doors recreation, the land of this park is wealthy in historical past.
The park encompasses important Native American archeological websites, a number of of which have been investigated.
Numerous constructions additionally stay from early Dutch settlement and the colonial contact interval. Your entire area was a frontier of the French & Indian Struggle. Historic rural villages from the 18th and nineteenth centuries stay intact on the New Jersey aspect, and landscapes of previous settlements are scattered all through the park.
Within the nineteenth century, the village of Delaware Water Hole was a spotlight of the early resort trade fostered by the railroads. Even right now the area is understood for its trip attraction.
In 1960 the Military Corps of Engineers set upon a mission to construct a dam at Tocks Island, simply north of the Water Hole. This dam would management water ranges for hydroelectric energy era and create a 37 mile lake to be used as a reservoir. A smaller surrounding recreation space, to make a extra “price efficient” dam, could be administered by the Nationwide Park Service.
Tens of tens of millions of {dollars} have been appropriated and work started to organize the realm for flooding. Three to 5 thousand dwellings have been demolished. Some fifteen thousand folks have been displaced, lots of whom represented 300 years and 13 generations of historical past and tradition within the Higher Delaware Valley. A serene area of farms, hamlets and villages alongside a free flowing river was systematically dismantled as a part of a plan that was finally shelved. There was passionate opposition from many corners to the federal government’s agenda. A few of the extra seen historic properties have been quickly spared solely to be destroyed by squatters and arsonists. For 18 years the valley was the positioning of a weird free-for-all with an unpredictable final result.
Lastly, in 1978 the venture was deemed economically & environmentally unsound, and the federal government, as a substitute of promoting again the remaining 83 properties to unique homeowners, transferred the properties to the Nationwide Park Service. The Delaware River was positioned underneath the safety of the Scenic Rivers Act.
Trails Overview:
The Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space has greater than 100 miles of mountain climbing trails alongside streams, ridges, and mountaintops. The paths are of various issue and any variety of loop hikes may be achieved utilizing connecting trails.
The Appalachian Nationwide Scenic Path (AT) extends alongside the backbone of the Appalachian Mountains from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. Of the two,174 miles of path, 28 miles are inside the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space. Whether or not mountain climbing for a few hours, for the day, or for the complete size of the path, the AT offers alternatives for majestic views, wildlife sightings, and mountain climbing challenges.
Appalachian Path – Delaware Water Hole
Hike Overview:
This hike begins the place the white-blazed Appalachian Path (AT) crosses Millbrook Street and heads south. Right here, a gravel street, blocked by a gate (marked “Hearth Street – Do Not Block”), goes off to the left (if coming from the south). Restricted parking is offered on the trailhead, but when no areas can be found, proceed north for an additional 500 ft to a second parking space on the precise aspect of the street the place the AT leaves the street.
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Street
This hike is a simple out and again, completely on the Appalachian Path (AT). The path is nicely marked and simple to comply with. The hike begins at Millbrook Street, travels south alongside the AT, previous the Catfish Hearth Tower and alongside the Kittatinny Ridge with a number of good view factors alongside the way in which. The flip round spot is simply previous the junction with the Rattlesnake Swamp Path.
Catfish Hearth Tower – Delaware Water Hole
The climb to achieve the Kittatinny Ridge would be the most strenuous a part of the hike, and it’s not that troublesome and brief lived. As soon as on the ridge, you’ll be rewarded with a number of scenic viewpoints together with the Catfish Hearth Tower which is a well-liked spot to cease and revel in a picnic. From the hearth tower, the remainder of the way in which alongside the ridge consists of some minor ups and downs, so one can benefit from the scenic ridge stroll with out working too onerous.
elevation profile – Catfish Hearth Tower – Delaware Water Hole
Please word: This hike may be completed as a loop by returning on the Rattlesnake Swamp Path. Take into account that the Rattlesnake Swamp Path has quite a few small stream crossings and the Rattlesnake Swamp could make this path very moist. After the latest thaw and runoff, and chatting with a number of hikers that described the path as extraordinarily moist and mucky, we determined to skip this path and retrace our steps alongside the AT.
This part of the AT is extraordinarily rocky all through. A very good pair of mountain climbing boots is completely really useful.
The Hike:
Upon arriving on the trailhead, all of the parking spots have been taken. We drove about one other 500 ft the place the AT leaves the street and reenters the woods heading northbound. There’s a small parking space there and that’s the place we started the hike. Leaving the parking space, we turned left and adopted the white blazes alongside the street. In about 500 ft, the AT crosses the street on the different parking space by the hearth street.
Millbrook Street, westbound parking space
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Street
From the gate, proceed forward on the gravel street, marked with the white blazes of the Appalachian Path (A.T.). In a couple of quarter of a mile, the street curves sharply proper and enters a rhododendron grove. A brief distance past, the white blazes of the A.T. depart to the left
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Street
Appalachian Path – southbound
Appalachian Path – southbound
Appalachian Path – southbound
In about 0.4 mile from the gate, the AT turns left, leaving the hearth street and begins climbing on a footpath. The hearth street continues forward and connects to the Rattlesnake Swamp Path. The hearth street may also be used as an alternative choice to the AT to achieve the hearth tower.
flip left on Appalachian Path, leaving the hearth street
The AT now begins a gradual ascent of Catfish Mountain on a rocky footpath bordered by Rhododendrons.
Appalachian Path – Catfish Mountain
Appalachian Path – Catfish Mountain
Appalachian Path – Catfish Mountain
At roughly 0.6 mile, the AT turns left to rejoin the gravel fireplace street after which turns proper 300 ft. later to reenter the woods on a footpath.
Appalachian Path – Catfish Mountain
Appalachian Path turns proper, leaving the hearth street
We opted to stay on the hearth street (left fork) which is a barely longer route, however was extra freed from snow than was the AT.
fireplace street – Catfish Mountain
Quickly the hearth street rejoins the AT, which is available in from the precise and climbs just a little extra to achieve the positioning of the Catfish Hearth Tower.
the hearth street rejoins the Appalachian Path
Roughly 1 mile from the gate and about 300 ft of elevation acquire, the Appalachian Path reaches Catfish Hearth Tower. A picnic desk close to the bottom of the tower makes for a great place to take a break earlier than climbing the tower.
Catfish Hearth Tower
Inbuilt 1922 to exchange a picket tower, the Catfish Hearth Tower also called Catfish Station, is without doubt one of the oldest within the state. At 60 ft tall, it isn’t the tallest fireplace tower in New Jersey. Nonetheless, at an elevation of 1,560 ft above sea stage, it’s the highest.
Catfish Hearth Tower
In 1993, the Catfish Hearth Tower’s 7×7-foot cab was rebuilt and the tower rededicated. Catfish Station continues to be an lively fireplace tower right now. It was listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations on December 15, 1997.
Catfish Hearth Tower
Hearth Towers are thought-about to be the “Sentinels of the Ridge tops” as they’re raised nicely above the bottom in order that the “lookout” within the tower can relay coordinates to firefighters as to the place they’re seeing smoke. Skilled fireplace observers workers these towers and use an instrument known as a Osborne Hearth Finder, also called an alidade, and topographical maps to triangulate the placement of doable wildfires. After pin pointing a location floor crews go in and examine to plan the suitable motion to be taken. At the least one tower in every division is staffed when fireplace hazard is average or larger and all towers are staffed through the months of March, April, Might, October and November.
Catfish Hearth Tower
Catfish Hearth Tower
The cabin was locked on our go to, however the 360° views from slightly below it are great. Beneath is a picture trying on the Appalachian Path touring south.
view southwest from Catfish Hearth Tower
A zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir and Mount Tammany.
view southwest from Catfish Hearth Tower
A zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir
zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir from Catfish Hearth Tower
A southwestern view of the Kittatinny Ridge in direction of Pennsylvania.
southwest view of the Kittatinny Ridge from Catfish Hearth Tower
The Kittatinny Ridge trying northeast the place the Appalachian Path travels north.
northeast view of the Kittatinny Ridge from Catfish Hearth Tower
A glider floating by within the early morning
In the event you had sufficient views and wish to simply do a brief 2 mile hike, you may retrace your steps and return to your automobile. In the event you want to proceed, proceed south on the AT alongside the ridge which is nicely marked and etched onto the floor of the ridge. From the hearth tower, the AT embarks on a rocky footpath that at instances may be actual ankle breaker. The completely different measurement jagged rocks, ranging in measurement, makes you need to think about the place you place your ft.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
In a couple of 1/2 mile, there’s a east-facing view of the Nice Valley. This viewpoint is denoted on the NY/NJ Path Convention map with a star ★. This makes for an additional great place to take a break if you’re so inclined.
1st viewpoint – Kittatinny Ridge
1st viewpoint – Kittatinny Ridge
1st viewpoint – Kittatinny Ridge
Persevering with south on the AT, it runs shut sufficient to the sting of the ridge that there are many restricted and a few extra expansive views over the Nice Valley to the east alongside this stretch of the path, particularly throughout leaf-off seasons.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
In about 2 miles from the gate on Millbrook Street, the Appalachian Path reaches the junction with the orange-blazed Rattlesnake Swamp Path, marked with picket posts.
AT/Rattlesnake Swamp Path junction – Kittatinny Ridge
There’s a good huge view over farms and forest within the valley under and alongside the ridge.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Higher Yards Creek Reservoir within the distance.
zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir from Appalachian Path on the Kittatinny Ridge
This marked our flip round spot, however in case you favor to proceed a bit farther there are extra views available. The AT finally descends to Camp Street then climbs again as much as the ridge.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Warning must be exercised alongside this part, particularly in moist situations, because the path comes extraordinarily near the sting with a steep drop-off to 1 aspect.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
We relaxed right here for a bit and chatted with a number of hikers that handed by.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
We then retraced our steps alongside the Appalachian Path, stopping at each viewpoint once more, in addition to the Catfish Hearth Tower. From the hearth tower we descended the identical method we got here up and returned to the trailhead on Millbrook Street, the place the hike started.
Catfish Hearth Tower
Evaluate:
An excellent hike alongside the AT on the Kittatinny Ridge within the Delaware Water Hole. The 360° fireplace tower views are excellent and the stroll alongside the ridge gives many extra. Comparatively little foot site visitors in comparison with the extra in style hikes within the space. Definitely worth the 1-1/2 hour drive from the Hudson Valley. The one draw back was that the cab of the hearth tower was locked and is just open when there’s a ranger on responsibility.
Execs:
Catfish Hearth Tower, 360° views from fireplace tower, historic Appalachian Path, scenic ridgetop with quite a few views, nicely marked path.
Cons:
Cabin in fireplace tower is locked and never accessible except there’s a ranger on responsibility.
Take a hike!
Catfish Hearth Tower – Delaware Water Hole
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