A Hike at Sourland Mountain

Saturday, March 20th was another gift - clear, calm and seasonably warm around 70 degrees. Around 11am, I strapped on my regular hiking boots for the first time this year, and drove out to the Sourland Mountain Preserve, off of East Mountain Road, in Hillsborough, NJ.


My first memory of this hike is the constant noise - spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) sang merrily from the marshy area to the left of the parking area. Canada geese (Branta canadensis) murmured quietly as they swam among the reeds.

Sourland Mountain is described as a preserve or "undisturbed natural area" according to the park website. Several multi-use trails run through a forested area on the side of what is clearly a large hill, if not a genuine mountain. Like most New Jersey parks, you can reach the farthest point in approximately one hour of hiking. I recall previous hikes were relatively free of traffic noise as the nearest highway is some distance away. Other wooded areas and some farmlands also ring the preserve.

Due to the flooding last weekend, I was anxious to see any damage the rushing waters had caused. The pond next to the parking area had clearly pushed up past its banks, resulting in a ring of extra muddy grass. The culvert which drains this pond into a nearby stream has been exposed down to the man made pipe.


However, the rest of the stream seemed to be intact.

On this particular hike I chose to amble past marker 13 on the park map to marker 11 and from there up to marker 5 and back, moving up an area keep open (unwooded) due to the gas pipeline that runs underneath the soil (yes, this is all undisturbed by New Jersey standards). This is fairly steep trail, covered in rocks of all sizes, so be sure wear adequate footwear and move at your own pace.

As you can see on the map, the contour lines are close together here, and one gains all the elevation the park has to offer while moving up the slope. On either side of the open trail, a cross section of the wooded areas of the park are visible, making it a fine walk to experience the main aspects of the area.

When there is enough water from rain or runoff, clear streams and still pools form along the slope.

Around 20 minutes of walking up the slope and I can view the March landscape from a fair amount of height.

On either side of the trail, the sun shines on the boulders and beautiful woodland the extends throughout the preserve.

At the top of the slope, the surrounding farmer's fields, green spaces and housing developments of Montgomery and Hillsborough spread out before you. Gazing down the trail, the view below faces due east.

At the apex of the upward slope, you will see a red painted concrete pipe used to keep one of the larger streams from washing down the trail. The water formed an audible roar as I approached, sparking in the sunlight.

Located near the top of the slope is a side trail which runs south of marker 5. I take a quick walk to explore a stream that was audible from the main trail despite the presence of the red culvert. The young trees and brown grasses which have graced the landscape all winter formed a picturesque scene against the clear water of the stream as I moved down the trail.

Here some new bank has been cut thanks to recent flooding.

On a bridge along this trail, I was inspired to capture the music of the stream pictured below.

To review, this 45 second video was taken to capture the movement of light on the water and the sound of the stream over the rocks. No animals make an appearance and Sasquatch is not in the background - it is simply the best capture of sound my Kodak ZC8612 camera could manage. I hope you enjoy it.

Before the weekend came to close I was able to visit the preserve one more time, at a slightly earlier hour. This time I meandered through primarily wooded trails. My companion and I were privileged to spot this highly social toad, who was kind enough to sit still while we photographed him (or her) from a few different angles.

Noting our friend was approximately 4 inches from nose to end of spine, I took a crack at identification using my National Audubon Society field guide. I feel reasonably confident that this is a Bufo americanus (American Toad). Please correct me via comment if this is not the case! I appreciate your help.

Not far from our toad encounter, I was pleased to catch this photo of an Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) as it glided by. Approximately 24 inches in length, it was moving at a fair pace amount the trees and I mainly caught the shot because I still had the camera fired up from photographing the toad.

For those of you disinclined to meet up with reptiles and amphibians, I can assure you that Sourland Mountain is not crawling with these critters. On nine out of ten hikes foot traffic from the heavily used trails drives them away from close proximity to humans or their natural camouflage hides them from view.


As always, be sure to stay away from any reptile (or any type of wildlife) you cannot identify. New Jersey has few poisonous or dangerous species, but it better to be safe and give a wide berth. Also, as a rule I attempt to disturb wildlife the least amount possible while hiking or taking photographs on the trail. As you may notice throughout these blog posts, I am a bit of an environmentalist - one individual hoping that others will join me in respecting our natural areas.


Unfortunately, this weekend has brought back the 30 degree temperatures I was hoping we had seen the last of this year. Like marker 13 at Sourland Mountain below, each milepost is both an ending and a beginning - it all depends on where you are headed.

An Extra Rainy Weekend

As you may have heard, we experienced heavy rain yet again on March 13th. The weather report began ominously forecasting 4-5 inches of rain to fall from Friday to Sunday early in the week. My coworkers at the office reported a stampede on milk and bread at the grocery store akin to those that take place before major snow storms in our area.

The rain did arrive as expected on Friday and fell heavily throughout Saturday. This was not the misty, persistent drizzle we had experienced in the past. This was big drops that splattered on impact. Heavy winds rocked the landscape, throwing the water sideways and soaking all who ventured out in it. Trees fell, shutters pulled loose from a few houses in our neighborhood and loose objects were discovered several feet from their original location after a wild Saturday night.

Sunday morning dawned gray and foreboding and thunder rumbled as more heavy rain fell. Flooding was everywhere, and residents reported that they had not seen the like for 15 years. After the final storm Sunday morning, the rain subsided enough for me to drive out to view the situation.

On my way to the park, I grabbed this quick shot of a bridge on Amwell Road that was (almost) flooded out. My tires splash through the puddle that probably spanned the road at one point during the night. Several houses and a small block of stores were under several feet of water at that point.


At Colonial Park in Franklin Township, New Jersey, the water had run up on either side of the canal. A brave few survey the incredible amount of brown water that covered every low area. I was surprised that the towpath itself, a part of the Delaware-Raritan Canal State Park, was in the clear as far as I could see.




Near the lagoon where waterfowl likes to hang out, the water covered the road (Mettlers Road) and surged right up to the concrete path that winds through the park. Unfazed by the water, another dog walker surveys the extended lake, above.




I walked slowly through the mud on the usual trails through the wooded areas I enjoy. I was surprised these trails were clear of flooding as well. While the water was within a foot or so of its usual banks, there still seemed to be more water than usual.

Male and Female Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Every waterfowl I saw seemed especially happy.

Every stream I passed was flooded, but I was able to pass easily due to the boardwalks strategically placed along the trail.


Everywhere I walked, the reflection of the trees against the water was beautiful.


Even more trees capsized during this round of storms, some of them very big and very old. I wonder what effect these breaks in the canopy will have this spring – more sunlight reaching the forest floor can mean more undergrowth, such as wildflowers. Despite the heavy flooding, our house was spared any water damage. Whle I recall a lake forming behind my house during previous heavy rains, this area was mysteriously empty this time. I am hypothesizing pumping capablities I am unaware of to explain this phenomena. My heart goes out to all the folks who experienced damages or lost their homes in the latest flooding.

With the sun shining this morning, I am eager to head outdoors. Today I will tour Sourland Mountain – I hope the trails and my favorite resting spots are still there!

First Hike of the Season

Welcome to Washington Valley Park, Gilbride Road trailhead in Bridgewater, NJ. Last Saturday dawned clear and mild, the perfect day for a much needed walk outdoors after being cooped up inside for (what seemed like) most of the winter.


I arrived around mid-morning and parked in the dirt lot which overlooks a road overpass. The stream flowing beneath the bridge was full and gurgling and the air seemed mild and filled with moisture. This increase in humidity, in contrast to the cooler, drier days of winter, always reminds me of spring. As soon as I exited my vehicle, two jays burst out of the trees above me. They caused a ruckus with their loud cries, filling the air with sound for a few moments, before quiet returned.



I began walking up the trail towards the Hawk Watch Area, to the south. I was thrilled to be out in the open air after so many days spent dreaming indoors. The beautiful clear light reflected off the ice still melting slowly in the shade. Shadows seemed very black and tangible beneath the feathery green evergreen branches.


The trail towards the Hawk Watch area borders the water, which turns into a falls (Buttermilk Falls on the park map) after the East Branch Reservoir. On the other side is a steep hill covered in stones and boulders, perfect for reptiles and amphibians to bask upon or hide under in warmer weather.


All along the trail, tiny signs of greenery indicate the proximity of the spring season.


As I neared the main reservoir, I passed by a trio of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). While most ducks in New Jersey are accustomed to humans to the point that they swim over expecting a hand out, this group in particular must have been out-of-towners - they consistently resisted my attempts to photograph them. Instead, as I approached, they leaped into the air quaking wildly and flew downstream. Even when I attempted a sneak attack through the trees they immediately sensed my presence and fled.


Like zebras on the Serengeti, the best photo I could get of them was from behind, as they moved away from me.


At the far point of the trail that day, I reached the East Branch Reservoir. The creek widens and deepens here before going over the falls.



When the water flow is low enough, one can cross the reservoir on s series of flat stones and rocks that span its width. It is often a bit tricky to get across with dry feet -it depends upon how many of the rocks are above the water line. But I enjoy the challenge and I have allow it to lure me back to the area often.


On this occassion, I chose to skip the crossing and loop back to the parking area on the same side of the water. I admired the green color of the water and wondered exactly what process of ice melt, fermentation and water flow had produced the white foam on the surface.



Then it was time to loop back down the trail towards my vehicle. While the trees are all leafless now, I can imagine the change that will take place to this scene once the canopy has grown back for another season. Both views are equally beautiful to my eyes.


This particular trail has just one steep hill. This is the western side of the reservoir, and the trail is mostly flat. However if you would like to climb over logs and boulders you may wish to try the trail along the eastern shore.


As I neared the parking area, I paused to admire the view from the overpass. The view south is where the image on the far right of this blog was taken. Looking down on the northern side here I am, giving you a wave from the bridge.


One way I determine if it has been a good hike is by how dirty I get - the more dirt the more fun you are having. Here is one of my muddy boots after I rinsed as best I could in the stream. Looks like this was good one.


Despite the fair weather last weekend, the rain is storming down quite spectacularly this Saturday morning. I am hoping for more sun (and more fun with the extra hour of daylight) next week. See you on the trail (once it stops raining)!