Wallkill National Wildlife Trail (Sussex County)

Trail Map

You’ll begin the trail at Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge, one of five National Wildlife Refuges in New Jersey. From there you will travel northwest to the Appalachian Trail site on Canal Road in Vernon, where as many as 40 species of butterflies have been seen in one day. For those that like to admire wildlife from the water, Canal Road and Prices Switch Road afford opportunities to launch a canoe. Swinging to the east a bit, Wawayanda State Park comprises the northeastern section of Sussex County, where you can experience the Bearfort Mountain and Hemlock Ravine Natural Areas. From there you’ll travel south to the Silver Lake section of Hamburg Mountain WMA and then proceed on to Franklin Pond, and along the way you will have an opportunity to stop for some amenities like food, gas or a restroom. Criss-crossing your way across Sparta Mountain, you’ll stop at the WMA and then Sparta Glen Park. The town of Sparta is a short distance from the park and you’ll pass through it on your way to the next stop, so you have another opportunity to fill up on food and gas before proceeding onto the last stop, the wetlands area around Eves Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Trail Directions are in the first posting of the forum below.  Please use the forum to enter any comments or feedback regarding this trail. Registration is required.

 
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New Post 4/24/2008 4:13 PM
  Holotroph
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By far the best trail in guide to see wildlife 

By far, in my opinion, this is the best trail of the Skylands to see not only a diverse array of birds (eagles, owls, turkeys, songbirds, warblers, waders and waterfowl) thoughout the seasons but this trail is your best chance to see black bear and other mammals such as fox, coyote, porcupine and beaver.  Also the area is loaded with numerous species of amphibians and reptiles but note the rocky areas can and do have timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead.  Also some of the best fishing spots in the state for trout and bass.  Note:  much of this area is open to hunting so check the seasons if hiking. However, hunting is not allowed on Sundays in New Jersey.

 
New Post 6/2/2008 3:10 PM
  tcapetta
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Re: By far the best trail in guide to see wildlife 
Modified By tcapetta  on 6/2/2008 2:12:06 PM)

Which of the trails (and which Park) are you refering to? I hiked a small portion of the Sussex Branch Trail in Allamuchy yesterday, where it begins at Waterloo Rd and heads north to Cranberry Lake. Not listed here, but the Boyle book said it was a great place for breeders in May/June. Hiked from 6:30am to 11 and while the habitat was wonderful and diverse, it was quickly over-run by humans. Humans everywhere, most on bike, loudly cutting through the serenity. The real kicker came at 8am when a construction backo came rumbling up the trail, spewing diesel behind it.

By the time I left at 11there were cars waiting for spots (at a very large parking lot to boot)

Any wonder why most of the breeders Boyle spoke of were not even heard?

My question of course is what is the human impact like on the trails described above?

 
New Post 6/2/2008 3:33 PM
  tcapetta
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Re: By far the best trail in guide to see wildlife 
Modified By tcapetta  on 6/2/2008 2:34:52 PM)

Weird, my reply above is showing up under the "Old Mine Rd." thread title under Forums, but it was posted as a reply under "Stephens State Park" one I thought.

 
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