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 4/12/2008 9:18 AM
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Trail Directions 
Modified By Administrator  on 4/12/2008 9:19:29 AM)

To Wallkill NWR

From State Highway Route 23 turn onto County Route 565 North (Glenwood Road) at the traffic light. The Sussex Queen Diner is the most obvious landmark at this turn. 
After approximate 1.5 miles turn Left into Wallkill NWR Office driveway.

To Canal Road

Turn left out of parking area onto CR 565 North.  After 4.8 miles turn Right onto Lousenberry Hollow Road.  After .2 miles turn Right at stop sign onto Lousenberry Hollow Road.  After 1.4 miles at the stop sign turn Left onto Sammus Road.
After .2 miles continue straight across CR Route 517, road becomes Maple Grange at this point.  After .7 miles turn left onto Canal Road. Follow to end, parking is on the left.

To Prices Switch Road

Turn Left onto Maple Grange Road.  After .9 mile turn Left onto Route 94 North.  After 0.8 miles bear turn Left onto CR 515 North.  After 0.8 miles left onto Prices Switch Road.  After 0.4 miles turn Left into dirt parking lot. There is no sign for the parking area but if you go over the small bridge on the creek you have gone past it.

To Wawayanda State Park

Return to Route 94 North. After 4.2 miles turn right onto Warwick Turnpike (look for sign for Upper Greenwood Lake).  After 3.0 mile turn Right into Wawayanda State Park.
Proceed to office.

To Hamburg Mountain (Silver Lake Section)
 
Turn right out of Park.  After 2.4 miles turn Right onto Clinton Road.
After 9.2 miles turn Right onto Route 23 North.
After 5.7  miles bear right onto Silver Grove Road
After .9 miles turn right onto Silver Lake Road
After 1.0 miles turn right into driveway of parking area.

Alternate Parking for Hamburg Mountain

Return to U.S. Route 23 North.  After 2.2 miles turn right into Hamburg Mountain parking area 

To Franklin Pond

Return U.S. Route 23 North.  After 3.9 miles turn left at the traffic light onto Franklin Avenue.  After. .5 miles turn left into Franklin Pond parking lot.

To Wild Cat Rock Shelter

Turn left out of parking area.  Take first left onto Cork Hill Road after .2 miles
Take first right onto Maple Road. Take first left onto Wildcat Road
Area begins .1 miles on the left.  There are a few areas on the left to pull over.

To Sparta Mountain

Return to Route 23 and turn Right at the light onto U.S. Route 23 south.
After .5 miles turn Right at the traffic light onto CR 517 South (Munsonhurst Road).
After 1.6 miles turn Left onto Edison Avenue.  After .8 miles parking on the left for Sparta Mtn. After . 1.5 miles parking on left for Sparta Mtn and Edison Pond.  After 1.5 miles parking on left for Spart Mtn Audubon Sanctuary.

To Sparta Glen 

Continue to the end of Edison Road.  At the stop sign turn Right onto Glen Road  (CR 620 West).  After 4.3 miles turn Right into Sparta Glen driveway (careful sharp turn)

To Roland-May Eves Sanctuary 

Leave Sparta Glen by turning Right onto Glen Road.  After 0.3 miles Turn Left at the first light onto Main Street.  After 0.9 miles and four traffic lights bear Left onto CR 181 South (Woodport Road).  After 3.6 miles turn right onto Prospect Point Road. After 1.1 miles bear right onto Northwood Avenue (609 south). After 1.0 mile parking is on the left.

 
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