March 14, 2021 – Hardwick Township, NJ
Problem: Reasonable
Size: Roughly 4.5 miles
Max elevation: 1,560 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 528 ft.
Route sort: Out and again
Map: Delaware Water Hole & Kittatinny Trails Map – 2021
Trailhead parking: Appalachian Path, Millbrook Highway, 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 means of the Appalachian Mountains. The park options waterfalls and lots of outside actions, together with canoeing, climbing, tenting, swimming, biking, cross-country snowboarding, fishing and extra.
Probably 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 “infinite mountain,” the Ridge supplies 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 Fireplace Tower. The Appalachian Path runs proper alongside it and makes for an important focal point for hikers passing by means of. On a transparent day, you may see the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Poconos to the west. The Tower, often known as 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 Fireplace Tower
Historical past:
Although put aside as an space for outside recreation, the land of this park is wealthy in historical past.
The park encompasses vital Native American archeological websites, a number of of which have been investigated.
Various buildings additionally stay from early Dutch settlement and the colonial contact interval. Your complete area was a frontier of the French & Indian Conflict. 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 business fostered by the railroads. Even at present 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, can be administered by the Nationwide Park Service.
Tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} have been appropriated and work started to arrange the realm for flooding. Three to 5 thousand dwellings have been demolished. Some fifteen thousand folks have been displaced, a lot 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 number of the extra seen historic properties have been briefly 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 undertaking was deemed economically & environmentally unsound, and the federal government, as an alternative of promoting again the remaining 83 properties to unique homeowners, transferred the properties to the Nationwide Park Service. The Delaware River was positioned beneath the safety of the Scenic Rivers Act.
Trails Overview:
The Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space has greater than 100 miles of climbing trails alongside streams, ridges, and mountaintops. The paths are of various problem 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 throughout the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space. Whether or not climbing for a few hours, for the day, or for your complete size of the path, the AT supplies alternatives for majestic views, wildlife sightings, and climbing challenges.
Appalachian Path – Delaware Water Hole
Hike Overview:
This hike begins the place the white-blazed Appalachian Path (AT) crosses Millbrook Highway and heads south. Right here, a gravel highway, blocked by a gate (marked “Fireplace Highway – Do Not Block”), goes off to the left (if coming from the south). Restricted parking is on the market on the trailhead, but when no areas can be found, proceed north for an additional 500 ft to a second parking space on the proper aspect of the highway the place the AT leaves the highway.
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Highway
This hike is a simple out and again, totally on the Appalachian Path (AT). The path is nicely marked and simple to observe. The hike begins at Millbrook Highway, travels south alongside the AT, previous the Catfish Fireplace 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 Fireplace 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 quick lived. As soon as on the ridge, you’ll be rewarded with a number of scenic viewpoints together with the Catfish Fireplace 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 laborious.
elevation profile – Catfish Fireplace Tower – Delaware Water Hole
Please word: This hike may be performed 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 current thaw and runoff, and talking to 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 superb pair of climbing boots is completely really helpful.
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 highway 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 highway. In about 500 ft, the AT crosses the highway on the different parking space by the hearth highway.
Millbrook Highway, westbound parking space
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Highway
From the gate, proceed forward on the gravel highway, marked with the white blazes of the Appalachian Path (A.T.). In a couple of quarter of a mile, the highway curves sharply proper and enters a rhododendron grove. A brief distance past, the white blazes of the A.T. go away to the left
Appalachian Path – Millbrook Highway
Appalachian Path – southbound
Appalachian Path – southbound
Appalachian Path – southbound
In about 0.4 mile from the gate, the AT turns left, leaving the hearth highway and begins climbing on a footpath. The hearth highway continues forward and connects to the Rattlesnake Swamp Path. The hearth highway will also be used as a substitute for the AT to achieve the hearth tower.
flip left on Appalachian Path, leaving the hearth highway
The AT now begins a gentle 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 hearth highway 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 highway
We opted to stay on the hearth highway (left fork) which is a barely longer route, however was extra freed from snow than was the AT.
hearth highway – Catfish Mountain
Quickly the hearth highway rejoins the AT, which is available in from the proper and climbs slightly extra to achieve the positioning of the Catfish Fireplace Tower.
the hearth highway rejoins the Appalachian Path
Roughly 1 mile from the gate and about 300 ft of elevation acquire, the Appalachian Path reaches Catfish Fireplace Tower. A picnic desk close to the bottom of the tower makes for a great spot to take a break earlier than climbing the tower.
Catfish Fireplace Tower
Inbuilt 1922 to interchange a picket tower, the Catfish Fireplace Tower often known as Catfish Station, is likely one of the oldest within the state. At 60 ft tall, it’s not the tallest hearth tower in New Jersey. Nonetheless, at an elevation of 1,560 ft above sea degree, it’s the highest.
Catfish Fireplace Tower
In 1993, the Catfish Fireplace Tower’s 7×7-foot cab was rebuilt and the tower rededicated. Catfish Station continues to be an energetic hearth tower at present. It was listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations on December 15, 1997.
Catfish Fireplace Tower
Fireplace 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 hearth observers workers these towers and use an instrument known as a Osborne Fireplace Finder, often known as an alidade, and topographical maps to triangulate the situation of potential wildfires. After pin pointing a location floor crews go in and examine to plan the suitable motion to be taken. No less than one tower in every division is staffed when hearth hazard is average or greater and all towers are staffed in the course of the months of March, April, Could, October and November.
Catfish Fireplace Tower
Catfish Fireplace Tower
The cabin was locked on our go to, however the 360° views from slightly below it are fantastic. Under is a picture wanting on the Appalachian Path touring south.
view southwest from Catfish Fireplace Tower
A zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir and Mount Tammany.
view southwest from Catfish Fireplace Tower
A zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir
zoomed in view of Higher Yards Creek Reservoir from Catfish Fireplace Tower
A southwestern view of the Kittatinny Ridge in the direction of Pennsylvania.
southwest view of the Kittatinny Ridge from Catfish Fireplace Tower
The Kittatinny Ridge wanting northeast the place the Appalachian Path travels north.
northeast view of the Kittatinny Ridge from Catfish Fireplace Tower
A glider floating by within the early morning
For those who had sufficient views and need to simply do a brief 2 mile hike, you may retrace your steps and return to your car. For those who 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 occasions may be actual ankle breaker. The totally different dimension jagged rocks, ranging in dimension, makes you must 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 Highway, 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 large 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 should you want to proceed a bit farther there are extra views available. The AT finally descends to Camp Highway then climbs again as much as the ridge.
Appalachian Path – Kittatinny Ridge
Warning must be exercised alongside this part, particularly in moist circumstances, because the path comes extraordinarily near the sting with a steep drop-off to at least one 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 Fireplace Tower. From the hearth tower we descended the identical method we got here up and returned to the trailhead on Millbrook Highway, the place the hike started.
Catfish Fireplace Tower
Evaluation:
An excellent hike alongside the AT on the Kittatinny Ridge within the Delaware Water Hole. The 360° hearth tower views are excellent and the stroll alongside the ridge provides many extra. Comparatively little foot site visitors in comparison with the extra in style hikes within the space. Well 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 barely open when there’s a ranger on responsibility.
Professionals:
Catfish Fireplace Tower, 360° views from hearth tower, historic Appalachian Path, scenic ridgetop with quite a few views, nicely marked path.
Cons:
Cabin in hearth tower is locked and never accessible except there’s a ranger on responsibility.
Take a hike!
Catfish Fireplace Tower – Delaware Water Hole
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