Highlight Hiker

FIND YOUR FREEDOM

Hey, Fellow Hiker!
Thank you for visiting my blog! My trail name is Highlight and my goal is to virtually take you around the trails in Northern NJ and Southern NY. Hopefully show you something you didn’t know or haven’t seen, and maybe even make you laugh (I happen to think my photo caption are informative and entertaining).

See you on up the trail!

Hello, AT Thru Hikers!
Whether you’re aspiring, en route or have graduated…
WELCOME! I have a lot of photos of and experience on the Appalachian Trail in northern NJ, southern NY and randomly in PA, so browse around! If you have questions, want details on a stealth camp site, need some trail magic, want a ride: Reach out! I’m here to help!

Hi, Mountain Bikers!
I see you there, checking out Jungle Habitat! Nice. Thanks for stopping by! Just FYI: In 2023 I’ll be hiking through Sterling Forest, where biking trails abound! I don’t know much about mountain biking other than that I still own my (now vintage) Gary Fisher Wahoo. But I will definitely keep adding photos and info as I refine my blog throughout the year. Is there anything you want me to specifically put up on the pages? Send me a message via Instagram.

ABOUT ME

I moved from Michigan to Northern New Jersey in 2002, and the change from sprawling farm land and expansive green space to thick suburban life was a rough adjustment. One day when I particularly home sick my husband took me for a drive on Warwick Turnpike. A section of the turnpike passes by Abram S. Hewitt State Forest. There, on the side of the road, was a “hiker crossing” sign, and that was all it took. I was completely fascinated with why those signs were there and what was beyond the heavy curtain of tree cover to the east. I’ve been exploring the woods ever since. I started sharing my photos and experiences with friends and family and it was suggested that I keep a blog of my travels. In the summer of 2022, I completed all of the marked trails in the New York New Jersey Trail Conference map set: Northern New Jersey Highlands.

It is my goal to hike the entire 76.2 miles of the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey from the Delaware Water Gap to the New York state line soon. I have the dream of seeing this country in a way that only a long distance hiker can and would love to hike either the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail… or all of the above!

I've hiked in other places, too! From my home state of Michigan to the Australian Outback, whenever I have an opportunity to put boots down on the trail, I take it!