Hightlight Hiker Blog
May 1, 2022
Sterling Forest
Townsend to Long Meadow Extension
hiking, mountain biking (LME only), cross country skiing (LME only)
Well, well, well! Guess who asked to go not just hiking with me, but to makes Sterling Forest “our” park! Yes, my kid. So prepare yourselves, we’re going to complete another map… together. Aw, that’s so cute! No, but seriously, a 16 year old wants to spend time with their parent. Have pigs learned to fly? Hath Hell frozen? What is this shiny new thing that lies before me???
Anyway, it’s OUR park now. So you can expect to see more of it. And you can also expect to see less of it. If I’m only allowed to visit with my kid, that means I will have to find other parks and places to roam. Though I have been given permission to hike the AT through Sterling Forest because my kid has no interest that, so I’ll get to finish Mombasha High Point and all of those fun places between Fitzgerald Falls and Agony Grind that I haven’t visited yet.
And I know, I know… Sterling Forest is not part of my plan to complete the 4-maps set of Northern Jersey Highlands. I’ll get it, dear reader, don’t you fret!
Now, what do you want to know about this trail? Mountain Biking and Cross Country Skiing are relegated only to the Long Meadow Extension portions of this loop. It wasn’t a particularly strenuous hike but it did involve a bit of hiking uphill (and then back downhill) on the Townsend Trail. Long Meadow had an uphill section, too, but not as much nor as steep as Townsend Trail.
The Townsend Trail has two scenic views along its length. Neither have a bench (which I’m finding means something to me), and neither have 360, or even 180 degree views. You arrive at one and say “Sure enough! There it is!” and push on.
I thought the… highlight… of the trail - pun intended - was Long Meadow Extension. Once you reach the top of the hill it is a really very lovely straightaway with interesting rock formations and greenery high and low. Plus, there was a happy little sign along the way that read, “Happy Trail to You!” which made me warm and fuzzy inside. I would most definitely make a special trip to Long Meadow Ext. to snowshoe in the winter (that is if we ever get snow again).
One special note about this trail: the parking area on Hall Road is small. Only 4, maaaaaaybe 5, cars will fit in the slender little parking area. If you plan to come as a group be sure to carpool to maximize space, and if it is full, you will need to find another place to park as the residents along Hall drive are not fond of hikers parking on their road.
Sterling Forest
Townsend Trail to Long Meadow Extension
Right at the start of the trail lies a little creek, which is in thaw of spring, made the ground pretty muddy
A small unnamed creek crossing leads the way to the forest
AT the 0.4 mile mark, the Wildcat Mountain trail (white blaze) splits off from the Townsend trail (orange blaze)
There is small unmarked trail that leads to a small reservoir with manmade dam (where some of our famous amphibious friends live)
There's the dam!
You can walk on it, if you please. Well constructed with rock.
The unnamed body of water
And our amphibious friend!!
Meanwhile, back on the Townsend trail...
Sure enough, it's a trail!
It was a warm spring day and we appreciated that it shook off the last signs of hibernation
My kid was very hot in a long black sweatshirt, but always two steps ahead of me
I imagine that when this section is lush and green that it is rather beautiful
It was not a dense forest and was not a difficult climb, just a constant one
As you near the first overview, the rocky tops start to emerge
But you're always under the cover of some trees
This is the first scenic view. We were lucky to be there before the first leaf flush, otherwise we wouldn't see much of the view
That's kind of it...
Not much to see, really
This is the second scenic view, and it is not obstructed the way the first is
But again, I mean.... that's it. Not much and nowhere to really sit and take it in
So we continued on our merry way
This side of the mountain was much more rocky
But we didn't have any problems with it
Once you arrive at Clinton Road, you hike downhill for a long time. The road takes you all the way to the trailhead for Long Meadow. It is not well marked so just keep descending and you'll get there eventually
Where the two trails meet
Looking down Long Meadow Road
And up into the Extension
No time like the present!
Up we go. It's a long uphill but at an easy grade
Cool rock formations line the trail
On both sides!
It's a nice wide trail and well groomed. No sloggy, muddy, slushy bits
And just like this, really
Mountain biking allowed
Looking into the woods toward Townsend trail
HAAPY TRAILS TO YOU, TOO!
Lovely wide trail just meandering along
And then you get back to Orange Turnpike
A little walk along
You can see where Bramertown Road splits off from Orange Turnpike
And there's the gate, which concludes the hike! YAY!