1.1 – More picnic tables and a viewing scope in a mowed grassy area, overlooking the Kuser Mansion and orchard. Entrance to the Baldpate trail network can be gained at six places. Parking is available at the bottom of this trail, off Route 29. The narrow path winds through second-growth forest, at a few spots crossing poorly drained spots sometimes rutted by mountain bikes. [Pass ORANGE (Copper Hill) on the right – might not even notice it, but there was a large tree on the ground across from the trail]. The map shows restrooms at the visitor center, which is 1.3 miles up the blue trail or if you park at the main lot instead. Its mature woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows harbor a rich variety of native trees and shrubs and a … Alternatively, go 1.4 miles further north on Route 29, beyond Fiddler’s Creek Road, and turn right on Pleasant Valley Road. Just a short distance further, the walkers’ route leaves the powerline to the right, becoming the Grist Mill Trail (not named on NJTRails map), heads into the trees, then bends again to the northwest, perched on the slope above Moore’s Creek. At .6 mile, the blue-blazed Creek Spur leaves straight downhill to the south towards Fiddler’s Creek Road. The mountain is mostly wooded with some former pasture areas that allow excellent views of the Delaware River valley below. The birdlife of Baldpate attracts amateur birdwatchers and scientists. For the Pleasant Valley Road entrances, continue a total of 1.5 miles north on Route 579, and turn left on Pleasant Valley Road. The lot is marked “Vehicle and Horse Trailers Parking” on the trail map. 95S to Exit 1 for 29N/River Road. It is managed by the Loon Echo Land Trust. The fringes of the forest and orchard areas offer wild raspberries in early summer, and those who know where to look and what to pick safely can enrich their dinners with a variety of wild mushrooms. The Ridge Trail (white blazes) runs from Pleasant Valley Road at the eastern end of Baldpate about two miles to an open meadow near the western end (picnic tables there), and then about .2 mile further, curving down to the driveway below the former Kuser Estate house, now renovated as a visitor center. 6. ], 4.5 – Turn LEFT and now follow ORANGE (Copper Hill). There are picnic tables and a view towards the Delaware River and a meadow is along the mowed path. Honey Hollow Entrance from Church Road: There is a parking area at the Brick Road entrance to Washington Crossing State Park, off Church Road just opposite Fiddler’s Creek Road, with space for 8-10 cars along the edges of Brick Road. For access to the Honey Hollow area, turn hard left into Brick Road about .75 mile in on Church Road, just opposite the intersection of Church Road with Fiddler’s Creek Road. The rocky outcrops provide cover for various harmless snakes, but naturalists have also found the rarely seen copperhead snake, whose bite can be harmful. 0.0 – Start following BLUE (Summit) just beyond the trail kiosk. Continue following WHITE (Ridge) across the open grassy area, past a large tree with a white marker, towards the woods. Also closed Wed. – Sat. 12 Trails. 19 Trails. There the path turns left (northwest) to follow the sometimes muddy downs and ups of the utility line, at .8 mile crossing the same brook, whose banks can also be muddy. From its intersection with the Northwest Loop, the trail first descends gradually through woods for about .2 mile, then contours north and then west, passing the ruined foundation of what appears to have been a barn or house—or both together. New photos. ///. None of the trails are paved. At 470 feet, the peak of Baldpate Mountain is Mercer County’s highest elevation. Overview: BLUE (Summit) – WHITE (Ridge) – RED (NW Loop) – WHITE (Ridge) – Kuser (GREEN) – Kuser (GREEN) connector trail – ORANGE (Copper Hill) – WHITE (Ridge) – BLUE (Summit). This point allows access to the east end of the Ridge Trail, the Copper Hill Trail, and the Kuser Trail. [WHITE (Ridge) also goes right]. Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain has 12.0 miles of trails. Baker Creek Preserve. In order to preserve the health of forest ecosystems, the Park Commission employs deer management programs at Baldpate Mountain and Mercer Meadows. 3.6 – Continue on WHITE (Ridge). Shortly, pass the remains of a house’s stone chimney off to the left. The animal population on Baldpate includes the expected small residents such as chipmunks, voles, bats, groundhogs, and squirrels, foxes and coyotes, and representatives of the area’s deer population. Make a left turn onto Valley Road at about 2.75 miles up Pleasant Valley Road, and then go right (almost straight ahead) on Wooden’s Lane to the Howell Living History Farm and its parking. All but two of the farm buildings in this area have been demolished over the years we’ve been hiking here. After passing several cottage-size boulders edged with moss, the path crosses, at about .8 mile trail, the driveway from Fiddler’s Creek Road above the old Kuser Estate House. Baldpate Mountain is part of the largest continuously forested area in central New Jersey, the Sourlands Region, stretching across Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon Counties. Across the stream, the route bends to the right, heading upstream along the creek bank, then curving north to follow the small Honey Hollow Brook, which flows into the larger Fiddler’s Creek. There is formal parking at three of these locations, and limited parking in two other places: 1. Trail Manager From here, turning east (left) along the Ridge Trail brings you to the small farmhouse and pond, and turning west (right) brings you back to the mountain-top meadow. Established in 1912, the 800-acre park commemorates one of our nation's most important early historical events. Some info and history of the area can be found on njskylands.com. Horseback riders and cyclists should continue along the powerline further west, to a second right turn that leads down along the Pleasant Valley Riders Trail to Pleasant Valley Road. Rugged. Eventually there will be a BLUE (Summit) marker. Hike the Baldpate Mountain Loop. This wide trail follows an old wood road, which has in most places narrowed to a footpath, and has the gentlest grades of all the trails, with moderate ups and downs. 4.0 – Turn RIGHT over a small footbridge and now follow Kuser (GREEN) as it heads gradually downhill. Baldpate Mountain is a mountain located in Oxford County, Maine. South Dakota. [ORANGE (Copper Hill) also goes right.]. 133 Trails. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. /// Shorter 3.2 mile option: Head back from here, finding the trail around the side of the pond. The trail leaves the brook, skirts a hillside, bends left and then right, passing the Kuser Connector which runs over to the Copper Hill Trail. Pick up the description at the second to last step below. Our setting is nestled in the pine forest on the side of Twin Sisters Mountain, next to the Lily Lake area of Rocky Mountain … During this season, hunting occurs four or five days per week, and on hunting days there is no public access except for hunters registered with Mercer County. Return to this spot to continue, or from the buildings take the path uphill to the viewing scope and picnic tables and follow from 1.1 below. Check our Trail Blog links at the bottom of the page for photos of the area over the years. However, there is no formally designated parking at this location. Pleasant Valley Road Parking Lot: The well-marked entrance driveway is on the south side of Pleasant Valley Road, 1.2 miles west of Bear Tavern Road. For the Church Road entrance, continue another 1.4 miles up Fiddlers Creek Road to the intersection with Church Road; continue straight across Church Road into the Brick Road entrance to Washington Crossing State Park, where there is ample parking room along the margins of the gravel road. Parts of the trail north of the Kuser Connector may be muddy in wet periods. Deer hunting, organized by Mercer County to limit the deer population and the damage it does to the forest, takes place on Baldpate Mountain each year from some time in December through early or mid-February. In spring, the forest floor is brightened by mayflower, columbine, black snakeroot, spring beauties, bunchberry, trout lilies, and numerous other wildflowers. The 6.7 mile network of trails offers an array of recreational opportunities and views. To the north lies Surplus mountain, to the south west, Baldpate looks upon Old Speck across Grafton Notch. At trail entrances, intersections, and places where there are no trees and the trail might be unclear, there are brown posts with trail markers in the same colors. This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. Shortly, Pass YELLOW (Switchback) on the left. Bald Pate Mountain is a popular hunting area and blaze orange should be worn October-December. See Mercer County deer management for closure dates. There are five entrance points to the preserve—two from Fiddlers Creek Road, two from Pleasant Valley Road, and one from Church Road. Baldpate Mountain moderate (108) Length: 7 mi • Est. 1.2 – Turn RIGHT to start following RED (NW Loop) – you might not spot markers until turning. Baldpate Mountain-West Peak (3662 ft/1116 m) Latitude/Longitude (WGS84) 44° 36' 33'' N, 70° 53' 32'' W 44.609287, -70.892316 (Dec Deg) 349846 E 4941290 N, Zone 19 (UTM) from mid-December to mid-February. This intersection was passed at 3.6]. The Appalachian Trail runs over Baldpate, and is said by some to be one of the most difficult sections of the entire 2,175 mile footpath. Hike along the ridge of Baldpate Mountain (former Kuser Mountain) passing old abandoned farm buildings and the former Kuser estate with mountaintop views of the Delaware River. The trail continues straight across the driveway, and after about 100 yards turns right through a gap in an old rail fence, up into the aging apple orchard, winds left, passes through another fence opening beside a dogwood in the upper corner of the orchard, and emerges into the mountain-top meadow near its eastern margin. There is a little pond that is not really visible until you walk over to it, it’s by a small stone building and old well. Take Exit 1 onto Route 29 north. 0.8 – Come to a T with a gravel path and jog slightly left to continue on BLUE (Summit). There is no hunting on Sundays and one or two other days in the week. Note: We love Baldpate Mountain so much, we’ve written four reviews about different aspects of the park: 1) Overview, 2) Switchback Trail, 3) Eastern Trails, 4)Pine Grove Hike. At the stop sign on Bear Tavern Road (Route 579), turn right. The trail is mostly hard packed earth, with some rocky areas. There are 5 access points listed on the map, which are described on the park page. From that point you can turn right and follow Fiddler’s Creek Road 1.3 miles to the parking lot entrance on your right. Its population, too diverse to list here, includes a variety of warblers, wild turkeys, barn swallows, pileated and downy woodpeckers, goldfinches, wood thrushes, and many more. At roughly its southwestern “corner,” the trail passes the ruins of an old house, with chimney still standing. Great for kids! Go west on Delaware Avenue (from Route 31 at the light at the Pennington Market). The GPS coordinates are 44.609244 (latitude), -70.892372 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 3,786 feet (1,154 meters) above sea level. Baldpate Mountain offers some of the most extensive and rugged walking in Mercer County. Note: Most of the farm buildings have been demolished since the video was taken. This route uses the first lot on Fiddlers Creek Road off of Rt 29. 5.1 – Turn LEFT and now follow WHITE (Ridge). 0.4 – Climb steeply up a long series of stone “steps”.
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