Moderate hike to Big Beech, Jennings Mountains, Nov. 15


	Moderate hike to Big Beech, Jennings Mountains, Nov. 15 Recreation - rt23.com News Center

Hike teaches the way up a trailless summit

November 10, 2009 (rt23 news) - On Sunday, November 15 at 9:30 a.m., the West Milford 13ers hiking club invites you to join them near Long Pond Ironworks in West Milford, NJ for a moderately paced, seven-mile hike along the New Jersey-New York border.

Monksville Reservoir from Big Beech Mountain,photo courtesy of Dan Balogh (www.danbalogh.com)

Led by Don Weise and the West Milford 13ers, the group will start with a short but steep bushwhack up trailless Jennings Mountain, known for its cedar-lined ledges and hard-to-find summit. Next, they will tour Jennings Hollow and summit Big Beech Mountain, enjoying its beautiful overlooks and impressive rock ledges. The hike also passes through a scenic ravine and historic Long Pond Ironworks. Although the hike is moderately paced, the route is steep and rugged in many places. Proper footwear with ankle support is required.
"The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has made this area a real hiker’s playground with all the beautiful trails they’ve built. But I’m glad they left Jennings Mountain trailless, like many peaks in the Catskills and Adirondacks," said Weise. "It really adds to the adventure."
Big Beech Mountain is a required summit for membership in the West Milford 13ers, a club dedicated to supporting eco-tourism in the development-restricted Highlands Preservation Area. Climbing the 13 peaks, the "West Milford Baker’s Dozen," is a family-friendly activity that has been completed by hikers of all ages. A guidebook to the hikes is available at http://www.nynjtc.org/product/west-milford-bakers-dozen
For those seeking even greater adventure, the more strenuous "Winter 17 Challenge" begins on Winter Solstice, December 21. Hardy outdoorspeople will attempt to climb the original 13 peaks plus 4 more challenging peaks, all in wintertime. Jennings Mountain is a required winter peak, so the club pre-hikes it in November to familiarize aspiring Winter 17ers with the route.
The November 15 hike meets at 9:30 a.m. at the hiker’s parking lot, intersection of East Shore Road and Passaic County Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) in West Milford. Cost is $8 per person. Dress for conditions, wear proper footwear and bring lunch and plenty of water in a small backpack. Hikers should be in reasonably good condition and prepared for a seven-mile, hilly hike. For directions, more information or to register, email donweise@hotmail.com

Posted by: -
November 10, 2009
17:03:08

Moderate hike to Big Beech, Jennings Mountains, Nov. 15

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