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SOURLAND
SLOW HIKES
The Sourland Planning Council invites you to explore the mountain by joining one of our “Slow Hikes.” The hikes are “slow” because we will take the time to become immersed in native habitats — observing birds, woodland wildflowers, animal tracks, and the growth cycles of the forest. We will share lore, insights and appreciation of central New Jersey’s last great wilderness -- Sourland Mountain. The number of
participants will be limited at the discretion of each program
presenter. Participants may be asked to sign a waiver. Please dress
appropriately with sturdy shoes or boots, etc. Please don’t hesitate
to ask for more information about trail conditions and difficulty.
Unless otherwise noted, these programs are designed for adults and older
children. Dogs are not allowed. Saturday, April 19: HERALDS
OF SPRING Northern Stony Brook Preserve Before the leaves of trees emerge in spring, wildflowers like bloodroot, trout lily, spring beauty, and rue anemone carpet the forest floor. They take advantage of the abundant spring sunshine, and many disappear when trees leaf out. Jared Rosenbaum will lead this walk in search of these intricate but ephemeral forest denizens and other signs of the reawakening land. Hike length: approximately 2 hours. Time: Late morning. To register, please contact Jared Rosenbaum: jared@palaceofculture.org Saturday, May 17: BIRDS OF
BALDPATE Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain Mid-May marks the height of spring
migration for birds that winter in the tropics and nest in the Sourland.
The Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate is Mercer County’s premier
location for neo-tropical migratory songbirds. Our slow hike will
take us through woodland habitat that hosts scarlet tanagers, ovenbirds,
worm-eating and Kentucky warblers and much more. The walk will
take about 2.5 hours and we will cover about three miles. Time:
9:00 a.m. To register, please contact Pat Sziber: SziBird@aol.com Saturday, June 21:
CHILDREN’S HIKE Sourland Preserve, Hunterdon County Summer has arrived, and the forest is awake from the treetops to the forest floor. We will listen for birdsong, look for signs of animals, and explore the trees that shade us as we walk. Ages 8 to 12. An adult must accompany each child. Hike will last about 1.5 hours. To register, please contact Rachel Mackow: rachel@palaceofculture.org Saturday, July 26: ROARING
ROCKS HIKE & PICNIC Picnic at Roaring Rocks, one of the most famous boulder fields in the Sourland. We will meet at the parking lot of the Sourland Preserve in Hillsborough Township off East Mountain Road at 11:00 AM for a two hour walk and lunch at one of the more unusual places in the Sourland. Total distance of the round trip is about 4 miles on well-marked trails. Long pants and sturdy shoes recommended. Bring your lunch, plenty to drink and a camera. Rain date July 27. For more information call Jerry Haimowitz @ 908-429-1717 or e-mail at jhaimowitz@yahoo.com. Sunday, August 10: ALEXAUKEN
HEADWATER HIKE Join John Brunner for a
headwater hike through the Alexauken Creek Wildlife Management Area.
This outstandingly scenic stretch of the creek’s headwaters features
classic Sourland topography and mature woodlands. We’ll follow the
plunging falls, deep pools and riffles of the creek in search of aquatic Saturday, September 21:
SOURLANDS STEWARDS - NATIVE WILDFLOWERS & SHRUBS The Cedar Ridge Preserve in Hopewell is comprised of old farm fields and hedgerows which are being restored by D & R Greenway’s Stewardship staff. We’ll walk through meadows of native wildflowers and grasses, and see beautiful native shrubs like dogwoods, blackhaw, spicebush and hazelnut. Land Steward Jared Rosenbaum will talk about the restoration process and about converting your yard or fields to rich native plant communities that support abundant birdlife and other wild creatures. Hike length: approximately 2 hours. Time: Late morning. To register contact Jared Rosenbaum: jared@palaceofculture.org
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