Yesterday we hiked on the Ice Age Trail, which is located at 9 Orben Drive in Landing. It’s a 1.3 mile trail, which will give a beginner hiker a good workout.

It’s a steep but short well-marked hike which takes a hiker up to the ridgeline, with views on either side. It’s a nice hike this time of year before the foliage blocks the view. The trail is dry, and many parts are wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.

You can see Lake Rogerine through the trees, and if you look to the the south, you will be looking at the trails at the Ledgewood Basin (more on these trails tomorrow).

An interesting find along the trail… a tree grew out of an old tire!

The loop takes you back to the parking area, which holds about three cars. If the parking lot is full, come back another time; it’s too difficult to practice social distancing when passing fellow hikers. Enjoy the views; and hopefully the Roxbury trails will not be closed any time soon!

A perfect secret of a hike that gets you outside without other people is Veteran Park’s Green Trail. it’s a loop trail that is 1.3 miles in length, and is fairly level; a great trail for someone just looking for a stroll in the forest. Drive up Mooney Mountain to Patricia Drive. Once you enter Veterans Park, look for the trail head sign on the right, and turn into the cleared parking area.

At the start, the trail splits (it’s the start and end of the loop) stay to the left and walk this well-marked trail. Soon you will be able to see the Succasunna Valley on your left. Views are best in the winter and spring before the foliage blocks the view. If you look carefully you can see the SSC Swim Club, Carey Road, and even the Flanders Valley Golf Course. You will come to a spot where the trails forms a T, head to the left for a picnic spot near a stone outcropping.

Linger awhile and enjoy the peaceful view. Head back the way you came, and stay left at the fork in the trail. You will find yourself in a gathering of silver birches, and then you will be parallel to Patricia Drive.

Enjoy your afternoon in these woods! Before you leave Veterans Park, drive to the end of Patricia Drive to see where the Blue Trail begins; an adventure for another day.

A great local trail to visit with kids is Black River Park Trail, located right behind Suburban Furniture. There’s a short loop trail which guides you along the pond, cross a bridge, and walk along the stream. On the left you will see a blue blazed trail; you wind around and cross the stream on another bridge, and wind up seeing a line of cedar trees. Follow them to head back to the parking area.

If you want a longer hike, once you follow the yellow trail to the end, go right and cross the stream. You will find yourself in ‘the sandpits’, a spot that makes you feel far away from home. It’s nestled between Mine Hill’s Sunset Lake and Randolph Lake. Walk between the two lakes with power lines above your head; at the end of the sandpits, stay to the left and walk along the bank of Sunset Lake. Once you wind up by Mine HIll’s beach, look to the right to see the start of Mine Hill’s orange trail. Check out the map below of the Mine Hill Trails. Stay healthy!

These last couple of weeks have been pretty scary for all of us. Our main goal is to keep our family, friends and neighbors safe, and to be sure that we have enough TP. (At this point, I think we all do!)

For some of us, it’s rough being inside all day, but it is absolutely imperative that we practice social distancing. There is a way to get out without jeopardizing our health; in fact, some fresh air and exercise can do us some good.

Visit the trails near you. Roxbury has trails in Veterans Park, Ice Age Park, Black River Park, Ledgewood/Morris Canal Park, and Riggs Park. There’s also a beautiful, wide trail off of Horseshoe Lake called the West Morris Greenway, which is wide enough to accommodate social distancing and still walk side by side. Check out the pages on this site for parking, trail descriptions and maps.

Wednesday my friend and I hiked the blue trail at Veterans Park, and here’s some pics from our visit:

Most of this trail is wide enough to walk side by side and still maintain social distancing. Use these images for a scavenger hunt! It’s a great trail for kids too.

Let’s take our coronavirus lemons, and make lemonade by exploring nature in our area. Thanks for reading!

~ Sandie

Join the Environmental Committee and Trails Committee to clean up this beautiful, scenic park. Ramsey Outdoor will be there with canoes for residents to use, to help collect trash from the pond’s banks. Register for Saturday, April 13th, 9am-12pm, at Black River Park, 1 Main Street, Succasunna. Help to keep these waters trash-free! Register by April 1st to be guaranteed clean-up supplies. Registration is at https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/stream-cleanup2019 Stream Cleanup Flyer. To register a group of 15+ people, please email Jackie at jmvitiello@optonline.net. Sponsored by the Raritan Headwaters Association.

2019 Stream Cleanup Flyer