Me, my gf, and our dog, made our first trip to Apple Pie Hill and did our first hiking on the Batona trail Sunday.
I had no clue where we were going other than directions I wrote down from looking at Google earth. It's amazing how the trees hide it.
I was pretty sure we were close to APH, so we parked and starter walking. We came across this nice pink blazed marked trail so we headed off into the woods. I thought maybe it's the Batona trail?? Who knew that it leads to APH?? We later found out that it was the Batona and that we were headed in the wrong direction by another hiker we met along the trail.
I figured we were about a mile from where we parked going in the wrong direction.......
Now going in the rite direction we passed the truck, and hiked about another mile before reaching APH.
It was pretty busy up on the Hill. There must have been 10 Jeeps, a couple of motorcycles, and a few other cars. The area was a lot cleaner than I expected to see after reading other reports of the area.
Once up on the Hill, I couldn't believe my eyes. WOW what a view! Are we still in South Jersey? I Climbed up the tower and was in awe at the sea of green and endless view.
I could have sat there all day taking in the view and thinking what a wonderful day to be alive....................Mike
The fire tower and the view at Apple Pie Hill
My dog checking out the tee pee and a small shelter along the Batona trail
Sorry about the small pics, the larger version can be seen here.
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/941
I had no clue where we were going other than directions I wrote down from looking at Google earth. It's amazing how the trees hide it.
I was pretty sure we were close to APH, so we parked and starter walking. We came across this nice pink blazed marked trail so we headed off into the woods. I thought maybe it's the Batona trail?? Who knew that it leads to APH?? We later found out that it was the Batona and that we were headed in the wrong direction by another hiker we met along the trail.
I figured we were about a mile from where we parked going in the wrong direction.......
Now going in the rite direction we passed the truck, and hiked about another mile before reaching APH.
It was pretty busy up on the Hill. There must have been 10 Jeeps, a couple of motorcycles, and a few other cars. The area was a lot cleaner than I expected to see after reading other reports of the area.
Once up on the Hill, I couldn't believe my eyes. WOW what a view! Are we still in South Jersey? I Climbed up the tower and was in awe at the sea of green and endless view.
I could have sat there all day taking in the view and thinking what a wonderful day to be alive....................Mike
The fire tower and the view at Apple Pie Hill
My dog checking out the tee pee and a small shelter along the Batona trail
Sorry about the small pics, the larger version can be seen here.
http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/941
That's the one thing I enjoy about walking the Batona Trail is the little differences in landscape as you traverse the Barrens.
