I found myself on Route 539 today and had an hour or so to spare, so decided to check out an area I've been meaning to get to since my maiden pine barrens trip to the Forked River Mountains a few weeks ago. Specifically, I wanted to check out the northern part of Jones Road out to Black's Bridge. I was told this area wasn't in such good shape, but figured between 4WD and the spade shovel and boards I had in the trunk (courtesy of a project I was helping my dad with earlier in the day) I'd be somewhat prepared for a hairy situation.
Started out on the access point near mile marker 20, just south of Webbs Mill and went out to Jones from there. A little sugar sand near the convergence of the roads, but my SUV plowed through without a hitch (4WD on and stability control off).
It was smooth sailing from there on, for the most part.
Got to the bridge in a very short amount of time. Nobody out on the trails today except for one dude on a dirt bike who stopped to chat for a minute.
The bridge was in great shape, as was the road all around including a small clearing just south of it where I parked.
It looks a little wet in that photo, but Jones was pretty much dry as a bone. It was a nice time to be back there. No huge rutted out areas or anything of the sort. I stopped at several areas along the road to check out some of the plants and the overall landscape. There are a couple clearings just north of the bridge that are absolutely breathtaking. I found this area to be more "inviting" than the trails to Forked River Mountain, though the payoff at the end of the FRM trails was incredible (and I'll definitely be back once the leaves fall).
I know some people have posted here about beavers blocking up the crick. I was prepared to do a little goodwill landscaping if things looked hairy, but the stream was flowing fast and clean.
Wanted to try and find Black's Stone, but wasn't sure of the location and was running short on time (had a dinner reservation at 6 in Toms River). So that will be a project for another day.
Still, another location checked off and a great way to kill an hour on a Saturday afternoon!
Started out on the access point near mile marker 20, just south of Webbs Mill and went out to Jones from there. A little sugar sand near the convergence of the roads, but my SUV plowed through without a hitch (4WD on and stability control off).
It was smooth sailing from there on, for the most part.
Got to the bridge in a very short amount of time. Nobody out on the trails today except for one dude on a dirt bike who stopped to chat for a minute.
The bridge was in great shape, as was the road all around including a small clearing just south of it where I parked.
It looks a little wet in that photo, but Jones was pretty much dry as a bone. It was a nice time to be back there. No huge rutted out areas or anything of the sort. I stopped at several areas along the road to check out some of the plants and the overall landscape. There are a couple clearings just north of the bridge that are absolutely breathtaking. I found this area to be more "inviting" than the trails to Forked River Mountain, though the payoff at the end of the FRM trails was incredible (and I'll definitely be back once the leaves fall).
I know some people have posted here about beavers blocking up the crick. I was prepared to do a little goodwill landscaping if things looked hairy, but the stream was flowing fast and clean.
Wanted to try and find Black's Stone, but wasn't sure of the location and was running short on time (had a dinner reservation at 6 in Toms River). So that will be a project for another day.
Still, another location checked off and a great way to kill an hour on a Saturday afternoon!
