I have been roaming the Pines for the past ten years. Even though I've traveled to the deepest parts, I've done very little exploring on the west side of RT 206, south of Atsion Lake. For the past month, I spent much time there searching out numerous spungs and areas showing remnants of past forest fires. Here's some photos I took along the way.
Searching on the West Side
- Thread starter Rooftree
- Start date
That's one of my favorite areas, and most accessible to me since I live near Philly. When I have some free time I'd like to go find the tri-county stone (The picture displayed under teegate's username). Have you ever entered the woods from Atco, via Maple Island Road?
This is new territory for me. I haven't been on Maple Island Rd. I drive a 4-door sedan. I have no problem driving up Sandy Causeway from Chew Rd to Maple Island. I hear it gets more sandy north of that. They are currently re-grading the roads in this area. They did Sandy Causeway from Chew Rd to Fleming Pike where it comes in on the left. They also did all of Fleming from that point back to Chew. I was there on Tuesday and they had done some of Burnt Mill Rd and I saw a road grader going up the road that morning. I spoke with the driver. He said they were just tidying things up.
I also hadn't done a lot of exploring on the west side because I considered it too close to syphilisation but last year I changed my mind and checked the area out pretty well.It's a very nice piece of woods.A few more cycle yahoos then the deeper woods but still very nice woods.Lot of low woods and spungs like the east side just across 206 but a bit more accessible.
Sandy Causeway is indeed very true to its name for about 1/2 mile, beginning at the old railroad grade (Raritan Ave) and heading south. I just gun it and try not to stop. 4wd not necessary but I wouldn't try to drive a little car through there.
That is not an easy endeavor so be prepared for briers. Take a look at Jessica's face after we arrived.
It looks like it's about a quarter mile east from fleming pike/parkdale road. I know you can't access that road from the Lake Atsion parking, but is it reasonably passable north from sandy causeway at the rr crossing? Haven't ever tried. If all else fails I'll just park at Atsion and hike the half mile or so.