All,
Just 10 days ago we were notified by Scott and Bob that there was another hike imminent. Here is the “edited” announcement Bob passed on to all members that he received from Scott who had designed it.
Our next trip will be led by that purveyor of steamed roadkill, the moonshiner and jerky-maker extraordinaire, the man with the deadpan, the geeter with the heater, our own Scott the Pestletown Piney! The below handbill announcing this trip was announced by said dread-Scott hisself.
On Saturday November 22, 2008 (November 23, 2008 rain date) we will meet at Batsto at 8:45 a.m.
We will explore an area that I have been fascinated with ever since the advent of Google Earth. It is a system of bogs south and east of Wescoat that appear to have been abandoned as far back as 1930. They are large and are fed by several branches associated with the Mullica watershed. I have loved Wescoat ever since I started duck hunting there in the 80's and this area will be uncharted territory for me.
I would like to follow the berms, more or less, to appreciate the work that was done by some very industrious people without the assistance of modern machinery. We will also touch into a beaver pond that pops in and out of existence according to historic aerials. The pond looks as if it served as the main reservoir for the bog system.
The hike looks like it will be wet and I think I will opt for hip boots as opposed to knee highs.
Track length is 2.5 miles and if everything goes too smoothly, we will add length as needed.
Well I hope everyone can make it............Scott
So as the announcement said we started our journey at 8:45 by walking across Constable Bridge and entering one of the most remote places in NJ. On this trip we had Jeff, Tom, Gabe, Scott, Bob, Me, and our friends Mickey and Paul who are not members of this site. Few people ever go here so sit back and enjoy the ride. Others will be posting photo’s so I will skip many of mine and let the other post theirs.
Early on we came upon this cedar swamp that we had to cross. Many of them were blown down or had fallen making the crossing quite exhausting.
Mickey told me to take this shot and I want to thank him for the idea.
We arrived at the large lake that very few people ever see. Since I along with many other were wearing waders, I was able to walk out into the frozen edges of the lake and take these shots.
A panoramic.
http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/11222008/a.jpg
Without beavers there would most likely be no lake.
Bob fell and could not get up. He is as bad as Jessica
Lunch time!
Leatherleaf taking over this bog.
Jeff admiring the sights.
While planning the hike Scott reviewed the area using Live Maps, and found this duck blind in the middle of the swamp.
Jeff and I had walked out into the middle of the swamp we were in, and I spotted a blind in the distance. So we headed towards it breaking the ice as we walked. Here is the view we saw as we closed in on it. We had to cross the water ahead to get to it.
While crossing there I noticed something yellow all over under the water. A closer inspection revealed it to be corn. They had scattered the corn in hopes the ducks would feed there making them an easy target for their weapons. A view into the water.
The back of the blind.
The entrance on the side.
They were a little messy, but they had almost everything. Water, canned food, a stove, and plenty of chairs.
The expiration date was 11/09. Anyone hungry??
A great day with great hikers who really appreciate the pines.
Guy
Just 10 days ago we were notified by Scott and Bob that there was another hike imminent. Here is the “edited” announcement Bob passed on to all members that he received from Scott who had designed it.
Our next trip will be led by that purveyor of steamed roadkill, the moonshiner and jerky-maker extraordinaire, the man with the deadpan, the geeter with the heater, our own Scott the Pestletown Piney! The below handbill announcing this trip was announced by said dread-Scott hisself.
On Saturday November 22, 2008 (November 23, 2008 rain date) we will meet at Batsto at 8:45 a.m.
We will explore an area that I have been fascinated with ever since the advent of Google Earth. It is a system of bogs south and east of Wescoat that appear to have been abandoned as far back as 1930. They are large and are fed by several branches associated with the Mullica watershed. I have loved Wescoat ever since I started duck hunting there in the 80's and this area will be uncharted territory for me.
I would like to follow the berms, more or less, to appreciate the work that was done by some very industrious people without the assistance of modern machinery. We will also touch into a beaver pond that pops in and out of existence according to historic aerials. The pond looks as if it served as the main reservoir for the bog system.
The hike looks like it will be wet and I think I will opt for hip boots as opposed to knee highs.
Track length is 2.5 miles and if everything goes too smoothly, we will add length as needed.
Well I hope everyone can make it............Scott
So as the announcement said we started our journey at 8:45 by walking across Constable Bridge and entering one of the most remote places in NJ. On this trip we had Jeff, Tom, Gabe, Scott, Bob, Me, and our friends Mickey and Paul who are not members of this site. Few people ever go here so sit back and enjoy the ride. Others will be posting photo’s so I will skip many of mine and let the other post theirs.
Early on we came upon this cedar swamp that we had to cross. Many of them were blown down or had fallen making the crossing quite exhausting.
Mickey told me to take this shot and I want to thank him for the idea.
We arrived at the large lake that very few people ever see. Since I along with many other were wearing waders, I was able to walk out into the frozen edges of the lake and take these shots.
A panoramic.
http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/11222008/a.jpg
Without beavers there would most likely be no lake.
Bob fell and could not get up. He is as bad as Jessica
Lunch time!
Leatherleaf taking over this bog.
Jeff admiring the sights.
While planning the hike Scott reviewed the area using Live Maps, and found this duck blind in the middle of the swamp.
Jeff and I had walked out into the middle of the swamp we were in, and I spotted a blind in the distance. So we headed towards it breaking the ice as we walked. Here is the view we saw as we closed in on it. We had to cross the water ahead to get to it.
While crossing there I noticed something yellow all over under the water. A closer inspection revealed it to be corn. They had scattered the corn in hopes the ducks would feed there making them an easy target for their weapons. A view into the water.
The back of the blind.
The entrance on the side.
They were a little messy, but they had almost everything. Water, canned food, a stove, and plenty of chairs.
The expiration date was 11/09. Anyone hungry??
A great day with great hikers who really appreciate the pines.
Guy
