Trip on the East Creek or Manumuskin 2/25

[Piney Boy]

All,
Probably getting out with a newly made hiking friend this Saturday morning into the afternoon. My first thought is for the East Creek Trail in BellePlaine St. Forest. Was there recently and found it a blast. Its submerged in about 5 places, so a 7 miler turns into aprox 8-10. The swamp hopping is magnificent as well as a challenge. Its the perfect time of year to check out swamps and there ecosystems.
My second thought is to check out the Manumuskin Preserve. I've wanted to take a little outing there, and after seeing some threads it may be at the top of my list. So drop a line if interested in these two little dayhikes.

 

[Boyd]

Actually I was just hiking around East Creek Pond and Pickle Factory Pond in Belleplain today! I really like that area also - those are very scenic little lakes. Personally I can do without the swampy parts though

 

[RednekF350]

I fish East Creek Pond every Good Friday .
Me and a couple of friends and co-workers have made it a tradition for the past 7 or 8 years.
One of our buds is undergoing chemo for lung cancer right now and we are praying that he can make the trip this year.
We get a couple pints of minnows in Port Elizabeth and live line all day.
Lots of small pickerel, a couple of bass and some yellow perch.
Nice, clean water and quiet. I bring home a dozen or so yellow perch every year and fry a few and smoke the rest.
Fished Pickle Factory pond twice with not a lot of success.
I never realized how much there was to Belleplain SP until I started going down to East Creek.
Scott

 

[Piney Boy]

I'm fast falling in love with that area myself. Have made a couple of jaunts over the last month with each one being better to the last. Dont like the swampy parts huh? Personally, outside of summer, I enjoy maneuvering through a swamps the most fun.

 

[Piney Boy]

I'll have to remember that about the fishing, its been awhile but I plan on getting out a few times this year. Good thoughts for your friend.

 

[piker56]

Part of the East Creek trail used to be closed spring and summer because there was a nesting pair of Bald Eagles near it. I saw them one summer on East Creek Lake with 2 young. It's a beautiful trail. I hiked it a couple times with my oldest brother, who has since passed away (cancer) in 1997. In fact, the last hike we were able to go on was a short out and back on the part near the campground at Belleplain. One of the best parts was hiking the cedar swamps when they froze over.

 

[Piney Boy]

Part of the East Creek trail used to be closed spring and summer because there was a nesting pair of Bald Eagles near it. I saw them one summer on East Creek Lake with 2 young. It's a beautiful trail. I hiked it a couple times with my oldest brother, who has since passed away (cancer) in 1997. In fact, the last hike we were able to go on was a short out and back on the part near the campground at Belleplain. One of the best parts was hiking the cedar swamps when they froze over.

Very interesting fact to hear about the eagles, didn't see any myself. The cedar swamps are definitely the highlight of this hike. They are just beautiful in the winter aren't they. I went out a few weeks ago and had such a nice hike that I'm bringing back somebody else. Only complaints are the lack of quality blazing in some areas, and 2 really flooded sections that required bushwacking through stickers and briars. Those are just small complaints though. Its well worth the trip.
Although your brother is gone its great you still have quality memories of him.

 

[RednekF350]

I have seen eagles almost every time I was at East Creek.
Another great place to fish, explore by boat and see eagles is the Menatico Sand Ponds WMA.
It is tucked away in Millville a mile or so off of 49 along a gravel road and is the the location where the standing record NJ largemouth was allegedely caught.
I say allegedely because I heard a reliable account a few years ago from someone who said it was caught in private waters about 20 miles from there.
Just like when someone asks me where I shot my deer.
I point to my ribs and say right here. Sportsman's honor.
Sorry to digress.
Menatico WMA is a series of large sand washes that have been abandoned for years and they are all linked together by waterways. It was a big operation at one time with rail access to haul the sand away.
There is an oyster shell boat ramp at the end of the road to launch from.
Great place to drift around to catch fish and enjoy assorted flying wildlife too.
Scott

 

[woodjin]

Man, I would really like to get out there and do this hike with you but I am afraid a previous commitment and a foot injury are going to prevent me from doing so. I have been wanting to explore that area. Oh' Well, have fun.

Jeff

 

[Piney Boy]

I have seen eagles almost every time I was at East Creek.
Another great place to fish, explore by boat and see eagles is the Menatico Sand Ponds WMA.
It is tucked away in Millville a mile or so off of 49 along a gravel road and is the the location where the standing record NJ largemouth was allegedely caught.
I say allegedely because I heard a reliable account a few years ago from someone who said it was caught in private waters about 20 miles from there.
Just like when someone asks me where I shot my deer.
I point to my ribs and say right here. Sportsman's honor.
Sorry to digress.
Menatico WMA is a series of large sand washes that have been abandoned for years and they are all linked together by waterways. It was a big operation at one time with rail access to haul the sand away.
There is an oyster shell boat ramp at the end of the road to launch from.
Great place to drift around to catch fish and enjoy assorted flying wildlife too.
Scott

Thanks for more quality fishing hole info. I've spotted eagles in Penn State forest but knowwhere else in the Pines. Perhaps tomorrow will be different.

 

[Piney Boy]

Man, I would really like to get out there and do this hike with you but I am afraid a previous commitment and a foot injury are going to prevent me from doing so. I have been wanting to explore that area. Oh' Well, have fun.

Jeff

Get well and we will plan another in the future. Feet injuries can be mighty serious, so take care.
Joe

 

[dragoncjo]

Menatico ponds is a nice place to hike around at. I have never seen bald eagles there though. I have seen a few at manumuskin preserve. During october I would see one on at least every trip I made down there. I like that area of the pines because there are not really any large towns nearby. Kind of makes you feel like your out in the country more. Also you always seem to have the woods to yourself. I don't think that area is hiked as much as the northern part of the pinelands.

 

[Piney Boy]

Menatico ponds is a nice place to hike around at. I have never seen bald eagles there though. I have seen a few at manumuskin preserve. During october I would see one on at least every trip I made down there. I like that area of the pines because there are not really any large towns nearby. Kind of makes you feel like your out in the country more. Also you always seem to have the woods to yourself. I don't think that area is hiked as much as the northern part of the pinelands.

I agree. Traffic is definitely lighter down in that area, that alone is enough reason for me to stick to those trails for awhile.

 

[dragoncjo]

How was belleplain, any wildlife? I was thinking about going down there tomorrow, either their or cape may wildlife refuge.

 

[Piney Boy]

How was belleplain, any wildlife? I was thinking about going down there tomorrow, either their or cape may wildlife refuge.

Great weekend! Saw three eagles at close range. Hike was nice, especially those huge cedar they have in Belleplaine. I'm ready for another round.

 

[dragoncjo]

Nice, yeah I stopped by there today but was looking to hike more baylike areas. I'll get there some time hopefully.

 

[tom m]

Bald Eagles At East Creek

There are 1-2 nesting pairs of eagles near bellplain at east creek they have been doing so for about 10 years i know where the one nest is but the ranger that we knew is now retired so we can no longer go back to it,a shame that nest has to be 4 feet across by now