Wawayanda

[Boyd]

It isn't the pines, but it is in New Jersey...

I've been spending so much time wandering in the pine recently that I needed a change of scene, so I made a trip up to Northern NJ to Wawayanda State Park. I had never been up to this part of the state before, and I'm glad I went. At times I thought I was up in Maine! The area up there around Ringwood is very scenic with lakes and mountains. The park itself is large with lots of trails to explore.

I hiked around a bit and saw parts of Lake Wawayanda

Laurel Pond

And even surprised a black bear out in the woods - a first time for me (sorry, it was dark out there and I did't get a very good picture)

note 5/28/2025: replaced missing gallery pix

 

[MikeBickerson]

Better bear picture than I would have gotten while fleeing the other way

 

[Boyd]

:lol:

Well he didn't seem very scary, although I was startled at first. He wasn't a lot taller than a very large dog, but way fatter.

There are some interesting ruins of an old furnace up there too. The furnace itself is fenced of an has steel corners running up its sides with cables lashing them in place. Looks like they're worried it will collapse. Down the trail a little ways are the ruins of some walls and foundations which were interesting:

note 5/28/2025: replaced missing gallery pix

 

[Stu]

I've had a bear or 2 cross the path right in front of me...they just keep going. Haven't been eaten yet anyway.

 

[Teegate]

It isn't the pines, but it is in New Jersey...

I've been spending so much time wandering in the pine recently that I needed a change of scene, so I made a trip up to Northern NJ to Wawayanda State Park.

Nice report! The first photo looks just like down here, the same as Steve's did in PA.


Guy