What Happened To Lower Forge?

[Piney Boy]

So I went on an overnighter this weekend, the hiking was nice and the weather was not. My question though is when did a controled burn happen at Lower Forge, I mean it looks just awful. I could be wrong, but with the look of the burn pattern I'm pretty sure it was controled.
With the nice spread of secluded sites and the Mullica close by it has always been one of my favorite campgrounds in and out of NJ. Now, all the sites off of the water are burned, and those against the water are OVERFLOWING with fire ash. It was indeed a sad site. I understand, and have worked on, controled burns. It just seems some other methods could have been used to remove excess undergrowth and fuel at such a nice site. Sadly, I will be staying away during the recovery period.

 

[LARGO]

Seems as though they have been active this year, which is good I guess.
They really did a butt-tearin' level & burn out my way. Sort of nasty looking. Not one of the cleaner ones I've seen. Athstetics aside, it's all for the greater good I suppose.

 

[Piney Boy]

I agree that clearing out volatile underbrush and other fuel is important, I just think at a popular campsite they could have been more user friendly. You can clear without that burn, and while it is certainly going to take more time it will make it easier on the campsite user. In the very least, NJ Parks should let the hikers and campers know that the site is burned.

 

[grendel]

did you stay there anyway?

 

[Dargo]

Wow, this is timely news, as I was planning on hiking from Batsto to Lower Forge and camping there this weekend

Any pics?

 

[Piney Boy]

Yeah, we stayed there anyway. We got there about 130, set up camp, and explored some of the trails that extend out from there. Didn't want to stay at Batona, and by decision time it started to rain so we just hunkered down.

 

[Piney Boy]

Wow, this is timely news, as I was planning on hiking from Batsto to Lower Forge and camping there this weekend

Any pics?

I think I took some pics, let me check when I get home today. Maybe think about heading up the Mullica River Wilderness and staying at that camp. Its on the water, has a pump, and is probably a better choice with the state of Lower Forge.

 

[Dargo]

I think I took some pics, let me check when I get home today. Maybe think about heading up the Mullica River Wilderness and staying at that camp. Its on the water, has a pump, and is probably a better choice with the state of Lower Forge.

Yes, I may do that. But what is the distance from Batsto to Mullica RW site? It seems pretty close.

If it's close, are their some short hikes (explore) I can take from that site? Any ruins around there?

And please don't forget the pics

 

[Piney Boy]

Yes, I may do that. But what is the distance from Batsto to Mullica RW site? It seems pretty close.

If it's close, are their some short hikes (explore) I can take from that site? Any ruins around there?

And please don't forget the pics

Batsto to the Mullica River Wilderness Site is like 7 miles. Most of it is sand mixed with a tiny bit of green highway and a couple plank crossings. Personally, I think the way up to Lower Forge is a bit of a nicer hike, but I dont know if thats true with current conditions. The camp is nice though, against the water with a water pump and privy.
Couldn't fine a picture of the burn, but I do have some previous shots of the Batona from Batsto and the Forge too. Page through my picture files. Did add some recent pics of Belle Plain St. and the East Creek Trail pics though.

 

[Teegate]

Page through my picture files. Did add some recent pics of Belle Plain St. and the East Creek Trail pics though.

A few of them are not rotated properly and my neck is sore from trying to view them Could you rotate them and re-upload them? I tried before to do it with other members photo's, but aparently I do not have permissions to do that or I would.

EDIT: I can do it so I will take care of it.

Guy

 

[Dargo]

Batsto to the Mullica River Wilderness Site is like 7 miles. Most of it is sand mixed with a tiny bit of green highway and a couple plank crossings. Personally, I think the way up to Lower Forge is a bit of a nicer hike, but I dont know if thats true with current conditions. The camp is nice though, against the water with a water pump and privy.
Couldn't fine a picture of the burn, but I do have some previous shots of the Batona from Batsto and the Forge too. Page through my picture files. Did add some recent pics of Belle Plain St. and the East Creek Trail pics though.

7 miles. That's good, as it looked closer by the map. I thought it might only be 3-4. I don't feel like a really long hike but wanted a little more than 3-4. Thank you.

 

[Piney Boy]

Thanks Guy

 

[Piney Boy]

7 miles. That's good, as it looked closer by the map. I thought it might only be 3-4. I don't feel like a really long hike but wanted a little more than 3-4. Thank you.

If you dont mind a twelve miler, and can set up a relay car, try Carranza to Pakim Pond. Its like twelve something, but a nice hike with easy acess car camping available. You get Pakim Pond and some really nice plant life and Apple Pie Hill too, its a nice mix. Eitheir way have a great hike.

 

[Dargo]

If you dont mind a twelve miler, and can set up a relay car, try Carranza to Pakim Pond. Its like twelve something, but a nice hike with easy acess car camping available. You get Pakim Pond and some really nice plant life and Apple Pie Hill too, its a nice mix. Eitheir way have a great hike.

I'm not up for 12 this week. Frankly, I'm playing this weekend by ear as I hurt my foot sparing in my combat hapkido class last weekend. I can walk and it doesn't hurt too much but I'm getting X-rays just to be sure nothing is broken in there.

Thanks though, probably another time...

 

[Piney Boy]

I'm not up for 12 this week. Frankly, I'm playing this weekend by ear as I hurt my foot sparing in my combat hapkido class last weekend. I can walk and it doesn't hurt too much but I'm getting X-rays just to be sure nothing is broken in there.

Thanks though, probably another time...

Thats interesting, what style of martial arts is hapkido?
Careful with the foot than, even seven miles can put the big hurt on an already injured foot. I sectional hiked the A.T. in Maryland a couple of years ago, and instead of treating a foot injury and getting off the trail I thought I would just hike through the pain. Long story short, my foot was a nightmare for two+ months and I was off trails for 4.

 

[Piney Boy]

Hey Dargo,
I found a pick of Lower Forge from last Fall for you. It was real nice set off the trees. The area pictured got caught in the burn.

 

[Dargo]

Hey Dargo,
I found a pick of Lower Forge from last Fall for you. It was real nice set off the trees. The area pictured got caught in the burn.

So all those trees are chared/gone huh.........

Oh, and Hapkido is a Korean MA. Combat Hapkido is self-defense oriented. A lot of joint locks and such (many of the escort techniques used by police). It also has regular punches, kicks and grappling.

 

[Piney Boy]

So all those trees are chared/gone huh.........

Oh, and Hapkido is a Korean MA. Combat Hapkido is self-defense oriented. A lot of joint locks and such (many of the escort techniques used by police). It also has regular punches, kicks and grappling.

The trees are alive but burned, along with all the brush. It really is quite an ungainly sight.
Interesting about the Hapkido, years and years ago I took GoJu-Ru and I'll never forget what great shape it had me in as well as centered in life.