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Sunrise Step Off


Packanack

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Special thanks to Citicar for all the caches we visited today. I think this one goes down as the Citicar,Sunrise Stepoff Festival. And thanks to all the rest of the crew. What a truly enjoyable morning with fine, fine company , lots of chatter,stories and laughs. If every one of our step offs are as much fun, I am sure we will be doing them for a long time to come. And being that today was the first day of fall, we will be looking for a foliage step off in October. When Weathernowcast gets a look at this picture, he will be glad he had to scoot.

 

4fd761cb-6e17-4084-97ac-758290dc5b9d.jpg

 

I feel so hurt................how did you edit me out of the photograph?

 

Don't feel bad, we managed to get a tree to stand in for you. Feel free to photoshop your face onto it!

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I received an E Mail asking if I could set up Sunrise Hikes for October and I propose the following. Both are Class C hikes with overground distance of about 5 miles, over varied terrain, offering viewpoints. Our practice is to stepoff as close to 7 AM as is possible and to hike in the range of about 3 to 4 hours. Please indicate interest here on the forum. These hikes have been well received by participants.

 

SUNRISE STEPOFF PRELIMINARY DATE OCTOBER 14, 2007, INDIAN LOOP TRAIL , STERLING FOREST, NEW YORK, NO CACHES PRESENT IN STERLING FOREST, HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED IRON FURNACES OF THE EASTERN HIGHLANDS IRON REGION AND SEVERAL VIEWS

 

 

SUNRISE STEPOFF PRELIMINARY DATE--OCTOBER 21, 2007 LEAVING FROM SPLIT ROCK RESERVOIR PARKING LOT AND HIKING WHITE OVER TO HAWK WATCH, TRAIL BREAKFAST AT THE OVERLOOK, SPEND SOME TIME OBSERVING HAWKS AND FOLIAGE AND RETURN OVER BLUE, MAY ACQUIRE SEVERAL LOCAL CACHES AS HIKERS DEEM APPROPRIATE.

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Hawk Watch Hike out of Split Rock Reservoir

 

The hike description is provided by a person of unquestionable knowledge and experience, although his ratings tend to be lower than actual, I would still agree that this is a solid Class C, moderate hike.

 

Split Rock from Bergen County is best accessed via Rt 287 to Route 23 North to Kinnelon Road, to Boonton Twsp, it takes me about 20 minutes from Wayne at that time of day, easy trip, a wonderful area especially for paddling.

 

No caches in Sterling Forest, Indian Loop Trail is considered a must do introductory hike to the Sterling Forest area. Sterling Forest is an area still under review and currently no caches can be placed.

Edited by Packanack
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If I'm free that weekend I'm interested in the hawk watch loop. Every time we do the Split Rock loop we skip that little section on the south side of split rock road because we are too tired :huh: I have been to hawk watch once, but approached from the south so I think I missed some of the trails.

 

-Laura

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SUNRISE STEPOFF DATE OCTOBER 14, 2007, INDIAN LOOP TRAIL , STERLING FOREST, NEW YORK, NO CACHES PRESENT IN STERLING FOREST, HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED IRON FURNACES OF THE EASTERN HIGHLANDS IRON REGION AND SEVERAL VIEWS We will also do the Furnace Loop which adds about a mile to the distance.

 

Details and Directions on How to Get There

 

This hike is a go, for Sunday, starting at about 7:30 AM from the parking area. Afterwards you may wish to assist Avroair in setting up caches for Pirates of Harriman, per his request on the Cache Page. And for those energetic souls, there is a nice loop hike out of the nearby Elk Pen Parking area which has several nice caches.

 

Pirates

Edited by Packanack
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three caches are within the vicinity of this hike

neils trucking overlook GCNCWD appears to be on the loop

feral feline GCGC3X is south of the furnace

a tribute to the corp GCA627 is just north of the loop on the at and has been approached from the indian trail loop 8/7/2004 team demp

the views from the postings look promising

hope to see you there

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It is readily apparent why this hike is considered a classic . The treadway was quite a bit different than that usually found in our area. It wasn't beaten to death. The views and variety of terrain along with the historical landmarks were quite interesting.

That and the good company (always a plus) and the exquisite weather and colors made this one fine day.

 

SUNRISE STEPOFF PRELIMINARY DATE--OCTOBER 21, 2007 LEAVING FROM SPLIT ROCK RESERVOIR PARKING LOT AND HIKING WHITE OVER TO HAWK WATCH, TRAIL BREAKFAST AT THE OVERLOOK, SPEND SOME TIME OBSERVING HAWKS AND FOLIAGE AND RETURN OVER BLUE, MAY ACQUIRE SEVERAL LOCAL CACHES AS HIKERS DEEM APPROPRIATE.

 

 

 

Date Change to:

SUNRISE STEPOFF PRELIMINARY DATE--OCTOBER 28, 2007 LEAVING FROM SPLIT ROCK RESERVOIR PARKING LOT AND HIKING WHITE OVER TO HAWK WATCH, TRAIL BREAKFAST AT THE OVERLOOK, SPEND SOME TIME OBSERVING HAWKS AND FOLIAGE AND RETURN OVER BLUE, MAY ACQUIRE SEVERAL LOCAL CACHES AS HIKERS DEEM APPROPRIATE

 

Date Changed on above hike. Which will probably be the last Sunrise Stepoff for Calendar Year 2007.

Edited by Packanack
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A friend sent information regarding some hikes in the Palisades/Eastern Bergen County area- and the leader came highly recommended.

As an added plus I am told that he is a member of the Hackensack River Canoe and Kayak Club--

 

I have had opportunity in the past to paddle with them--Northern NJ Paddlers can not do any better than that.

 

But the Hikes can be seen at: Palisades Hikes

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Date Change to:

SUNRISE STEPOFF PRELIMINARY DATE--OCTOBER 28, 2007 LEAVING FROM SPLIT ROCK RESERVOIR PARKING LOT AND HIKING WHITE OVER TO HAWK WATCH, TRAIL BREAKFAST AT THE OVERLOOK, SPEND SOME TIME OBSERVING HAWKS AND FOLIAGE AND RETURN OVER BLUE, MAY ACQUIRE SEVERAL LOCAL CACHES AS HIKERS DEEM APPROPRIATE

 

Date Changed on above hike. Which will probably be the last Sunrise Stepoff for Calendar Year 2007.

 

 

Do you have coords for this? (parking is most important, but also so we can look for what caches might be found on our journey).

 

-- not promising anything, but I will check with the boss . . . .

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(Parking Area) N 40° 57.757 W 074° 27.525

Note: Approximate coordinates of parking area on Splitrock Road.

 

GCGQ2T PQ from this waypoint

 

There are a number of fine caches in this area. This is a Five Star Cache Area. But the Bergen County Folk do not venture through the wilds of Passaic County, without escort--me-- to go to Morris County. :laughing:

 

The actual goal is to get to the Hawk Watch and actuall see some Hawks riding the thermals on the way South--It is part of the list of 5455 things to do before you die, you know like take out the garbage 3000 times.

Edited by Packanack
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I was not eliminating it from consideration as we needed to pass by it. :( But we are a consensus group and there is no agenda as such. :( Mellow is our motto. ;) The most intense cachers we have ever had on one of our hikes has been the Straatmaker kids :( Come to think of it they were the most fun.

Why do you want to know ? :( I may have told you too much already. :laughing:

Edited by Packanack
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I was not eliminating it from consideration as we needed to pass by it. But we are a consensus group and there is no agenda as such. Mellow is our motto.

Why do you want to know ? I may have told you too much already.

The Maze is the only cache up there I haven't found. I DNF'd it. And, I have a spot up there (I believe it was on the Blue Trail) that I want to place a cache at. I'm hoping to join the hike.

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The committee for acceptance would be most happy to have you come with us. BTW, some people who come are not even cachers, we tolerate them and they tolerate us--hard to tell who has more to tolerate. This is an open hike that sometimes involves placing and finding caches. Sunday we hope to see some migrating Hawks and do some caches

 

When we say all are welcomed we mean that absolutely, you need not be bashful about joining the usual cast of characters.Come out for a walk

Edited by Packanack
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Crap. My alarm clock automatically adjusts for DST, and apparently did so last night. I was up and out, ready to go at 5:45 . . . and then my car clock reads 6:45 . . . . there is no way that I can make it to the parking area in 30 minutes. Sorry, guys. I hope that you didn't wait too long for me.

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We waited a little bit , but thought that you may have been put off by the road closed sign. But we got underway just as the sunlight was hitting the western shore of the lake and there was an explosion of fall colors. I would have been content to turn around and head home at that point, my day having been made by the beauty, but if I had, I would have missed one of the best caching experiences I have had, we hit a few caches, again had a great group, got to meet Perrito , finally, saw some great views , hit some challenges, we all made it across the streams, my concerns about screwing up on the loop plan turned out to be not the case. The trail we took down from Hawk Watch was not blazed or marked on the main trail map, but it is there in a fashion. The weather was wonderful, a cool stiff breeze and blue clear skies . Thanks guys for another great morning out.

Edited by Packanack
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Thanks to Packanack for another great Sunrise hike. This one especially showcased his exceptional organizational and leadership skills....I didn't even have to take the map out of my pack today.

 

This was a great hike that had it all. Beautiful weather, even a chill in the air that we haven't enjoyed yet this season. A bunch of caches. Wonderful vistas. Hawks and other flying critters. Challenging stream crossings. Some vigorous climbs. Unmarked trails. Ruins. Mines? Abandoned vehicles. And last but not least, fine companionship. Special kudos to our youngest hiker today who walked nearly a mile for each of his birthdays and he didn't get all that much help from dad. I'd be walking for a long time to match his feat.

 

It was nice to finally make my way out to Split Rock and this sure won't be my last visit.

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B)-->

QUOTE(brian b @ Oct 29 2007, 07:18 AM) 3135069[/snapback]

Those pics are awsome! Does anyone have a track-log of the hike, as I would love to get down there and check out the furnace.

 

Be careful. The area below the dam, including the furnace is off limits and heavily posted. If you are found down there they will arrest you and prosecute. I know someone who it happened to.

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Be careful. The area below the dam, including the furnace is off limits and heavily posted. If you are found down there they will arrest you and prosecute. I know someone who it happened to.

 

Brian,

There were no postings down there that we saw. I do remember what looked like a posting that had been torn down on a tree in front of the furnaces though.

 

Why is it off limits? Is it due to it being dangerous or to keep it from being vandalised?

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I know someone who it happened to.

 

So , exactly how much was your fine ? B) Seriously, I did not see any postings at all coming up the woods road and I looked, because I would think there would be signs to stay away from the furnaces , etc. etc. The only sign I saw was up top that said keep out, and that was so people would not fall down the cliff face.

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Be careful. The area below the dam, including the furnace is off limits and heavily posted. If you are found down there they will arrest you and prosecute. I know someone who it happened to.

 

Brian,

There were no postings down there that we saw. I do remember what looked like a posting that had been torn down on a tree in front of the furnaces though.

 

Why is it off limits? Is it due to it being dangerous or to keep it from being vandalised?

 

Not sure why it's off limits, but it's Jersey City property and they made it clear access to the area was not part of the recreation easement granted to the DEC. Signs may have been torn down, but they are usually prominently displayed around the dam. Hey, it's the reason there has not been a geocache down there, or I would have had one years ago.

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The furnaces are interesting and I'm happy we weren't caught trespassing. I guess ignorance of the rules would be no defense. If they really didn't want people checking out the furnaces then maybe they should just fence them off like in Waywayanda.

 

The ruins near Half Centenarian (GCT698) are more intriguing. There are remains of foundations, most of a chimney, along with a large dam..all out in the middle of the woods. Of course, things were different how ever many years ago the dam was built. It must've been a busy place at one time. I suspect there might be more out there but we didn't have much time to look.

Edited by ramapo
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The ruins near Half Centenarian (GCT698) are more intriguing. There are remains of foundations, most of a chimney, along with a large dam..all out in the middle of the woods. Of course, things were different how ever many years ago the dam was built. It must've been a busy place at one time. I suspect there might be more out there but we didn't have much time to look.

 

I visited those ruins along with Tiffany's Slaves and the archaeologist Ed Lenik. TS thought they might be the remains of a colonial forge and invited Lenik to come along to examine them. I think his initial feeling was that there was no forge there, rather it was the remains of the late 19th and early 20th century mining operation.

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An idea for a future sunrise stepoff. Starting on

Westbrook Rd, take the Hewitt Butler north to the yellow blazed Burnt Meadow trail. It's about 6 miles and a nice hike, with plenty of caches. A few are bushwacks to nice views.

 

Leave a car or two at the end so you can drive back instead of walking.

 

BrianSnat suggested this one for the future, I am posting it here, just so we don't forget it , we will have to figure the logistics and date.

 

Rockaway Township has a link to the Iron Furnaces and Mines.

 

http://www.rtlibrary.org/history.html#furnaces

 

We still have the West Side to visit.

Edited by Packanack
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QUOTE(ThirstyMick @ Nov 8 2007, 06:17 AM)

 

Don't leave candy in your car when you park at a trailhead!!

 

 

Black bear hmmmph....Doesn't Klizich live up that way ????

 

In another couple of weeks it should be time to do the "Bear Hunt " again, anyone interested ?

 

Last time we bagged 3. Possibles include Laurel Pond Trail or Bearfort Waters. Any interest ? Let's go looking for bears. We are especially interested in taking slow movers, slower than me, maybe we should invite BrianSnat. I have an uncached area where I am planning on placing in the next week or so.

 

 

The Bear Sighting thread inspires another Sunrise Step Off, any one interested , won't be for several weeks. Giving time for the leaves to drop, but before the bears den . Post interest here.

IMSPIDER Logged this in today.

Log Date: 11/8/2007

Holangee and I were caching along the Pumphouse trail today. The hiding place was ingenious. It was not hard to find but it was hard to see. Thanks for the cache. As we were heading back to the trail we spotted four medium sized bears just to the west of us on the ridge. This was my first sighting - ever. It is an exhilerating experience.

Edited by Packanack
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