Hiking – Geocaching the NJ Pine Barrens

[+elgecko]

Every year I take a canoe trip to the Pine Barrens. This year is no different. In July I’ll be heading there with several other people to paddle around the area to see the CP’s (Carnivorous Plants) and all the other nature that is all around.

I geocache and do find a few caches when out at this time, but many of the caches are deep in the forest which is accessible by the sand roads. Many of the spots on these sand roads look like giant traps for vehicles. My vehicle certainly would become victim to one of these traps.

 

 

So how to get these deep located caches… hike it!

 

My work was closed down May 26-29. Looks like May 26-28 would be a good time to take a hike in the Pine Barrens for some caches.

 

So first thing I had to do was pack up all the gear I would need for my outing.

 

I need a place to sleep.

 

 

Some cloths.

 

 

Food and stove.

 

 

Water.

 

 

Hygiene.

 

 

First aide, signal mirror, other useful items.

 

 

A place to stash all this stuff into.

 

 

[+elgecko]

Let’s head off into the great wilderness of the Pine Barrens.

 

 

Just some pics I took along the way.

 

 

Yep that’s rain spots all over the sign. Drizzled most of Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can tell where forest fires have blacked the trunks of some trees.

 

 

 

[+elgecko]

 

 

 

 

 

Oh look, it’s me and I’ve found a cache in the woods.

 

 

Some camp pics.

 

 

Hammock without the rain-fly on.

 

 

 

I want to eat the next day so every night the food gets hung in a tree.

Also I do not want anything that goes bump in the night to wonder into my camp area, so the food is 150-200’ away from the site.

 

[+elgecko]

Many areas in the Pine Barrens I have no cell service. So How do I let the wife know I’m OK so she does not worry? This handy dandy device called Spot.

 

 

Here’s a map of the hike I did.

Red trail was day 1 – 13.3 miles

Green trail was day 2 – 7.7 miles

Purple trail was day 3 – 4.5 miles back to the car.

 

 

I almost forgot…. I saw some carnivorous plants!

 

 

 

 

 

[tracerprix]

Wow! Looked like you had a great time. Did you hike by yourself? If so did the "bump" in the night take your picture?

 

Mike

[+elgecko]

Wow! Looked like you had a great time. Did you hike by yourself? If so did the "bump" in the night take your picture?

 

Mike

I did have a great time.

My hiking stick is also a monopod.

[+coggins]

Looks like a fantastic time. NJ?

Edited May 31, 2009 by coggins

[+belair56]

Nice photos, thanks for sharing.

[+briansnat]

Nice photos. I've often considered trying a backpacking trip in the Pine Barrens, but the mountains to the north always call my name. After seeing these pics I'll definitely put the Pine Barrens on my to do list. Thanks for sharing.

 

No run-ins with the Jersey Devil I guess?

[2brnot2b]

Did you catch sight of the Jersey Devil? It was spawned in the Pine Barrens, according to legend.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil