Culver Hearth Tower from Stony Lake – Stokes State Forest

August 13, 2022 – Sandyston, NJ

Problem: Reasonable

Size: Roughly 5 miles

Max elevation: 1,568 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 700 ft.

Route kind: Circuit

Purchase Map: Delaware Water Gap & Kittatinny Trails Map #122 – 2021

Free Map: Stokes State Forest North 2018

Trailhead parking: Stony Lake Day Use Area – Sandyston, NJ 07826

Open each day from 8:00 am to eight:00 pm. – Full service restrooms on web site

Entrance Payment: Free entry for the 2022 season

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Overview:

Stokes State Forest is situated within the Townships of Sandyston, Montague and Frankford in Sussex County, New Jersey. Stokes is comprised of 16,447 acres of mountainous woods within the Kittatinny Mountains, extending from the southern boundary of Excessive Level State Park southwestward to the jap boundary of the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

The Stony Lake Day Use Space has 45 picnic tables with adjoining grills situated subsequent to the eight-acre Stony Lake. Picnic tables and grills can be found on a primary come-first serve foundation. A toilet with flushing bathrooms is situated on web site. At present, swimming just isn’t permitted at Stony Lake, or any of the lakes in Stokes State Forest. Entrance charges are charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

A view of your entire Stokes State Forest could also be had from the Culver Hearth Tower which is located on Culver Ridge, previously referred to as Normanook, situated within the coronary heart of the Kittatinny Mountains, about one mile northeast of Culver Hole. The broad Wallkill and Paulins Kill Valleys, the most important a part of the forested Kittatinny Mountains from the Delaware Water Hole to Excessive Level, and stretches of Pike County, Pennsylvania and Orange County, NY, could also be seen from this vantage level.

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Historical past:

Stokes State Forest was named after Edward C. Stokes, governor of New Jersey from 1905 to 1908, who personally donated the primary 500 acres to the state to ascertain the park. The forest began with 5,932 acres after the State of New Jersey bought one other 5,432 acres within the Kittatinny Mountains. Further acquisitions through the years by the State of New Jersey, have introduced the forest to its present measurement of 16,447 acres.

Stokes State Forest was house to 2 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps through the 1930’s, Camp S-57 and Camp S-71. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC males of Stokes constructed Dawn Mountain Street, constructed numerous the forest’s intensive path system, erected the pavilions, lean-tos, and cabins, dammed streams to create Lake Ocquittunk and Skellinger Lake, and planted a whole lot of timber all through the forest. The New Jersey Faculty of Conservation now occupies the websites of the deserted CCC camps. Pictured under are members of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp S-51 in September of 1933 in Stokes State Forest.

Culvers Station Lookout was initially established in 1908 and the location was first referred to as the Normanook Hearth Tower. In 1918, a metal tower was constructed and was staffed by a state observer. The current Aermotor 47′ tower, with a 7’x7′ cab, was erected in 1933 and sits at an elevation of roughly 1,509 ft above sea stage. The lookout is situated within the Appalachian Path hall on Culver Ridge in Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, New Jersey. Culvers Station lately acquired a brand new coat of paint in 2022. It was positioned on the Nationwide Historic Lookout Register on August 1, 1992.

The Gren Anderson Shelter was in-built 1958 by members of the New York Part of the Inexperienced Mountain Membership in reminiscence of their president, 1956-57, underneath the sponsorship of the NY– NJ Path Convention.

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Trails Overview:

A 12.5-mile-long part of the Appalachian Path follows the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge by way of Stokes State Forest. Along with the Appalachian Path, there are greater than 63 miles of marked trails inside Stokes State Forest along with the 17-mile-long Blue Mountain Loop Path. Trails differ in size from one half mile to 4 miles, and over terrains starting from flat lowlands to rocky mountains. Lots of the trails join, providing the hiker a wide range of journeys from an hour to a full day.

Trails used on this hike:

Stony Brook Path (brown blazes – 1.6 miles) ~ Begins out heading northeast on a woods highway that ascends very regularly. After about 0.8 mile, the brown-blazed path turns proper and heads in a southerly course because it ascends extra steeply on a rocky path. After 1.6 miles and an elevation acquire of about 458 ft, it ends at a T-intersection with the Appalachian Path on the forested ridge.

Appalachian Path (white blazes – 1.1 mile) ~ Heads south alongside the forested ridge for simply over a mile, gaining about 160 ft of elevation upon arriving on the Culvers Station Lookout Tower.

Tower Path (inexperienced blazes – 1.1 mile) ~ Descends the ridge steeply at first, requiring using each arms and ft in sure locations for the primary a number of hundred yards or so. After crossing Dawn Mountain Street, the path descends far more regularly, however stays an ankle breaker kind path. The path loses about 525 ft of elevation in 1.1 miles as much as the junction with the Stony Brook Path. The Tower Path is co-aligned with the Stony Brook Path for the final 1/2 mile alongside a straightforward strolling woods highway till it reaches the car parking zone.

All the paths are nicely marked and nicely maintained. The one foot visitors that we noticed was on the AT close to the fireplace tower and a pair pairs of hikers on the Tower Path.

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Hike Overview:

The New York-New Jersey Path Convention calls this “one of the well-liked circuit hikes in Northwest New Jersey.” I’m not certain about that as we didn’t see too many individuals on the paths or vehicles within the massive car parking zone. However, it’s a very good hike in a scenic space with a number of factors of curiosity.

Appalachian Path, a lookout tower and panoramic views, you actually can’t go fallacious with this hike. Throw in frivolously trafficked trails, a historic Appalachian Path shelter, loads of parking, full service restrooms on the trailhead and free admission and you’ve got your self a superb day on the paths. The one unfavorable factor that I can say is that every one the streams had been dry after we did this hike. Apart from that it was a very good hike. Apart from the world surrounding the fireplace tower, the paths had been nicely shaded. The average elevation acquire makes this a superb hike for these heat summer time days. In hindsight, I’d have achieved this loop counterclockwise, ascending on the Tower Path which is barely harder and descending on the Stony Brook Path which might have been a a lot simpler downhill after I was just a little drained.

Please Observe: I wouldn’t advocate doing the Tower Path if the bottom is moist or icy. A sturdy pair of mountain climbing boots with good ankle help is advisable for this hike.

Upon arriving on the Stony Brook Day Use Space after a 1-1/2-hour drive, we took a stroll to take a look at Stony Lake and at 8:45am, there was nobody else round. The big car parking zone was practically empty.

The water stage was just a little low on the day that we visited.

The restrooms had been clear with working water and flush bathrooms. Greater than sufficient stalls in each the Males’s and Women rooms with loads of rest room paper, full cleaning soap dispensers and air hand dryers.

This clockwise lollipop loop begins and ends on the Stony Lake Day Use Space. Ascending on the Stony Brook Path and descending on the Tower Path.

The ascent to the ridge is an extended, however extra gradual climb to the fireplace tower. Descending on the Tower Path is considerably steeper on a particularly rocky path.

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The Hike:

The hike begins at a gated woods highway to the left of the massive kiosk, simply ft from the car parking zone. That is the route of three separate trails – the Blue Mountain Loop Path (blue blazes), the Tower Path (inexperienced blazes) and the Stony Brook Path (brown blazes). You’ll be following the brown-blazed Stony Brook Path for the primary 1.6 miles of the hike so take note of the brown blazes. Comply with the woods highway because it regularly heads uphill in an easterly course. In about 530 ft, The blue-blazed Blue Mountain Loop Path leaves to the left, however you must proceed forward, following the brown-blazed Stony Brook Path.

In one other 200 yards or so, the Stony Brook Path turns left at a junction with the Coursen Path which begins on the fitting. Then in about 460 yards from the junction with the Coursen Path, the green-blazed Tower Path leaves to the fitting. This shall be your return route, however for now, proceed forward following the brown-blazed Stony Brook Path. The path quickly narrows in locations and the path floor turns into fairly rocky. In about 0.8 miles from the trailhead, the Stony Brook Path turns sharp proper, crossing a moist space and begins to ascend just a little extra steeply with Stony Brook (dry after we visited) to the fitting of the path.

When the path reaches Dawn Mountain Street, it turns left and runs alongside the paved highway for about 100 ft, turns proper and reenters the woods, now climbing extra steeply. In about 0.2 mile, a blue-blazed facet path (scarcely blazed) seems on the left. The Gren Andersen Shelter (with water and latrine) is only a brief distance down this path. You might need to take a brief detour to take a look at the shelter which is utilized by thru-hikers and backpackers.

The open entrance lean-to was in-built 1958 of oak logs minimize from standing timber on the web site. The Inexperienced Mountain Membership contributed all different supplies and labor, however upon completion the shelter could be the property and accountability of Stokes State forest. The title “Gren Anderson Shelter” was chosen as a tribute to their president who had died the yr earlier than, whereas nonetheless in workplace. A fund-raising marketing campaign raised about 260 {dollars}, which proved to be an ample sum to fulfill all bills.

When you’re achieved testing the Gren Anderson Shelter, retrace your steps to the Stony Brook Path and proceed forward. In one other 150 ft, the Stony Brook Path ends at a T-intersection with the Appalachian Path (AT). Flip proper at this junction and observe the white blazes of the AT southwest alongside the forested ridge. There are not any views on this part of the AT. The path, though rocky, just isn’t as unhealthy as another sections of the AT on this space.

In a couple of mile, the green-blazed Tower Path begins on the fitting. You’ll return to this spot to proceed the loop, however for now, proceed forward on the AT for about one other 250 ft to the location of the Culvers Station Lookout Tower.

There’s a picnic desk by a rock outcrop with a west-facing view that makes for a great place to take a break.

A Black Vulture hovering above the ridge.

Culvers Station Lookout Tower, which continues to be in use for recognizing forest fires, was erected in 1933. When it’s manned, you’ll be able to climb up the 47′ tower and go contained in the 7’x7′ cab.

The New Jersey Forest Hearth Service maintains a system of 21 hearth towers at strategic places all through the state. These towers are staffed with hearth observers who monitor for smoke of their geographic area, speaking with different close by towers to pinpoint the placement of smoke. At the least one tower in every division is operated each time the woods are dry sufficient to burn and all towers are staffed through the months of March, April, Might, October and November.

The photographs under had been taken from just under the cab. It actually is price it to climb the tower a minimum of half technique to get pleasure from these fabulous views that stretch all the best way into New York and Pennsylvania.

Excessive Level, the best elevation within the State of New Jersey, is 13.5 miles away should you observe the Appalachian Path (AT) north. The AT passes close to the bottom of the monument.

Stony Lake is seen under, the beginning and ending level of this hike.

When you’re achieved having fun with the 360° views from the tower, retrace your steps on the AT to the junction with the green-blazed Tower Path. Flip left and observe the inexperienced blazes to a rock outcrop with extra west-facing views. Simply to the fitting, the path descends steeply over rock slabs for a number of hunred yards. You’ll have to make use of each your arms and ft to deal with this part of path. It’s in all probability not a good suggestion to hike this part of the path in moist or icy situations.

As soon as previous the preliminary steep part, the grade moderates because it descends on a particularly rocky footpath. Cautious consideration ought to be paid to keep away from twisting an ankle or tripping.

In about 0.4 mile, the Tower Path crosses Dawn Mountain Street diagonally to the fitting. The path now descends much more reasonably, however the tough rocky path stays an ankle breaker.

In about 0.7 mile from the junction with the AT, the Tower Path crosses a picket footbridge over Stony Brook constructed by the volunteers of the West Jersey Path Crew in 2019. A brief distance past, you’ll attain the junction with the brown-blazed Stony Brook Path. Flip left and retrace your steps a couple of 1/2 mile, again to the car parking zone, the place the hike started.

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Overview:

A extremely good hike in an space that doesn’t appear to get a lot foot visitors. The car parking zone on the finish of the hike was as empty as after we started the hike. The views from the fireplace tower are the spotlight of the hike, however the tranquil environment make this trek worthwhile. We drove 1-1/2 hours to do that hike and it was well worth the drive. On the best way again we stopped to select up some recent corn, Jersey Tomatoes and a Cherry-Peach Pie which had been all scrumptious. As said beforehand, I’d do that hike in reverse, ascending on the Tower Path and descending on the extra knee pleasant Stony Brook Path.

Execs:

Culvers Station Lookout, panoramic views, frivolously trafficked trails, nicely marked and maintained trails, scenic panorama.

Cons:

Rocky ankle-breaker kind trails.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

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