Hiking in NJ, Sunfish Pond

When most people think of NJ they think of the view on the Turnpike from the begining of the Soprano's.  NJ has one of the most varied Real Estate in the country.  From beautiful beaches to Mountains.

 Last weekend my son and I went back packing on the NJ portion of the Appalachian trail.  The Applachian trail runs up most of the East coast, I forget exactly where it begins and ends, but it fishes its way through many states. from Down south all the way up to New England.  There is a great book about the AT called "A Walk In The Woods" ....

Our hike started at the Delaware water gap, We started on the AT and took a branch off on the Dunnfield Hollow trail for the majority of the up hill hike.  With in minutes you feel like you are away from the world

The above picture is one of the first things you see on the trail, unfortunatley I only had my Blackberry with me, my cammera was in Germany with my Daughter last week....

The Trail Continued criss crossing the creek numerous times, which made for some fun back packing adventure, especially with 40 lbs on your back!!  According to the trail maps there is a 1000 foot gain in elevation on the trail, I think the majority of that was on the last 1/2 mile of the trail leading up to sunfish Pond

But the climb was worth it.  Sunfish pond is a Glacial pond that is more the size of a lake, this view is looking north from about the middle of the western shore.

We got a late start on our hike and after getting to the pond we set up camp at the back packer's camp site. we set up our tents, had dinner... put our food up in a tree to keep Bears away, and went to sleep.  Friday was a tough day, it was hot and sunny and our first experience hiking for miles with a full pack.

Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast and packed back up... We hiked around the pond along the eastern side on the Sunfish fire road, (more of a trail than a road)... and picked up the Turquoise trail which is a narrow trail that runs along the north side of the pond with many senic over looks of the pond

After the loop of the pond and a few stops along the way, first to filter some water, and a few just to climb on the rocks... We hopped back on the AT and hiked  back to the car.  The Hike out was much easier than the hike in, I spoke with another Dad that we met at the camp site who had me worried... he said the AT was a brutal hike up to the camp site... I sent him back on the trail we came in on, He must be cursing me, the AT was a much easier hike than the Dunnfield trail we took in!!!

I just wanted to share a few positive images of NJ... I just wish I had more than a cell phone to take pictures!

Have a great week, and dont forget to spend some time away from work to maintain your sanity!!

Rob