<<<Hikes in NJ - Trails Less Taken

Point Mountain - Hunterdon County

Park Summary: Small park in Hunterdon County with a nice overlook and a trail by the Musconetcong River.

 

This is a local park more suitable for someone looking for scenic easy/short hikes under 4 miles, for a short hike to a viewpoint, or stroll along a river. This is not the park for a hiker looking for a challenge.

 

Mileage: 3.7 miles. Steep rocky incline that quickly arrives at the overlook – 180° panorama of the surrounding hills, valleys and farmland (935’ elevation). This route then follows the ridge, skirts the edge of a wheat field, re-enters the woods and follows the river back to your car.

 

Even shorter routes:

• It’s only about .5 mile up to the overlook… could go up and then just come back down for a brisk 1-miler with a great payoff.

• The Riverwalk trail (BLUE) follows the river. Could make an under 2 mile scenic loop or so with that.

**Trails have a decent amount of poison ivy along its edges.

 

Map: Can be found on the Hunterdon Park System site. The trails are marked with colored markers – but the map doesn’t note these colors, just the names. The trail kiosk had a place for maps, but was empty the day we came – so print it from the site. A similar route to the one described here can be found in "Hiking the Jersey Highlands" by George Petty.

 

Parking: Rt 287 to 78 W to 31 N – detailed directions here. There is a small parking lot and a trail kiosk. It's about 1-1.25 hour from central Jersey (New Brunswick area).

 

Restrooms: None. There are a couple of gas stations on 31 N.

 

Hike Directions:The trail starts from the trail along a rocky path. Not very far in, the trail splits. Follow the ORANGE (Ridge Trail). BLUE goes left (Riverwalk Trail)

 

The trail is quite rocky and somewhat steep. You can see Point Mountain Road and some homes peek through the trees in spots and there is some slight road noise but otherwise it’s a very pretty trail.

At about .5 miles you arrive at the overlook. A large rocky outcrop overlooks the surrounding area.

 

Shortly after that, the YELLOW Overlook Trail goes down to the right. Continue following the ORANGE Ridge Trail. It is also blazed RED – not exactly sure why, or if that is supposed to be orange as well.

 

Continue along the ridge, following the easy to spot ORANGE markers. There are no views along the ridge.

 

At about 1.6 miles there is a little stream and a wet area.

 

Arrive at the field shortly after. The trail map shows mowed trails around the fields if you’d like to add them to your hike.

 

Follow the ORANGE markers along the left edge of the field. Go through the woods briefly, to a second field.

 

It is not clear here. If you look to right, you will see markers – believe this takes you around the mowed trails around the fields.

 

Instead, follow the mowed path on the left of the field – there are no markers this way.

 

At about 2.2 miles, you reconnect with the BLUE trail on the left side of the field, in the far corner. It is hard to see until you approach it, and there are no trail markers visible, just some signs about the winter wheat and hunting permits. If you turn around and face the field, you will see BLUE markers on a tree.

 

At about 2.4 miles, you start to follow along the Musconetcong River.

 

At about 2.6, watch for the trail split in a Y – it’s not obvious. There are markers on the right near the water. Continue on the right side and hug the river. The left goes to the parking lot as well, but you will miss walking along the river.

 

At a little over 3 miles, cross Point Mountain Rd. You could turn left here and walk a short distance down the road to your car if you wanted to end your hike.

 

Continue following the BLUE trail. The trail becomes quite overgrown now, with some thorn bushes – I imagine most people don’t take this part of the trail. There wasn’t much to see, so you are best skipping it unless you just want the exercise.

 

The trail follows the river for a bit then heads left and loops around at around 3.3 miles, heading back toward the lot, parallel to Musconetcong River Rd.  When you arrive at the Pt. Mountain Road again, cross it to get to the lot.