2018 - Hike 31 - September 29 - Jenny Jump State Park - Hope, NJ

Ghost Lake, Summit and Orchard Trails
Posted by Chris 9/30/18

Basics:
Length - About 5.5 miles
Elevation gain - 1200 feet
Nearest city - Hope, NJ is nearby
Difficulty - Moderate with lots of hills

The Day:
There were other things that needed to happen Saturday besides a hike and we didn't get a super early start.  So I turned to one of the very closest substantial hikes we know of.  We did this hike once before but I don't think it was 2018.

The trails:
The hike is sort a reverse balloon.  You start near the bathrooms in the campground and then walk the park road downhill for a few minutes before beginning to climb as the gravel road is left behind and the real trails begin.  As a fitness walk this is a very good hike with nice periods of moderate climbing alternated with rolling ridgelines and at least this time, a ton of minor streams to cross.  The biggest detractor for this hike is that I-80 is painfully close and can be heard for about 2/3 of the hike and sometimes you can see it too.  Also, the end of  the balloon is just an arbitrary spot just after crossing Ghost Lake on a grassy strip.  Still, the overall natural feel and the topology of the land are great.  If you were deaf or listening to music or something it would be perfect.

Pics by Brian




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