Hi Everyone:
 
Summers gone, we are getting back to the old grind.  I had a couple of interesting days hiking out at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area that I would like to share with you.  We are going to be looking to see if an old trail still exists.  The area we will be in is just North of Millbrook Village which if you look on a map is about 7 miles North of the Water Gap and I80.  

I became interested in this particular area in the beginning of the Summer when I hiked this trail and found that it stopped on a wooded bluff overlooking Sambo Brook as it cascades down the mountain in a beautiful small ravine.  I'm there scratching my head,  "I'm sure the old map I had looked at showed the trail continuing down the slope, crossing the brook and then re-crossing the brook further down and finally heading South adjacent to the Delaware River."  The terrain was extremely rough and I still had a long way to go just to get the river, so I opted to come back another day and get a nice early start to allow myself plenty of sunlight.  I kept thinking what a beautiful hike it was into this bluff - walking through rhododendron, large stands of Hemlock and to boot a bright green carpet of fern along the trail.  You could also see the potential for some scenic vistas through the trees in the late fall and winter, as the trail skirted along where the mountain suddenly started to fall away steeply towards the river.  I also wanted to look at the three sets of the Sambo Rapids on the Delaware which I could remember from several kayak trips, I'm on a quest!!

I returned September 20, 2009 dressed for a rough trip.  To make a long story shorter the trail was now non-existent, at least from the bluff to the river.  I did run into several trail blazes but they now were meaningless as I was taking the path of least resistance and even that was interesting.  I did cross the brook twice taking advantage of easier looking terrain but otherwise there was no trail.  I finally reached the river, I would say the last fifty feet before the water was probably the "real trail" because there was even a stairway of five boulders to get you down to rivers edge.  There was a trail heading south just within the edge of the tree-line but this ended at the first set of rapids.  

My trip was not in vain; as a matter of fact I really enjoyed myself because of the beauty of the topography and fauna.  The trail ended again at a site known as the Sambo Slide - this is where an entire area of forest about two hundred feet wide reaching back up the mountain about another 500 feet just literally slid down the mountain into the river, the only thing left is fairly smooth rock.  My photos don't show this well but I believe they give you the idea.  I tried today to reach the top of that site but I started too late in the afternoon and opted for plan B which I was very happy with the results.  I will let my photos be your tour guide.  I will give you these names as references Sambo Brook, Sambo Pond (these are the last photos in this email that I took today) Sambo Slide, Sambo Rapids and the other side of the river in the photos is Sambo Island, sick of the name Sambo yet!??!

Before I go, keep in mind Millbrook Day which is October 3rd & 4th - Sat. & Sun. that is when this old village comes alive.  All the artisans are in costume of the day and all the old time skills are demonstrated, blacksmithing, candle-making, slate roof making, sewing etc. etc. etc. Its a great way to visit the past and have a great day in the beautiful National Park - leaves are already changing!!
 
Have a great weekend
 
Charlie Fineran
 
Director of Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission
Allamuchy Historical Society - President