Parks and Recreation

Birch Trail

‘Yellow Square’
Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Dear Park Pond Area

DIRECTIONS: starting at the main entrance to Panther Valley take CR 517 South to Dear Park Road and turn left, follow this road past several private residences and you will come into the main parking area of the Park.  This is where your walk begins.  There is a map board showing the trails and a pocket where maps are usually placed for the hiker. Facing the poster if you look left that is where you will be returning from and looking right you will see the road continuing on, which is your starting point.
Note: driving south on 517 look left by the Allamuchy Ecumenical Church, the distant tree lines beyond the various fields are where you will be walking on part of your walk.

TRAIL INFORMATION:  The first part of your walk will be on a dirt road which is the service-road leading to the next parking area and eventually to Dear Park Pond.  No motor vehicles are allowed beyond the second parking area. Your walk on this road is about one half mile and is a gradual uphill climb. You will see the old Rutherford House and its small lake off to the right (This is not Dear Park Pond, which is further into the park).

This lake in September was completely covered by bright green vegetation, which made for some interesting photos. I don’t know if this occurs every year or if this was a one-time phenomenon. 

Just as you pass the house you will see the Birch Trail sign off to the left, at which point you head into the woods.  The second parking lot is just up the road from this trail marker and as a point of reference, the ‘Allamuchy Challenge’ conducted by the Allamuchy Elementary School last Fall began at this second parking lot.

Today’s walk is your typical thru the woods path, a well-worn narrow path with clear yellow markings on the trees.  Your walk will take you past some interesting small rock hills and hollows and in about a quarter mile you come across a small triangle where the Red Trail comes in from your right and meets the Birch/Yellow Trail, you continue on straight. The Red Trail heads back North toward Allamuchy Pond and our trail is heading toward 517 and then will turn south along the tree line and fields mentioned earlier.

I walked this path in September before the leaves changed and I didn’t get many places with clear views because of the leaves.  I believe this time of year you should get a much better picture of our area as this trail runs along the various fields just inside the tree line. Just prior to entering back into the main parking area you come a small dam that the trail goes over and to your left is another small wetlands area. 

This is a great place to stop and look closely over the marshland and muck and look for wildlife.  I saw a good size turtle and a big bull-frog along with lots of insects and birds.  When your finished looking continue on off the dam and you’re back by your car. I would suggest to all to pick up one of the small trail maps of this area and create your own trips by walking all the great trails in this wonderful State Park. If this were any closer it would literally be in our backyards!

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