Raven Rock State Park: Raven Rock Loop Trail (Blog Hike #1079; Golden Staff Hike)

Trail: Raven Rock Loop Trail
Hike Location: Raven Rock State Park
Geographic Location: west of Lillington, NC (35.46188, -78.91150)
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A loop hike, mostly easy but with 1 long set of wooden stairs. 
Park Information: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/raven-rock-state-park
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming March 27, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From Lillington, take US 421 west 6.2 miles to Raven Rock Road and turn right on Raven Rock Rd.  Raven Rock Rd. deadends at the park entrance in 3.3 miles.  Park in the large parking lot for the Raven Rock Loop Trail on the right just after you enter the park or in any of the lots near the Visitor Center.

The hike: Originally named Patterson's Rock after an early settler who found refuge here when his canoe capsized, Raven Rock stretches for a mile and towers up to 150 feet above the Cape Fear River.  The rock is located 40 miles southwest of Raleigh on the geological boundary between the Piedmont to the west and the coastal plain to the east.  Raven Rock is part of the Piedmont's erosion-resistant rocks, and it became exposed when the softer rock and sediment of the coastal plain eroded away.  The rock became the centerpiece of 4667-acre Raven Rock State Park in 1969 due to an act of the North Carolina General Assembly.

            Raven Rock State Park is light on amenities, but it does feature a cozy 24-site developed campground, some picnic areas, and paddling on the Cape Fear River.  This park's main attraction is its trails, of which it has many that total 26 miles of hiking, 13.5 miles of mountain biking, and 8 miles of horseback riding.  The park's signature hiking trail is the popular Raven Rock Loop Trail, which is the trail described here.  Not only does this trail take you to Raven Rock, but it also passes a scenic river overlook and takes you through some nice Piedmont forest.

Start of Raven Rock Loop Trail

            The Raven Rock Loop Trail forms a true loop, and this description goes clockwise around the loop by heading north from the northwest corner of the large trailhead parking lot.  The Raven Rock Loop Trail is marked with orange plastic circles, and the abundant trail markings combined with the wide, well-worn path makes it difficult to lose your way.  The initial segment of trail seems to follow an old road as it gradually descends through the usual Piedmont mixture of pine and broadleaf trees.

Descending gradually on Raven Rock Loop Trail

            Just shy of 0.4 miles, you reach a trail intersection.  The Fish Traps and Northington Ferry Trails continue straight, and both of those trails head for the Cape Fear River.  Our trail turns right to stay atop the bluff; watch for the orange circles.

Cape Fear River overlook

            At 0.85 miles, you reach the point the trail map calls "Overlook."  This point indeed stands atop a cliff roughly 100 feet above the Cape Fear River, but the trees have sufficiently grown up so that only a sliver of the river can be seen.  Past the overlook, the trail continues east, and soon you reach the first noticeable elevation change: a downgrade that uses some wooden steps built into the ground.

Stairs at base of Raven Rock

            1.2 miles into the hike, you reach the trail intersection at the top of Raven Rock.  The loop trail continues to the right, and we will go that way eventually.  First turn left and descend a long wooden staircase to reach the base of Raven Rock.  You should go both left and right on the short exploratory trail at the bottom of the stairs, as interesting sights can be seen each direction.  To the left is a large rock shelter, and to the right is where Raven Rock meets the Cape Fear River.  This area was popular when I came here on a Saturday morning in mid-September.  Take your time and see all there is to see.

Raven Rock and Cape Fear River

Rock shelter in Raven Rock

            Climb back up the stairs, then continue straight to continue the Raven Rock Loop Trail.  The two ends of the Little Creek Trail exit left in quick order, and you could add that 1.5 mile loop if you wanted to extend the hike.  I had a football game to attend that afternoon, so I stayed on the Raven Rock Loop Trail.

Hiking near Little Creek

            The next segment of trail stays near Little Creek.  A decent amount of rhododendron grows here, and I heard a woodpecker searching for lunch in a tree.  A gradual climb that gains 100 feet over 0.25 miles returns you to the trailhead elevation at 2.3 miles.  Ignore the short American Beech Trail that exits left, and return to the parking lot at 2.5 miles.

White Clay Creek State Park: Bryan's Field Trail (Blog Hike #1078)

Trail: Bryan's Field Trail
Hike Location: White Clay Creek State Park
Geographic Location: north of Newark, DE (39.72763, -75.72936)
Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A loop hike through old farm fields and past the Mason-Dixon Monument.
Park Information: https://www.destateparks.com/park/white-clay-creek/
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 31, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From Newark, take SR 72 north 5 miles to this park's signed Possum Hill Parking Area on the left.  Pay the park entrance fee, and park in the blacktop lot.

The hike: Located in extreme northwest Delaware flush against the Pennsylvania State Line, White Clay Creek State Park protects 3559 acres of reverting farm fields.  The park was established in 1968 when overdevelopment in northern Delaware encouraged state leaders to buy small pieces of land for recreation.  In 1975, these land plots were consolidated and named Walter S. Carpenter State Park to honor the former President and Chairman of the DuPont Corporation.  Additional purchases and donations enlarged the park to the size we see today.  The park's name changed in 1995, and the current name refers to the kaolin, or white clay, that was once mined in this area.

            Recreation remains the park's main focus today, and the park offers several picnic areas, a disc golf course, and a playground but no developed campground.  For hikers, the park offers 33 different trails totaling over 41 miles.  This hike features the Bryan's Field Trail, which explores several of the many old farm fields in this park.  Even better, the Bryan's Field Trail passes the Mason-Dixon Monument, a key point in the survey of the famous Mason-Dixon line.  Thus, this hike offers some national history in addition to the local farming history.

Trailhead at Possum Hill Parking Area

            From the restroom building and information kiosk at the Possum Hill Parking Area, head downhill on the asphalt entrance trail, then turn left to begin heading clockwise around the Bryan's Field Trail.  Marked with blue trail markers, the Bryan's Field Trail curves right as it heads gradually downhill through an old field that is now a warm sunny prairie.  The asphalt quickly runs out, and the trail surface becomes dirt, which it will remain for the rest of this hike.

Pond with algae

            At 0.2 miles, you reach a floating dock on a small pond that has a thick covering of algae.  I hoped to see some wildlife around this pond, but all was still and quiet when I came here.  Past the pond, the trail continues gradually downhill, and soon it exits the prairie and enters the woods.  Vehicle noise from busy SR 72 through the woods to the left is your near constant companion, but otherwise the hiking is pleasant.

Hiking through the prairie

            At 0.5 miles, you reach a trail intersection where the Bryan's Field Trail Shortcut exits right.  We will continue straight to hike the full Bryan's Field Trail eventually, but first turn right to reach a point of interest 500 feet down the shortcut trail.  Pass a couple of numbered spur trails that access primitive hunting stands to reach the Mason-Dixon Monument.

Mason-Dixon Monument

            In 1763, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were hired to mark "an east-west line 15 miles south of the southern-most part of Philadelphia" that would be the boundary between the Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The point you are standing at is the point they found to be 15 miles south of the southern-most part of Philadelphia, and they started marking their Mason-Dixon line westward from here.  The original oak post they placed at this point has been lost, and the stone monument you see today was placed here in 1953 by Halleck DuPont.  A bench invites you to sit and ponder all of the history this site has seen.

Footbridge over main stream

            Backtrack to the outer loop of the Bryan's Field Trail and turn right to continue the loop.  0.8 miles into the hike, a connector trail exits left to cross SR 72; it leads to the Lenape Trail and the Middle Run Valley Natural Area.  Angle right to cross an unnamed stream on a wooden footbridge; this stream's ravine contains the entire hike.  After a brief streamside area with lots of black walnut trees, the trail embarks on a gradual climb up the south side of the ravine.  This climb gains about 140 feet of elevation in just over 0.4 miles, and all of the grades on this trail are fairly gradual.

South end of loop

            Just past 1.3 miles, a connector trail that leads south to another trailhead exits left.  Our trail curves sharply right to gain the crest of the ridge.  An open field soon appears to the left, and a white water tower can be seen beyond the field.  Your sojourn on the south rim of the ravine is brief, and soon you begin the gradual descent back into the ravine.

Hiking through the woods

            Ignore 2 trails that exit left; follow the blue trail markers at each of these intersections.  At 1.7 miles you cross another footbridge back to the north side of the main stream.  Some of the largest trees in this forest grow in this area, and I was very impressed by the beech, maple, and tulip trees I passed here.  Gradual climbing brings you beside a privately-owned parcel of land at 1.9 miles; a wooden barn with stone foundation stands here.  I mentioned the piecemeal history of this park in the introduction, and several privately-owned land plots remain within the park's boundaries today.

Old stone barn foundation

            2.1 miles into the hike, you reach the top of the hill and a trail intersection.  The trail going left leads to the Tri-Valley Trail and the Whitely Farm Loop.  As directed by the blue trail markers, our hike turns right to begin the final segment of the Bryan's Field Trail.  This segment of trail is fairly flat, and it passes first a park maintenance area and then an old stone barn foundation on the left as you hike east through sunny prairie.  Just shy of 2.4 miles, you return to the trailhead to complete the hike.

Princeton Battlefield State Park and Institute Woods (Blog Hike #1077)

Trails: Trolley Track, Founders' Walk, River's Edge, and Far Trails
Hike Location: Princeton Battlefield State Park and Institute Woods
Geographic Location: Princeton, NJ (40.32944, -74.67631)
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A flat lollipop loop starting at a Revolutionary War battlefield.
Park Information: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/princetonbattlefieldstatepark.html
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming April 2027)

Directions to the trailhead: Northeast of Trenton, take I-295 to US 1 (exit 67B).  Exit and go north on US 1.  Drive US 1 north 1 mile to Quakerbridge Road.  Exit and go north on Quakerbridge Rd.  Drive Quakerbridge Rd. 2.8 miles to Mercer Road and take a soft right on Mercer Rd.  The signed park entrance is 0.2 miles ahead on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and park in the only blacktop lot.

The hike: The first few months after the Americans declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776 did not go well for the American Patriots.  Patriot victories were almost nonexistent, and American General George Washington was forced to conduct a fighting retreat from east to west across New Jersey.  Washington only managed to save Pennsylvania and the American capital at Philadelphia by a brilliant stroke of strategy: after crossing the Delaware River with his army, he ordered all boats moved to the west side of the river.  Thus, the British were unable to get their army across the river until later in the winter when it would freeze solid enough for safe ice crossing.

            Knowing that the British were temporarily stymied and that many of his soldiers' enlistments were about to expire, in late December Washington embarked on a bold and risky counterattack that historians would come to label the Ten Crucial Days.  The first day was the night of December 25, 1776 when Washington and his men famously crossed the icy Delaware River during a winter storm.  That crossing led to a surprise Patriot attack and victory at Trenton the next day.

            The subsequent maneuvers and skirmishes came to a head on January 2, 1777 with the Second Battle of Trenton, another Patriot victory.  The Patriots withdrew to Princeton, where they faced a combination of British and Hessian forces the next day in a snow-covered field.  Against long odds the Patriots were victorious for a third time, and that battle at the conclusion of the Ten Crucial Days came to be known as the Battle of Princeton.  Although these victories would be short-lived, they kept the revolution going when it was on the brink of falling apart.

            The field in which the third battle occurred is today preserved as Princeton Battlefield State Park.  The park was established in 1946, and at only 40 acres it protects the battlefield but not much else.  Fortunately, the Institute of Advanced Studies, an academic research institution loosely affiliated with Princeton University, owns and maintains an adjacent 588-acre tract of woods known as the Institute Woods.  While visitors are not allowed at the Institute, they are allowed to hike the trails in the Institute Woods.  This hike starts at the battlefield and forms a lollipop loop through the Institute Woods, thus getting the most hiking possible out of this historic park.

Mercer Oak at Princeton Battlefield

            Before hitting the trail, walk over to the northeast side of the parking lot to view the battlefield.  Interpretive signs point out the famous Clarke House and the famous Mercer Oak.  The Clarke House dates to 1772 and was owned by Quaker farmer Thomas Clarke.  The Mercer Oak marks where Patriot Brigadier General Hugh Mercer watched his men fight the battle; Mercer refused to leave his men even after he was severely wounded by a British bayonet.  Mercer was transported to the Clarke House after the battle, where he died 9 days later.

Trail entering the Institute Woods

            When you are ready to begin the hike, head to the southwest corner of the parking lot and pick up the gravel trail that heads across the mowed-grass field and into the woods.  Trails in the Institute Woods are mostly laid out in a row and column configuration.  The trails are wide and easy to follow, but not all of them are well-marked.  Thus, the picture I took of the trail map at the information board came in handy several times during my hike.

Princeton Friends Meeting House

            At 0.2 miles, you pass the rear of the Princeton Friends Meeting House, an historic Quaker building.  The Quaker religion requires a vow of pacifism, and during the Revolutionary War both the British and the Americans became disgusted with the Quakers because they refused to fight for their side.  As the war drug on, many Quakers decided that the revolution's righteous cause was more important than their vow of pacifism, and many Quakers joined the Patriots.

Hiking the entrance trail, Institute Woods

            0.3 miles into the hike, you reach a major trail intersection that forms the loop portion of this hike.  Many trail intersections in the Institute Woods are signed, but the signs are small and therefore hard to find and read.  I turned left to head northeast on the Trolley Track Trail, thus hiking the loop clockwise.

Hiking the Trolley Track Trail

            The wide, nearly straight, and nearly flat Trolley Track Trail heads through beautiful forest that features some large maple and tulip trees.  I saw quite a few birds here including a grey catbird, and the hiking is very pleasant.  Ignore trails that exit right or left until you intersect the Founders' Walk at 0.8 miles.  Turn right to begin the Founders' Walk.

Yellow F marking the Founders' Walk

            The Founders' Walk is the only blazed trail in the Institute Woods: yellow F's painted on trees mark the way.  The trail descends gradually, but the Institute Woods occupies very flat land: the difference between maximum and minimum elevation on this hike is less than 60 feet.  Overall, the going remains easy, and the hiking remains pleasant.

Swinging bridge over Stony Brook

            At 1.3 miles, you reach the most popular destination in the Institute Woods: the swinging bridge over Stony Brook.  The thin metal cables and thin wood deck make the bridge look intimidating, but the concrete abutments provide some assurance.  This bridge leads to the old Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath, so many people enter the Institute Woods via this bridge.  Because this hike started at Princeton Battlefield, the bridge represents the furthest point on our loop.

Stony Brook

            To begin your return route, turn right and begin hiking the River's Edge Trail with Stony Brook through the trees on your left.  The dark waters of Stony Brook come into view several times, and the stream seems poorly named: the watercourse is more muddy and grassy than stony at this point.  Ignore the Middle Trail as it exits right, but when you get to the southwest corner of the Institute Woods turn right to begin the Far Trail; the River's Edge Trail dead-ends in just a few feet.

Hiking the Far Trail

            The Far Trail heads northwest through more of the same beautiful forest you hiked through earlier.  Just past 1.9 miles, you reach an intersection with the Pipeline Trail.  You could go straight or left here, but the shortest route back to the trailhead turns left on the Pipeline Trail.  The Pipeline Trail follows a sewer line corridor, and therefore it does not make for the most inspiring hiking.  At 2.3 miles, you close the loop.  Continue straight to hike back past the Princeton Friends Meeting House and return to the battlefield to complete the hike.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park: Hedgerow, Old Parsonage, and Red Trails (Blog Hike #1076)

Trails: Hedgerow, Old Parsonage, and Red Trails
Hike Location: Monmouth Battlefield State Park
Geographic Location: west of Freehold, NJ (40.26369, -74.32036)
Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A loop hike through a major Revolutionary War battlefield.
Park Information: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/monmouthbattlefieldstatepark.html
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming April 17, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of US 9 and SR 33 BUS in Freehold, take SR 33 BUS west 1.6 miles to the signed park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and park in the large parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: The first 2 years of the Revolutionary War did not go well for the American Patriots.  Victories were almost nonexistent, the British captured the American capital at Philadelphia in September 1777, and the American Continental Army nearly starved and froze to death at their Valley Forge camp during the winter of 1777-78.  But on February 6, 1778, a major ray of hope shined through the gloom: France signed a treaty of alliance with the United States, and several weeks later both France and Spain declared war on the British.  For the first time, the upstart American patriots had some official European help.

            Worried they would be trapped inland by the new alliance, the British abandoned Philadelphia on June 18, 1778 and marched their troops to the safety of their navy in New York City.  Although he was outnumbered nearly 2 to 1, Patriot General George Washington knew the British would be exposed during their march.  Thus, he chose to ambush the British at Monmouth, NJ, which features some of the highest hills between Philadelphia and New York.

            The ambush happened on June 28.  When British General Sir Henry Clinton realized a large number of American troops were in the area, he counter-attacked aggressively, hoping to destroy the American Continental Army once and for all.  At first the British advanced westward rapidly, and the Americans traded ground for time.  But eventually the British ended up in a field where they came under attack from 2 directions: General Washington to the west and General Nathanael Greene to the south.  At 11pm, the British withdrew to continue their march to New York, and the Americans had won a battle against British regular troops for the first time.

            Since 1961 the battlefield at Monmouth has been protected as Monmouth Battlefield State Park.  An impressive Visitor Center sits atop Coombs Hill where General Greene was stationed, and it features many exhibits and an interpretive video that ends with a live view of the battlefield.  The park also features 13 trails that total nearly 18 miles.  This hike tours the main battlefield, but it also explores the wooded areas around Coombs Hill, thus allowing you to experience both the human history and natural scenery this park has to offer.

Trailhead at back of Visitor Center

            From the 2 interpretive signs at the back (north side) of the Visitor Center, notice the footbridge downhill and to the left; that bridge will be our return route.  Angle right and start heading downhill to the north to find a second eastern footbridge that is not visible from the Visitor Center.  A very informative interpretive guide is available in the Visitor Center for the first part of this hike, and numbered posts correspond to points of historical interest in the guide.

Eastern bridge over wetlands

            As you cross the eastern bridge, notice the wetlands that make these bridges necessary.  These wetlands were critical to the battle's outcome: they prevented the British in front of you from charging General Greene's artillery position atop Coombs Hill behind you, thereby eliminating one of the Americans' 2 angles of attack.  After crossing the bridge, turn right at the next 2 intersections to begin a gradual climb into an apple orchard.  While hiking through an apple orchard may seem unusual and uninspiring, this land was being farmed at the time of the battle.  Thus, the orchard gives the correct historical ambiance.

The Hedgerow

            At 0.5 miles, you come to an area known as The Hedgerow.  The Hedgerow was the center of the battlefield, and it changed hands several times with the British charging from the right and the Americans retreating to the left.  A reconstructed wooden fence stands here today, and the next segment of the hike takes you north along this fence.  The Hedgerow is stops #3 and #4 in the interpretive guide, and the guide gives detailed information about the fighting that happened here.

North end of the Hedgerow

            Where the dirt orchard access road turns right, continue straight to keep heading north on mowed-grass trail.  The trails through the historic battlefield are unmarked, so the interpretive guide helps keep you on course.  At 0.8 miles, you reach the north end of The Hedgerow; railroad tracks and a road can be seen just ahead.  Do not cross the railroad tracks or road, but turn left to walk west, still on unmarked mowed-grass trail.

Interpretive sign marking The Parsonage

            Turn left again just past 1 mile, and reach the former site of The Parsonage at 1.1 miles.  The Parsonage was the turning point in the battle, and it marks the furthest advance of the British: retreating Patriots used the parsonage's shelter and good sight lines to hold their ground.  Nothing of The Parsonage remains today, but interpretive signs describe the action here.

Western bridge over wetland

            The trail curves right and then left as it goes up and over a low ridge before descending gradually.  At 1.6 miles, you cross the western bridge over the wetland, and the Visitor Center comes in sight uphill directly ahead.  If you are getting tired, running out of daylight, or only want to tour the battlefield, you could head directly to the Visitor Center and conclude your hike now.  To also see this park's natural areas, angle right as you head uphill to find the start of the Red Trail.

Start of the Red Trail

            Natural area hiking trails at this park are marked with brown carsonite posts bearing color-coded stickers, and no less than 4 different colors appear on the first post.  The White, Green, and Yellow Trails are all shorter versions of the Red Trail, and I followed the Red Trail for its entire distance.  All 4 trails head west on a wide dirt/grass path with Spotswood South Brook close on the right.  The forest is young and brushy, making the scenery less than attractive.

Hiking near Spotswood South Brook

            First the Yellow and then the Green Trails exit left.  At 2.2 miles, the Red Trail angles left to head away from the brook and enter the nicest forest on this hike.  Large old trees live here.  A brief steep climb brings you to the uplands.  Where the White Trail continues straight, turn right to stay on the Red Trail.

Old Coombs Farm field

            The southern arm of the Red Trail takes you through the grassy former fields of the old Coombs Farm.  Highway noise from SR 33 filters in from the right.  At 3.2 miles, turn right to stay on the Red Trail.  A final segment through a sunny field brings you to the park entrance road, where a left turn and short road walk return you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

Cheesequake State Park: Yellow, Blue, and Green Trails (Blog Hike #1075)

Trails: Yellow, Blue, and Green Trails
Hike Location: Cheesequake State Park
Geographic Location: Matawan, NJ (40.43661, -74.26502)
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A loop hike across ridges and saltwater marshes.
Park Information: https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/cheesequakestatepark.html
Hike Route Map:

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 2027)

Directions to the trailhead: In northeast New Jersey, take the Garden State Parkway to Matawan Road (exit 120).  Exit and go south on Matawan Rd.  Drive Matawan Rd. 0.3 miles to Morristown Road and turn right on Morristown Rd.  Drive Morristown Rd. 0.3 miles to Gordon Road and turn right on Gordon Rd.  Gordon Rd. deadends at the park in 0.7 miles.  Stop at the park office to pick up a trail map, then drive another 0.2 miles to the main trailhead parking area on the left, where this hike begins.  If this parking lot is full, you can also start this hike at the park's swimming area at the end of the park road.

The hike: Consisting of 1610 acres on the southern edge of the New York City metro area, Cheesequake State Park protects an interesting mix of tidal creeks, salt marshes, freshwater ponds, streamside habitats, and low steep ridges.  The park was established with the purchase of a Civil War-era farm owned by the Favier brothers in 1938, and the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped develop the property.  The park opened in 1940.  The park's unusual name comes from a Lenape word that means "upland," "upland village," or "at the land that has been cleared."  A creek passed on this hike has the same name.

            Today Cheesequake State Park remains one of the best state parks in the New York City metro area.  The park features a cozy 53-site campground, several large group camping sites, fishing and swimming on Hooks Creek Lake, several picnic areas, a nature center, and 5 hiking trails totaling over 8 miles.  The hike described here combines several trails to form a loop around the main part of the park, and it passes through all of the park's many habitats.

Main Trailhead

            From the main trailhead, walk through the wooden portal marked "trailhead," then angle right to begin the Yellow Trail.  The trails at this park are well-marked with brown carsonite posts bearing colored stickers that correspond to the trail's name.  The Yellow Trail curves right to hold a level contour around the ridge as it heads generally northwest through nice forest dominated by maple and oak trees.

Hooks Creek Lake

            At 0.25 miles, the trail curves left to descend the ridge via some wooden stairs.  Some unmarked and unofficial trails exist in this area, so watch for the yellow trail markers.  At the bottom of the stairs, turn right to come alongside Hooks Creek Lake.  Hooks Creek Lake is this park's main body of water, and the swimming beach is visible across the lake ahead and to the right.

Cheesequake Creek boardwalk

            0.6 miles into the hike, you reach the west end of the Yellow Trail where it intersects the Blue Trail.  Turn left to begin the Blue Trail.  If you had to park at the swimming area because the main trailhead parking lot was full, you would start this hike here.  Less than 500 feet later, you reach this hike's first major point of interest: the boardwalk over Cheesequake Creek and salt marsh.

Saltwater marsh

            Cheesequake Creek is a tidal creek, meaning it can flow either direction depending on the tide.  This boardwalk is a major destination for saltwater crabbing, and I passed several people working their crab nets when I hiked here on a pleasant morning in early September.  Views extending across the grassy marsh in either direction include some open water, and I saw some Canada geese and an osprey here.  Take some time to sit on the benches and see what you see.

Cheesequake Creek

            Across the tidal creek, the Blue Trail picks up an old dirt road labeled on some maps as Perrine Road as it climbs very gradually through forest that features many pine trees.  At 1.1 miles, you reach a major trail intersection with blue trail markers going several ways.  Turn right to leave the old road and begin single-track dirt trail.  A few hundred feet later, you reach a bird blind along Perrine Pond.  The pond was very calm on my visit, but I saw a red fox and 2 deer in the woods near here.

Perrine Pond

            The Blue Trail traces the east side of the pond before curving left and climbing back toward the ridge.  Upon re-intersecting the old road, turn right to continue southeast on the old dirt road.  At 1.6 miles, you reach another major trail intersection with several colors of markers.  The Red Trail going left is the shortest route back to the main trailhead, while the Blue Trail continues straight to follow the old road.  Our hike turns sharply right to begin the Green Trail, which is this park's longest trail.

Starting the Green Trail

            The Green Trail alternates between dry sandy-soiled ridgetops and marshy creekside areas for its entire distance.  Short but steep climbs and drops get you from the wetland to the ridgetop and vice-versa.  You start on the ridgetop, and the first drop takes you to the first of several long boardwalks over wooded wetlands.  Be thankful for these boardwalks: this would be a very wet and muddy hike without them.

Long boardwalk on Green Trail

            At 2.1 miles, the trail drops to cross Museum Road, a gravel park maintenance road that passes through the southern part of the park.  Next comes the steepest climb to the park's highest elevation; some wooden stairs aid the ascent.  The undulations continue as the trail heads northeast roughly parallel to the park's southeastern boundary.  The going is somewhat challenging but heavily wooded and scenic.

Hiking the Green Trail

            At 3.4 miles, you pass through the final ravine and come out at the park's group campground.  Turn left and then right, following the green trail markers, to trace the perimeter of the campground.  At 3.8 miles, you intersect a gravel park road near the park's Nature Center.  Turning right and hiking 0.2 miles along the gravel road returns you to the main trailhead and completes the hike.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park: Five-Mile Lock to Bound Brook South Battlefield (Blog Hike #1074)

Trail: Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath
Hike Location: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Geographic Location: Somerset, NJ (40.54010, -74.51367)
Length: 3.2 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: An out-and-back from an old canal lock to a Revolutionary War battlefield.
Park Information: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/drcanalstatepark.html
Hike Route Map:

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming September 4, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: The parking lot for the Five-Mile Lock trail access is located on the east side of Easton Avenue just north of I-287, exit 10.  You must be going northbound on Easton Ave. to enter this parking lot.

The hike: Built in the 1830's, the Delaware and Raritan Canal traces a rainbow-shaped arc across central New Jersey as it connects its two namesake rivers.  In the early 1800's, waterways formed the country's main highways, and the canal's construction not only shortened the water route between Philadelphia and New York City by 100 miles but also eliminated the need to take boats into the exposed waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  The canal saw heavy traffic for over 40 years, and it became a primary means to get Pennsylvania coal to New York City.  In fact, the canal continued to operate until 1932, long after most canals had been supplanted by the railroad.

            Today most of the canal still retains water, and since 1974 the canal's towpath has been owned and maintained by the State of New Jersey as Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.  The linear park extends for 70 miles, and the wide natural-surface path is popular for jogging, biking, and of course hiking.  The trail can be accessed at many points.  The segment described here not only gives a good taste of the canal and riverside areas but also passes a couple points of historical interest.  Thus, this segment makes a better than average hike for a wide, flat, and straight canal towpath.

Five-Mile Lock

            From the parking lot, walk down to the old canal and cross the canal on a metal grate walkway where water enters the old Five-Mile Lock.  The water entering the old lock makes for a scenic and noisy man-made waterfall even with the concrete lock as a backdrop.  Directly across the canal sits the towpath; turn left to begin heading upstream with the canal on your left.  There were quite a few people around the lock when I came here on a warm and humid Saturday morning in early September, but the traffic thinned as I got further upstream.

Hiking the canal towpath

            The wide gravel towpath makes for flat, easy hiking.  Some walls and other old canal remnants passed as you hike add some historical interest.  Numbered concrete obelisks mark each mile, and soon you pass mile marker #37.

Mile marker #37

            Throughout the hike the canal's calm, still waters remain to your left.  The Raritan River lies to your right, but it never comes in sight on this hike due to dense forest featuring many black walnut trees.  1 mile into the hike, the trail angles right to briefly leave the canal bank.  I saw several deer in this area, and a flock of Canada geese greeted me with honking further upstream.

Deer beside the trail

            Ignore a wooden bridge that exits left at 1.4 miles; it leads to Canal Crossing Condominiums.  At 1.6 miles, you reach the small parking lot at the Main Street road crossing in the Borough of Bound Brook.  Several interpretive signs at this crossing describe the Revolutionary War Battle of Bound Brook, which took place here on April 13, 1777.

South Battlefield, Battle of Bound Brook

            The Battle of Bound Brook started as a fight for the stone bridge over Bound Brook, which empties into the Raritan River just north of here.  The battle turned into a rout when 1000 Hessian soldiers fighting for the British marched north on present-day Easton Avenue and dislodged the Patriots from their positions.  This battle exemplifies the frustrations and defeats the Patriots suffered during the early days of the Revolutionary War.

Returning downstream

            The Main Street access and Bound Brook South Battlefield mark a good place to turn around.  Benches for resting and rehydrating are available near the road intersection to the south.  Walk downstream along the towpath to return to Five-Mile Lock and complete the hike.