West Milford 13ers & WWW Hiking Club

Our two clubs offer hikers a choice of fast-paced or moderately paced day trips from Northern New Jersey to the Adirondacks...and everything in between:

The WWW Hiking Club is part of New Jersey Aubudon Society's Weis Ecology Center. We offer 14 fast-paced, steep, strenuous hikes per year. For women & men with strong legs and good cardio-vascular fitness. Hikes take place in Upstate New York State and New Jersey. See calendar below. VIEW PHOTOS FROM OUR BONTICOU CRAG HIKE:  Climb the Crag album

The West Milford 13ers offer moderately paced hikes in and around the Heart of the North Jersey Highlands. We are dedicated to supporting sustainable tourism: climb all 13 West Milford peaks & become an official 13er. See calendar below.

CALENDAR OF HIKES:

ADIRONDACK HI PEAKS WEEKEND! (8/20-22, peaks to be announced in the next week! Email leader for more info) WWW, strenuous hikes

ASSINIWIKAM & BUCK MTNS (Sun, 8/29, 9-2) BD, moderate hike Norvin Green Forest has a quiet side and the Wyanokie Crest Trail is the way to explore it. Bag two required West Milford Baker's peaks in a day. Great hike to prepare for the fall season!

BREAKNECK RIDGE TO BEACON (Sun, 9/12, 9:30-3) WWW An exceptionally challenging adventure for seasoned hikers who aren't afraid of heights...

BUCKABEAR-FORT THRU-HIKE (Sat, 9/18, 9:30-2:30) BD, moderate The Highlands Trail has been cut off at Buckabear Pond for years, but it's now reopened. One of the best HT through-hikes around: fire tower views, deep evergreen forests, and a walk along the back of Clinton Reservoir! This 7-mile, moderately paced hike through private Newark-Pequannock Watershed lands is made possible by special permit.

POCONO GORGES HIKE (Sun, 10/3, 9:00-3) WWW

Just across the Delaware River are some of PA's most fun hiking trails! With trail names like Tumbling Waters, Scenic Gorge & Fossil, how can you go wrong? Meet at Pocono Environmental Ed. Ctr.

TERRACE POND OVERLOOKS (Sun, 10/10, 9:30-2) BD
Be prepared to scramble your way up the steep path to reach this uniquely beautiful area. Created by glaciers, Terrace Pond is a rugged, almost prehistoric setting punctuated by fall color, rock caves and abundant wildlife. This 5-mile, moderately paced hike is recommended for advanced beginner and intermediate hikers.

HOWL, GROWL & GRIND (Sun, 10/17, 9:30-2:30) WWW    Conquer the section of Appalachian Trail affectionately known as Agony Grind (nothing we can't handle!), enjoy great views, check out a huge iron furnace and more. 

SCHUNEMUNK MTN (Sun, 11/7, 9:30-2:30) WWW Take the "back way" up this popular, multi-faceted gem of a mountain!

JUNGLE HABITAT & NEARBY MTNS (Sun, 11/14, 9:30-2) BD
Explore the old roads, trails and animal cages of the 1970s-era Warner Bros. Jungle Habitat property. There will be an easy-to-moderate, 3.5-mile hike and an intermediate 7-mile hike. The long hike also explores Burnt Meadow and climbs up Horse Pond Mtn, overlooking Monksville Reservoir.

HIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (WEIS ECOLOGY CTR.)

2011 HIKES

ALMOST PERPENDICULAR & SLEATER HILL

(Sun, Jan 2, 9:30-2:30) WWW

Start 2011 by checking out the views from Dater Mtn., Sleater Hill, Almost Perpendicular. Hike also includes a trip to Elbow Brush and Claudius Smith's Rock. 8-9 miles.  Meets off-site.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL: THE POCHUCKS

(Sun, Feb 20, 9:30-2:30) WWW

Climb beautiful Pochuck Mountain, cross the "drowned lands" on a boardwalk and bridge, and explore the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Varied scenery and views. 8.5 miles. Meets off-site. 

West Milford Baker's Dozen: A Hiker's Guide to Climbing the Heart of the Highland's Greatest Peaks

The official guide book to the Baker's Dozen Challenge has been expanded to 50 pages. It  contains 18 hikes (13 official, 4 unofficial, 1 mystery hike) and an area to make notes as you hike. When you have done them all, Don Weise offers you your own official certification of completion.

To order go to: http://www.nynjtc.org Click on "go shopping" then "books" then scroll down to West Milford Baker's Dozen ($9.95 + tax & shipping). New York/New Jersey Trail Conference members get a 25% discount.

Where do YOU want to go next? Vote by email...donweise@hotmail.com

Green Mtns, Wurtsboro Ridge, Ice Caves, the Palisades, Mt. Everett (AT in southern Mass), Camp Smith Trail, NJ AT: (Pochuck, High Pt., Stokes, Rattlesnake Swamp/Catfish Fire Tower, Pocono Environmental Ed. Ctr. & falls), Camp Glen Gray, Sterling Forest, Hasenclever Hill...or someplace else?

Cost is $8 per person per hike.

To get on the email list contact: donweise@hotmail.com

Wild thimbleberries grow along in upstate New York near the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes. The tart berries like limestone soil and look like a thimble when picked from the plant.

calendar of events: scroll down for upcoming hikes  

TAKE THE WEST MILFORD BAKER'S DOZEN CHALLENGE!

With over 100 miles of hiking trails, mountain top lakes, spectacular cliffs and scenery, wild West Milford is the perfect hiking getaway for New York and New Jersey residents!

Climb all 13 of West Milford, New Jersey's rocky peaks and become a West Milford 13er.

Or for an even greater adventure, take the Winter 17er Challenge. For more information email donweise@hotmail.com

About Don Weise:

• Hike leader since 1996
• Leads 26 organized hikes per year
• Certified in Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED
• Catskill 35er