Instead what we got was a pleasant (if rocky) exposure to a typical stretch of Northeastern Appalachian Trail and a far more lenient return on a multiuse trail. The parking lot closest to the trailhead is just south (and within eyesight of) the nature center. The nature center is useful for getting current weather, read up on the scouting history of the area (I went to Camp KMSR up here when I was a Boy Scout...probably fishing more than earning merit badges but having fun anyways), and grab some useful maps. Then it's time to blaze the trail. Park in the gravel lot with the AT Hiker signs on it. The majority of your walking experience today will be along the AT in all it's ankle-breaking glory. The trail only gets steep enough to slow you down in one or two patches - according to tom after I got to the top of the first one of these i looked like death iced over so there are some spots to exert yourself.
Follow the AT south (away from High Point). Within a hundred paces away from the roadside the landscaping job done by the sons of the great Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park and Chicago World's Fair fame. The AT is as rough as it is in a hundred different spots in New Jersey: 100 to 200 foot sets of crests and valleys with as straight a path etched through it as possible. The ground is semi-level granite, have good, high top hiking shoes in order to prevent turned ankles and bruised egos. The nastiest bit of climbing (mentioned before in my aforementioned cardiac-arrest worthy appearance) is a five-to-ten minute scramble to get up a bluff. The view on top is worth it, though, especially with the easy-on-the eyes hikers we had with us this day.
Going south on the AT provides great views to the left downhill to a lake. If it's warm out (as it sort of was when we got on the trail) the lake provides a cool breeze that helps keep the gnats and flies away. However, if you stop you'll get to meet the smallest denizens of New Jersey's highlands en masse as they emerge from the woods to feed upon unwary hikers. Bring bug spray.
If one is inclined one can visit the Rutherford AT Shelter. We didn't, preferring to get our hike complete in as direct a route as possible as quickly as possible. We chose to lunch instead at the intersection of the Iris and AT in a very visible four way intersection. There are some rocks to sit down upon if one feels inclined and inclined we felt after our completion of the ankle-smashing portion of the trail.
The Iris Trail is far less brutal then the AT (follow it right and along the back of the ridge you were just summiting on the AT) but it also lacks the majestic views. There are some points of interest on the trail, though. At one point you can see the terracing of old farms that define the edge of the trail. The other major draw is Lake Rutherford which you will hike around for the majority of the return trail. By this point in the day we started to slow down and the weather seemed cooler coming off the lake - a welcome reprieve during the summer without doubt but a chilly reminder that we aren't that far away from winter on this particular April Day. The views, however, are pretty breathtaking for New Jersey, without a soul in sight this lake could be anywhere in New England, not a mere stones throw away from Sussex County, NJ.
Count the bridges to know how close you are to your goal of the parking lot: the first bridge over a small brook is a nice place to sit down over moving water and avoid the flies and mosquitoes that call the swampy area home. Shortly after the bridge comes the best view during the return portion of the hike: a rocky outcropping offering a beautiful view of Lake Rutherford.
Ticks were a problem this time. I found two on my bag but none had gone through. I've already had Lyme's Disease and trust me - you don't want the hassle of getting it. On the bright side though we only saw about 10 other hikers all day despite decent weather.
Now, if you want to get really, truly high you can do High Point. We did by car. Not because we were lazy but...well ok we were lazy. But the trail to High Point looks like a killer and nobody was having any of that by the end of the day. Feel free to sit in wonder of the huge bronze doors and be more in wonder that someone managed to steal one of them and get away with it. Here's a picture of our hiking group trying to unwind after taking the entire trail in the span of six hours with multiple lunch breaks and me solidly bringing up the rear (we all need to know our place, I think of it as getting more peace and quiet than the rest of my hiking buddies and enjoying nature on my own.
All in all a fun hike with a bunch of options for those more adventurous than us, or at least with a little more time and better bug spray.
The next trail will probably be a 20 mile level point to point trail from Bound Brook to Princeton along the Railroad Canal. Until then expect a report on the Edison Greenways Project that is hoping to add some natural wonder to our suburban sprawl.
Oh, and if there is any question to how rough this trail can be on ankles I included a picture of my right sock for posterity.
