Monday March Madness March

Please join me for 4-mile loop brisk hike on the Hainesport side of Rancocas State Park. We will mostly follow the blue trail (also known as the Creekside Trail) and do a loop on the orange trail (also known as the Red Fox Trail). We will briefly hike on the green trail (also known as the Mossy Bluff Trail) and the white trail (also known as the Virginia Pine Trail) in order to reconnect with the blue trail.

Though we will walk at a BRISK pace to get the blood flowing and the heart pumping, please allow 90—100 minutes. We will stop periodically to regroup and also for possible nature watching opportunities.

There are three steep (short) climbs and two steep (short) declines. There are also a few places where we will need to traverse over fallen trees and there are also several sections with tree roots. Being mindful of this, please bring a hiking pole or two, if this is of concern for you. The terrain of the trails vary widely. There are wide sections and single-track sections.

Following is a link to the trail map.

[https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/maps/RancocasAreaMapFinalDraft_reduced.pdf](https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/maps/RancocasAreaMapFinalDraft_reduced.pdf)

The park is located less than a mile off of Marne Highway (Rt 537) between Creek Rd and Rt 541.

There are multiple trail heads and starting points. We’ll meet at the Deacon Road trailhead, which is located at the corner of Deacon Rd and Woolman Ln. The nearest address is 1220 Woolman Ln. Please note, this is a residence. The parking lot for the trail head is across the street from this residential address. There is a small wooded lot at the trail head. If the lot is full, there is street parking adjacent to the parking lot.

Well behaved and well controlled dogs, who like other dogs are welcome (on leash).