Sogging Through Sourland Mountain

Sourland Mountain is a 17-mile ridge that runs from the Delaware River in Lambertville, NJ to Hopewell Township. It boasts the largest contiguous forest in Central NJ (about 90 square miles). There is not much elevation gain as the highest point is only 568 feet above sea level. 

 

View from the parking lot

It is part of the 4,000-acre Sourland Mountain Preserve that offers hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, bouldering, and horseback riding, according to SomersetCountyParks.org. It is also known for its nesting birds, including Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees, Winter Wrens, and Summer Tanagers.

Early on the trail

We had dinner plans that evening, so it was a quick way to get in a short hike.   Due to rain earlier in the week, the trail was extremely muddy. We decided to hoof down in an open area (it looked like a hill minus the high tension wire), where we counted tons of praying mantis oothecas, the protective capsule that houses the egg mass during metamorphosis.

Praying mantis waiting to be born

We were met by a jovial fellow who looked to be in his late 70s or early 80s who was wearing a pair of army green knickers, wool socks, and a very bright red sweater. I was confused because I heard the sound of opera music, but my iPod was playing a rock playlist.  I realized the sprightly old gent was carrying an external speaker and the music was coming from it. I wanted to ask if I could take his picture, but thought it might be rude. So we bid him farewell and completed out descent.

Watch where you walk on the way to your car because the grass around the pond at the bottom of Sourland Mountain is inundated with goose poop, which is very difficult to clean from your hiking boot treads. Plus it's not the nicest way to end a good day.

Heidi’s rating: ★ Nice, but definitely not the most exciting hike.

The Fat Man’s rating: 3 mud pies.