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Mt Tammany Fire Road - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Apr 24 2026
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 Guides 76
 Routes 206
 Photos 10,264
 Triplogs 2,351

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mt Tammany - Red DotUpper, NJ
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Apr 24 2026
JimTriplogs 2,351
Hiking9.22 Miles 2,588 AEG
Hiking9.22 Miles   6 Hrs   26 Mns   1.64 mph
2,588 ft AEG      49 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
First real hike in over a month. Up and down on the usual easy to access trails with a shorter hike out to a familiar boulder off the fire road. The loop using the Buckwood Trail as a connector will have to wait until fall, as ticks are out and the best conditions are now past.

The weather ended up being substantially better than I had hoped. Mostly sunny and the air was pleasant and dry. Not too many more days with lower dewpoints as that seems to fade as spring gets closer to summer. The trail was nice and dry, although the forecast rain will change this. Trees are leafing out, so it will be shady soon.

Few song birds compared to what I expected, but I did see a porcupine walking a well worn animal trail, a large black snake, and a pileated woodpecker. A deer, too, but those are like rats in the east. The porcupine was rather funny as it seemed totally unaware I was near until I started to call to it. I guess the quills allow for poor eye sight.

Descending along Dunnfield Creek was nicer than expected. Being a weekday few people were there and it was nice and quiet.

Regarding RS and syncing: I lost almost 500 feet of AEG after my raw route scout data was synced, and that is fine. However, what I don't understand is why my synced GPS route in the editor said 2588' of AEG, but my updated triplog was telling me 2768' of AEG. I repeated the process several time before I manually updated my log to reflect the lower AEG stat I assume to be accurate. FYI, my phone was on airplane mode 100% of the time.

Oh, the sound of bees swarming for one of the stat updates was disturbing for the 2 seconds before I realized it was the phone. Good thing Africanized bees aren't in NJ...yet.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Porcupine
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Red columbines on the same boulder as last April. Fragrant exotic barberry, and other small white flowers on the fire road.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Dunnfield Creek Medium flow Medium flow
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230874
Nov 02 2025
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 Guides 76
 Routes 206
 Photos 10,264
 Triplogs 2,351

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Kittatinny Loop, NJ 
Kittatinny Loop, NJ
 
Hiking avatar Nov 02 2025
JimTriplogs 2,351
Hiking11.53 Miles 2,324 AEG
Hiking11.53 Miles   6 Hrs   16 Mns   2.04 mph
2,324 ft AEG      37 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I waited to return until after leaf peeping season ended. It was still busy and the parking lot was full when I arrived, but I was able to get a space right away. Someone pulled out just as I came in.

I did a longer hike than the normal laps that I typically do at the western edge of the Kittatinny Mountains, although I also did a little extra on the red dot. I went out to another trail on the fire road and took that over to sunfish pond. I returned on the Appalachian trail.

I was optimistic about maybe seeing a bear or two, as I've seen lots of reports of bears out here and recent photos, but I did not see much other than squirrels, chipmunks, and white-tailed deer. Still, it was a very nice hike. I would likely repeat it this year, but may have to wait until next year depending on when I come back. The Sun is setting very early now and in a month it'll be before 4:30 p.m.

The leaves are 90% off the trees on the ridge and it has much more open feeling. Much of this hike is through very pleasant Forest that is a lot less pleasant when it's warm and humid in summer. It's probably at it's nicest in spring on a warm sunny dry day. Today was perfect early winter conditions, or late fall. The high was 58°. Maybe that isn't winter?

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Dunnfield Creek Light flow Light flow
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227128
Sep 21 2025
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 Guides 76
 Routes 206
 Photos 10,264
 Triplogs 2,351

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mt Tammany - Red DotUpper, NJ
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2025
JimTriplogs 2,351
Hiking9.87 Miles 2,290 AEG
Hiking9.87 Miles   6 Hrs   19 Mns   1.74 mph
2,290 ft AEG      38 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Leaves are already coming off the ridge top hickory and birch. Went out a fair way on the fire road. Might like to hike out further.

Intended to catch a sunset at the overlook since I did last time, but clouds came in. It was cool and nice all day, otherwise.
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226084
Dec 14 2024
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 Guides 76
 Routes 206
 Photos 10,264
 Triplogs 2,351

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mount TammanyUpper, NJ
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Dec 14 2024
JimTriplogs 2,351
Hiking6.95 Miles 2,541 AEG
Hiking6.95 Miles   4 Hrs   40 Mns   1.68 mph
2,541 ft AEG      32 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
A couple of laps on a very cold but also very nice day. I think the high was about 32 or 33. Sunny bluebird skies were very nice. Everything remained frozen most of the day, including some weird ice projections from the moist soil. Lots of rain here since my last visit. Maybe over 5 inches.

Today might have been a good day for Mt Mohican, but I didn't really feel like hiking that as it is more miles than elevation, and there may have been down trees. As it was there were a few down trees out on the fire road. I have no idea how the AT is maintained outside of the pack season. At some point I would like to hike Mohican again, and maybe I will get lucky with some skies like today later on in the winter or early spring to do it. Days being so short, I don't have time to take in a lap here before another Mohican hike.

Hardly anyone was here relative to every other weekend and it was really nice as a result. Quiet at times, and it felt more relaxed. I went out to that point 1549 or whatever to tag that one, since it was really cold and ticks should be inactive. I went to the top and realized why I didn't bother last time. It's not really much of anything, but the east is like that with trees everywhere.

With few people here today I was able to enjoy hearing birds on the trail. It might have been the first time here. Chickadees, but I like them.
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219758
average hiking speed 1.78 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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