Today, we took a nice hike around Washington Valley Reservoir. Although the trees are bare, you will still be surrounded by Pine and Hemlock trees and an abundance of nature that is absolutely beautiful to hike through. We chose to follow along the reservoir today which was a treat for us and the pups! There a few trails that pass by the body of water and some off trailing options that lead down to the water's edge. Watch out for the mountain bikers, this park is one of the top places for mountain biking trails as well!
A must see in this area is the Hawk Watch area. We didn't pass by here today but we've provided plenty of information about it below if you are interested. The hawks do fly all over the park though; this is such an amazing sight to see in the sky above you.
Washington Valley Reservoir, formerly named Elizabethtown Reservoir, was damned in the 1920's for water supply to the Bound Brook area. There is also a quarry in the area, Washington Mine (or Bound Brook Quarry), in which active mining continues to this day. Before 1900, stone was carried out of the quarry to the railroad in Bound Brook by horse-drawn wagons. The copper mines are now owned by Stavola Companies who are involved in asphalt and recycling materials, construction materials, contracting and real estate.
The Washington
Valley Park Hawk Watch Area brings in hundreds hawk lovers. In addition to hawks, falcons and eagles have been spotted in the sky above. These birds journey south to far away places in Central and South
America. According to the Somerset County Park Commission website, Ospreys, Peregrine
Falcons, and Bald Eagles are some of the most noteworthy of the birds
soaring above the area.
The Details
Trail Map: http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/genInfo/maps/WashingtonValleyPk.pdf
Parking: Newman's Lane Parking Area. See Google Maps Location below.
View Larger Map
Parking: Newman's Lane Parking Area. See Google Maps Location below.
View Larger Map
The Hike
We followed the White Trail Perimeter along to the Middle Brook Trail, which leads your on a beautiful hike along side the Reservoir. Head on to Chimney Rock Road but be very careful when walking on this road because it is a busy road. There is a small section on the side of the road for hikers and bikers to safely walk. There is small opening in the fence that leads you on to the Red Trail Perimeter trail which follows the Reservoir back to the parking lot.
The trek is easy to moderate (factoring in the Chimney Rock Road section and up a small hill in the beginning of the Red Trail Perimeter). Most of the trails are cleared and easy to walk/bike on. There are a few sections during the hike that lead you down to the reservoir, definitely check them out!
Our hike was 2.57 miles and took us a 1.5 hours to complete, stopping to view the water along the way.
Check out our adventures below!
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| Parking Area |
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| Beginning of White Trail Perimeter |
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| Washington Valley Reservoir |
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| These are spots heading off trail towards the water's edge. |
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| Piper taking a dip! |
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| Heading on to Chimney Rock Road |
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| Gate that leads you back on to the Red Trail Perimeter |
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| Partially frozen stream... |
On our way home!
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