Segment 4 Carranza Memorial to Quaker Bridge - 6 miles

Sunday’s hike took us through dense dry pitch pine forest in Wharton State Forest, with evidence of recent burns. 

 

Not long into the hike we crossed two historic thoroughfares: a defunct section (connecting Chatsworth with Atsion) of the New Jersey Southern Railroad, and the northern fork of the Old Tuckerton Stage Road.

 

There is so much history in each segment of the trail we have visited so far; I could spend a lifetime exploring the Pine Barrens, the historic sites, and the natural beauty.

 

Along the way we passed the Half-Way point of the trail!

We took our lunch break at Lower Forge Camp, a wilderness camp on the bank of the Batsto River, accessible only by foot or kayak/canoe. Tuna sandwiches, Kind bars, and chocolate – gourmet delight!

This segment ended by the Quaker Bridge, along the southern fork of the Old Tuckerton Stage Road. This area once hosted a tavern and settlement along this once-busy road between Camden and Tuckerton. 

 

We passed an old cranberry bog along they way on the drive back to Rte. 206.

Segment 3 Apple Pie Hill to Carranza Memorial - 4 miles

Yesterday’s segment was short. We had another commitment for the morning, and an afternoon is perfect for this length of a hike.

We began at the summit of Apple Pie Hill, and proceeded through dry pinelands uplands.



We climbed another hill and found ourselves on top of Tea Time Hill, also known at Mt. Korbar.



I have not been able to find the story of why it was called Tea Time Hill, but the name Mt. Korbar is in memory of the two men who bushwhacked, laid out and created the original 30 miles of the Batona Trail in 1961-- Walter Korszniak and Morris Bardock, both members of the Batona Hiking Club of Philadelphia.

This section of the trail could be called “Lichen World”! There was so much lichen everywhere, covering the ground and the trees. The pale green color was lovely contrast to the dark green of the pines and cedars, and the reddish-brown shades of the pine and cedar leaves on the ground.



The last half of this hike followed and crossed Skit Branch, part of the headwaters of the Batsto River. Clear, clean water harboring Atlantic White Cedar and tons of sphagnum moss.