Trip to Hacklebarney State Park

Ok. This park is absolutely heavenly.

I have never been to a tropical rainforest, but I feel like this park is the closest thing I can get to one while staying in New Jersey.

What struck me most were the smells and sounds. When I took a walk there in mid-May, the air was humid and smelled like fresh soil and rain water. It smelled like the forest was very old and untouched, and yet with it being spring, it felt so new and young. The ground was soft to the touch because it was padded with a layer of pine needles or moss. The trees were filled with sounds of chirping birds, but often their song was muddled by the roar of the river that ran alongside the path. Yes, this is how I imagine a tropical forest to be like.

Part of what made the riverside walk so rewarding was that its appearance was quite surprising. The entrance to the park was very misconceiving. I approached from a side parking lot at the intersection between Pottersville Road and Lamerson Road, which I later realized was not the main entrance. However, I feel like this entrance was a better choice because it put us at the more wild side of the river, and the crowds were all on the other side! When I approached the overgrown, shady trailhead, it said "no bear hunting allowed here." While I was at first relieved that at least we won't risk being shot at on our hike, my mom noted that this means this would be where the bears would be. What a frightening thought.

We did not see any bears. Phew!

Overall, the trip was so wonderful and peaceful. There were so many steep hills, old trees, huge boulders, and mossy brooks. Trees had also fallen into the river, where adventurous folk tried to balance their way across. I watched with admiration as one large family made it across the river by holding on to each others' shoulders, hoisting the young children on their backs, and using long sticks to press into the river as balance.

I was also impressed by the diversity of the visitors. As I have noticed with many New Jersey state parks, there are often many races and languages represented, and groups ranging from large families, to couples, to groups of friends were there. I guess everybody appreciates a trip to free good quality nature!

I can't wait to go to the park again to explore the other side of the river. I wonder if the coming summer weather will make this wild oasis feel more and more like a mini tropical rainforest of New Jersey.