Highest Point in New Jersey and Manitoga [CeleGREAT OUTDOORS]
Highest Point in New Jersey and Manitoga [CeleGREAT OUTDOORS]
Since I started out my hike on a section of the Appalachian Trail, I came across many hikers on my way up to the 1,803 summit. It was a rocky and strenuous climb but the views are always worth it, even if I did climb 290 steps (after the hike) to see things from the top of the monument. And I’m glad that designer Russel Wright, took it upon himself to restore his 75 acres, which had been ruined by logging and quarrying, because it’s such a peaceful and protected area today.
HOW DO YOU GET HERE?
If you’d like to check out the high point first, then click here for directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B018’19.6%22N+74%C2%B040’16.4%22W/@41.305452,-74.6734067,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.305452!4d-74.671218
You can park here for free, avoiding the entrance fee, but the office you’re parking in front of closes by 4PM, so you’ll probably want to move your car by then. When hiking to New Jersey’s high point, you’re going to want to be wearing some sturdy boots, and have some water with you. It’s only about a mile to the summit, but the trail is really rocky and it can take a toll on your feet. As to be expected, when summiting a high point, there’s also a bit of an incline, especially at the end. And there is a trail at the viewing platform on the Appalachian Trail that goes to the beach… you want to ignore that trail and continue on the trail just a little farther until you see a trail that is marked with green blazes: that’s the trail you take to the monument. And the actual high point marker is in front of the monument, past the pavement, attached to one of the rocks in the open area. But if you really want to climb up into the 220′ monument, at the high point, then you’re going to want to come at the following times… Memorial Day weekend to June 24th: 8:30 AM – 4 PM (weekends and holidays only), June 25th to Labor Day: 8:30 AM to 4 PM (daily), Labor Day to Columbus Day: 9:15 AM to 4:45 PM (weekends and holidays only)
If you want to check out Manitoga, go ahead and click here for directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B020’56.0%22N+73%C2%B057’13.6%22W/@41.348891,-73.9559747,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.348891!4d-73.953786
You should see a sign, letting you know that you’re driving up the right driveway.
WANT MORE?
If that wasn’t enough, then here’s the official site for the high point in NJ: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html
You can also check out the official site for Manitoga, here: http://www.russelwrightcenter.org
And here are some other cool places to check out: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1OBIWOEBejBaoyzzHQwXHXHfw-mg&ll=39.93004077710871%2C-90.61264600000004&z=6