Open?
- Thread starter Amy
- Start date
moray42
Merman
Not sure if the park has officially made the call that any of the sections are open, but some are rideable. Mainly only from the trail head from the lot kiosk out to the fire road and then right back to duck farm and to the lot. There are a few other bits that have been worked on, but will require hiking the bike thru. Stuff further out is still clogged up with debris. Survey showed 127 downed trees just in the MTB trails, so it is going to take a bit of time.
See this thread for more details following the last trail maintenance day.
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28232
The park has said that all, or at least most of the other trails towards the park building are open. With the cooler weather Wharton is starting to firm up more again, and some sandy stuff had just been cleaned up during the maintenance session this past weekend. So if you're looking for another close ride, there is another possibility.
See this thread for more details following the last trail maintenance day.
http://www.mtbnj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28232
The park has said that all, or at least most of the other trails towards the park building are open. With the cooler weather Wharton is starting to firm up more again, and some sandy stuff had just been cleaned up during the maintenance session this past weekend. So if you're looking for another close ride, there is another possibility.
moray42
Merman
There are a number of patches of sand due to the summer drying, but most is still packed. Trailhead is at the far corner of the Batsto parking lot. It is a stacked loop, so as long as you stay on the marked trails you shouldn't have to worry about getting lost. Only issue i've really heard of was people accidentally taking/staying on the 19 mile loop when they planned to do one of the shorter ones. As long as you keep tabs on the markers it shouldn't be an issue.
There is a map kiosk at the trailhead, and you can also get copy of the map here.
http://www.jorba.org/wharton
One thing worth noting is that the orange loop goes all the way around, so you will see orange markers double up with green or blue depending on what section you are on. Had people ask worried they were on the wrong trail since they saw the orange markers. If you get to a point where all you see for a little while are orange tags, then you are on the Penns Branch Trail (aka orange).
There is a map kiosk at the trailhead, and you can also get copy of the map here.
http://www.jorba.org/wharton
One thing worth noting is that the orange loop goes all the way around, so you will see orange markers double up with green or blue depending on what section you are on. Had people ask worried they were on the wrong trail since they saw the orange markers. If you get to a point where all you see for a little while are orange tags, then you are on the Penns Branch Trail (aka orange).
Optiwizard
Member
its super easy to follow and some fun trials there. Highly recommend wharton. Its pretty much very similar to estell but options for more miles.
There is still not a full loop ride able, so the north end trails are closed. The park has made it clear that all open trails anywhere in the park are ride able, so stop by the nature center for the latest map that marks green "open" trails.
I know it seems like a long time since July, but when you get out there and see the conditions it becomes much more understandable. The park is plugging away at it, as are more than a few volunteers. When we have another "all hands on deck" TM day scheduled I will post it here.
I know it seems like a long time since July, but when you get out there and see the conditions it becomes much more understandable. The park is plugging away at it, as are more than a few volunteers. When we have another "all hands on deck" TM day scheduled I will post it here.
December 2012 Hunting Closures
Will defer final hoohaa to Gerry and Ken, but it looks like we want to stay off of the county trails at the Galloway tract and the north end of Estell Manor Park, 12/3/12 to 12/8/12 and 12/12/12 to 12/14/12.
http://www.aclink.org/PARKS/mainpages/dmz_61.asp
Will defer final hoohaa to Gerry and Ken, but it looks like we want to stay off of the county trails at the Galloway tract and the north end of Estell Manor Park, 12/3/12 to 12/8/12 and 12/12/12 to 12/14/12.
http://www.aclink.org/PARKS/mainpages/dmz_61.asp
theranch
Active Member
For the Galloway Tract riding this time of year safely occurs on Sundays. No hunting in the park on that day. I ride after dark or Sundays.
theranch
Active Member
I saw a post on Facebook that a small crew went in a cleared trees to make it ridable again.
First time I've been out to Estell since the bad wind storm of last year. I just want to thank JORBA who out there and took down all the fallen trees. You did a wonderful job opening and rerouting the loop. It rides completely different than before and adds a whole new dimension both ways....I want to remind some that new trails (longer than rerouts) aren't warranted. We all want to create awesome riding trails..however, you should go about it the right way and join J.O.R.B.A. Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association and join them with maintenance and propose your ideas to build new trails....it might not be the easy way..but its the way to do it right 
Happy Trails.
Happy Trails.
The Kalmyk
Well-Known Member
Did the single track loop with my son in his trailer... Spent the rest of the day combing thru his hair like a chimp on a National Geographic film... I won't be going back till the winter... The ticks and flies are too much
teabagger11
Well-Known Member
i'm going to be in Del Haven next week is it worth the trip up to try Estelle or should I just stick with Belleplain, also anyone available to guide anygiven day?
They are similar in terrain and ride length, with belleplain being the newer of the two trails. Ticks per mile ratio is the same =p
I am sure if you post up some dates/times one of the locals will be willing to show you around. Neither is large enough to get too lost though.
I am sure if you post up some dates/times one of the locals will be willing to show you around. Neither is large enough to get too lost though.