Tour De Norm

trailhead

JORBA: Wildcat/Splitrock
JORBA.ORG
TDN 2.....having completed the first leg of the tour on a previous outing, from wildcat ridge to greenpond ridge, we continued from access and a good parking spot in Berkshire valley.

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The journey starts with 883 feet of elevation gain in about of mile, just about all of it pushing the bikes. Looks like this...

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Once on top of Mase mountain we head north and stop at the Milton fire tower.

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trailhead

JORBA: Wildcat/Splitrock
JORBA.ORG
After a little break to enjoy the view from the tower, we descended off the mountain into the former ski resort called the "Snowbowl", which now is home to an RC racetrack. We then slowly made our way up Weldon Road and entered Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and sought a resupply of water from the camp area. We left via the Ogden Railroad grade towards Sparta Mountain.

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trailhead

JORBA: Wildcat/Splitrock
JORBA.ORG
Sparta Mountain has the remnants from iron mines owned by Thomas Edison. He had developed a new more efficient way to process ore, but unfortunately he was not a very good businessman. After it was discovered that iron ore could be strip mined in the midwest, the industry in NJ could no longer compete and his operation folded in 1900 at considerable loss. There is an impressive memorial in his honor at the entrance to the WMA. This memorial was crafted by James Christopher, the same of which made the Dean Eberling 911 stone in Allamuchy. He unfortunately is no longer with us. There are mine shafts and pits from operations spanning many years to explore here.



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gtluke

The Moped
Hmm, find me a mining pit suitable for cliff jumping that's far enough from the road that I don't get in trouble like the ironworks :D
 
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