Berkshire Valley WMA?

Allamuchy Joe said:
FYI: I believe the rules for Wildlife Management areas state that you can use them for recreation only on Sundays after September 1. That might not even be the case now, as bowhunting can happen on Sundays now, too -- new law passed this past spring, I believe. The WMA areas primary purpose is for hunting, so recreation takes a backseat during hunting season.

I can't find the website that I read that on right now. I'll keep looking.
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IS this no good any more?

http://www2.jorba.org/images/5/59/WMA_Policy.pdf
 
That was the doc I remember seeing. After 9/15 you can only ride on Sundays.
 
Utah Joe said:
That is a cool route. I have ridden compton gobel many many times on my dirt bike years ago. Very rocky double track. Not sure how much fun it would be by bike. But I can literally see the section that winds though mt arlington out my office window. Its making me want to put a ride together. From work, to mahlon, to home (denville). Maybe someday.
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IIRC, your biggest roadblock is gonna be Picatinny.
 
bonefishjake said:
IIRC, your biggest roadblock is gonna be Picatinny.
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I think you can weave your away around the east end of Picatinny on public roads...or you can look a the MB link above that will get you from MDR to Split Rock.

Then one would either have to road it to Denville, or maybe there is a way to get there mostly on dirt.

Easily avoids the arsenal, but one helluva long ride.
 
Fogerson said:
I think you can weave your away around the east end of Picatinny on public roads...or you can look a the MB link above that will get you from MDR to Split Rock.

Then one would either have to road it to Denville, or maybe there is a way to get there mostly on dirt.

Easily avoids the arsenal, but one helluva long ride.
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Cozy Lakes, end of Lyons road, go up, there is a trail along the ridge over Greed Pond. Take that east, drops down onto Sunnyside. Then you can go east on Green Pond to Jacobs, go up and over, you can then bang a left onto some DT, drop down to the old railroad bed and proceed into Split Rock (Farny). Cross over Splitrock Road, thru assorted trails, down to Meriden Road. Take Old Beach Glenn to Jonathans woods then.... voila, you are in Denville.

I have done all of these but not at once.
 
It looks like it is ok to ride in there.. I can't find anything explicit in the links above aside from the times of the year where this is allowed. Obviously not a good place to go during hunting season... Am I missing something?
 
greatwhite99 said:
It looks like it is ok to ride in there.. I can't find anything explicit in the links above aside from the times of the year where this is allowed. Obviously not a good place to go during hunting season... Am I missing something?
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There is restricted use of the WMA's during hunting season. Here is the discussion on bikes on their website...

"Mountain biking is allowed on existing trails and secondary roads on wildlife management areas from March 1 to April 15 and June 1 to September 15, as well as on Sundays throughout the year. Bikes are permitted on major designated trails year round except for the Highlands Trail which passes through Berkshire Valley and Wildcat Ridge WMAs. Riding over any dam, wildlife food area, cultivated fields, lawns, gardens and fire break plow-lines is prohibited. Bikers are also prohibited from establishing any new trails through the destruction of existing vegetation. "

The "Sundays throughout the year" is questionable now, as the bow hunters can now hunt on Sundays in WMAs.

Here is the website I got the info from...

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/wmarticl.htm
 
In my last conversation with DEP, I was not informed of any changes to the MTB policy, so Sundays are still open for riding.



The "Sundays throughout the year" is questionable now, as the bow hunters can now hunt on Sundays in WMAs.

Here is the website I got the info from...

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/wmarticl.htm[/QUOTE]
 
trailhead said:
In my last conversation with DEP, I was not informed of any changes to the MTB policy, so Sundays are still open for riding.
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Okay, but I know that the bow hunters can hunt on Sundays now (in WMA's only). It was signed into law for this season.
 
these rides show most of the trails in between rt 15, berkshire valley rd and weldon rd. not all, but most, and nearly all the ones you would need to connect to mahlon. the major one missing heads out of minisink park and descends down to rt 15 right near the gas station at taylor rd. from there, less than a mile of rd will put you on trails leading to mahlon.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3212249

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2366082

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1625950

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1591873

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/1646953

most of these trails, while wide, tend to be steep and technical. with occasional sections of very steep and/or very technical. it is not a very beginner friendly connection. that said, these are the trails i grew up riding, and i'm still alive, so i'm sure a beginner with enough patience could just walk all the tech stuff.
 
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picture.php

trail maze..
http://connect.garmin.com/player/11881565
6.8 mile loop no roads.
 
Dragging this one back out.....

Sean or anyone else, I was wondering about Minisink park. Are there trails that cut through it? or is it all undeveloped, hike a bike stuff?
 
This does not answer your question but adds some options:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4615988

Since you seem interested I'll leave this project to you. 🙂

I would spend some time looking through Sean's old rides. If you come across any of the exploratory nature, send 'em on to me.

I am prety sure Sean went Mooch to MD via that south route, which would presumably include Minisink.

Garmin Connect links:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12875769
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12485966
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11945694
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/14597767

Can't find your connector up through Minisink though. You may want to ping Sean.
 
I did see that link and I was wondering what Sean actually found in there since he commented how he was exploring and it was some hike a bike stuff. I looked through some of sean rides and I think i can do what im looking to do, which is enter the WMA of little lane (or nearby), ride up and through minisink, then across in Mahlon. Thats parts of a death march that I would like to put together. I think if I get some time this weekend I will do some exploring.
 
You understand that part of an actual Death March is not knowing, right?

Plans for a Black Friday Funfest are underway.
 
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