Wharton Conditions

slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
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Karate Monkey

Well-Known Member
NJStateParklogo

Wharton State Forest Trails Status​

wharton1


As you probably have heard, Wharton State Forest was severely impacted earlier this week by a wildfire that was started by an illegal campfire set along the Mullica River. As a result, all recreational trails along the Mullica and Batsto Rivers between Atsion and Batsto Village are closed indefinitely. This includes all hiking and mountain biking trails. In addition, the Mullica and Batsto Rivers are also closed in this area as is the Mullica River Campground.
In order for these trails and rivers to reopen to recreation, State Park Service personnel and volunteers must inspect them for hazards like downed trees and trees in danger of falling and remediate the hazards. In addition, many of the trail markings and signs were destroyed by the fire and will need to be repainted or replaced.
We're working now to get these trails inspected, remediated and open again to the public. When they are ready for recreation, we'll let you know.
Until the trails reopen, stay safe and stay off the trails.

Ho-lee-chit, really? Someone was dumb enough to make a campfire, and started it?

Obvs the blazed trails are closed, but does that include the forest roads, @pibbles / @slingblade_uhhuh ?
 

slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
@teabagger11 The ticks are still there. Flicked several off myself while out there. @Mtbr222 Thanks for asking. Had to cancel that planned TM. Assessments are still being made. Hope to follow up with some maintenance dates soon. @Karate Monkey Yeah. You’ll sometimes see dumb crazy beyond-the-rules stuff out there. If you do, use the WARN-DEP app to report it, or call 1-800-WARN-DEP.

I’m guessing that the Forestry staff would like me to mention that they regularly update their on-line pages with closures and openings. And that if there are any questions that are not answered on their pages to call the Batsto Office 609-5610024 or the Atsion Office 609-268-0444.
https://www.facebook.com/whartonsf/
https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/whartonstateforest.html

Note… Its not pleasant out there in the burnt area. The burnt forest smell is everywhere. There is not much shade. You’ll still find ticks on yourself. And big clouds of deer flies still find you when near the wetlands. If you want to ride WSF… Maybe fat bike explore the unburnt stuff around Carranza or Harrisville. If I had not already volunteered, and wanted to ride, I’d head to Fair Hill or maybe the AC Boardwalk. :)
 
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slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
From the Wharton State Forest Facebook page.
*Hiking and mountain bike trails from Atsion to Batsto remain closed. Hot spots continue to burn in the interior of the fire perimeter. Trails are estimated to reopen Saturday, July 9, after trails have been cleared of any hazards.*

Wharton's Forestry staff regularly update their on-line pages with closures and openings. If you have questions that are not answered on their pages, call the Batsto Office 609-5610024 or the Atsion Office 609-268-0444 before going.
https://www.facebook.com/whartonsf/
https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/whartonstateforest.html
 

slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
The WSF mountain bike trails remain closed. The hiking trails between Batsto and Atsion remain closed Please do not ride or hike the trails.

The JORBA-Wharton Chapter has been working with forestry staff assisting them on the follow up of their post-fire assessments. We will be heading out this Sunday morning to work on several items. DM your RSVP to if you want to help. Location/time will be in the reply. Attendence is limited. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Bring appropriate footware, water, snack, and a sense of humor. Trail tools will be available. Thanks!
 

Mtbr222

New Member
The WSF mountain bike trails remain closed. The hiking trails between Batsto and Atsion remain closed Please do not ride or hike the trails.

The JORBA-Wharton Chapter has been working with forestry staff assisting them on the follow up of their post-fire assessments. We will be heading out this Sunday morning to work on several items. DM your RSVP to if you want to help. Location/time will be in the reply. Attendence is limited. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Bring appropriate footware, water, snack, and a sense of humor. Trail tools will be available. Thanks!
Unfortunately working Sunday would def rather be in the woods
 

slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
The WSF Batsto area mountain bike trails remain closed. All of the WSF hiking trails located between Batsto and Atsion remain closed Please do not ride or hike the trails. The Atsion equestrian multi-use double track roads/trails are open.

Thank you to @Sandshark and @pibbles for clearing out leaners and deadfall this past weekend!

<joke>If anyone sees a KatanaBoy500 folding saw hanging out there on the PBT. Please let me know. I loaned it to @pibbles and he swears that he lost the saw out there. :D </joke>
 
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slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
From the Wharton State Forest Facebook page.

*All other trails from Atsion to Batsto, including the mountain biking trails, will remain closed until further notice. Hot spots continue to burn in the interior of the fire perimeter.*

As always in July, the deer flys and ticks are bad. So we're not really missing much. White Clay Creek is prime right now.
 
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slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
If anyone is asking about post-fire trail conditions.
The trail is summertime brushy where it didn’t burn. Trees continue to drop where it did burn. Both items are currently being addressed by the volunteers during the cooler days. The ferns seem to have enjoyed the fire and have quickly grown back thicker and taller. The deer flys are still angry. The ticks are still everywhere.
 

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pibbles

Well-Known Member
It's my Birthday!
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If anyone is asking about post-fire trail conditions.
The trail is summertime brushy where it didn’t burn. Trees continue to drop where it did burn. Both items are currently being addressed by the volunteers during the cooler days. The ferns seem to have enjoyed the fire and have quickly grown back thicker and taller. The deer flys are still angry. The ticks are still everywhere.
Ticks happen. So do deer flies...cue the chigger song Kurt...
 

slingblade_uhhuh

JORBA Board Member/Chapter Leader
JORBA.ORG
Monday 9/19/22 trail maintenance. We'll be brushing back several miles of the PBT. Meet in lot at 8:00 AM. DM for details. Bring; bug spray, water, snacks, suitable footwear, and a sense of humor. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Clippers will be provided. Thanks!
 

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