Go Out and Take It In: Babbling Brooks, Rocky Ravines, and Fall Foliage in Morris County

The recent cool, crisp mornings hint at the coming autumn season.  It is a time of transition and beauty throughout the region.  With summer excitement waning, hiking through fall foliage and listening to babbling brooks can be a cathartic experience.  Be sure to go out this season and take in whatever nature has in store for you.
 
Have you ever wondered why leaves change color?  The Forest Resource Education Center can give you the simple answer.  If your curiosity gets the best of you, check it out before you venture out so you can impress your friends when they join you for a hike in beautiful Morris County, New Jersey. You can also explore LeafPeepers.com in order to get the latest New Jersey foliage report.
 
As you follow the fall color progression, you won’t want to miss one of the state’s best hikes, right in Morris County to Pyramid Mountain which features trail system hikes for all ability levels.  While enjoying the colors falling from above, you’ll also notice plenty of rocks below.  You can contemplate the unusual balancing act of Tripod Rock, a glacial erratic remnant of the last Ice Age. Or you can simply immerse yourself in the cleansing sound of water cascading through the rocky ravines. In any case, your thoughts will undoubtedly flow backward and forward through time while enjoying your present experience.
 
Are you looking for a pre-planned event to enjoy?  A quick search of the Morris County Parks Calendar of Events – on the park website, www.morrisparks.net – will provide you countless opportunities to take advantage of during the entire season. Activities are available nearly every day of the week for just about any interest and age level including a fall foliage canoe paddle at Split Rock Reservoir or making fresh apple cider.
 
Does a relaxing stroll on level terrain sound appealing?  What about a leisurely mountain bike ride, horseback riding or a rails-to-trails experience?  Two of the many possibilities include the  Patriots Path and the Black River County Park Trail which runs along the Black River through Cooper Mill and Hacklebarney State Park.
 
Reflecting on the industrial past of the region, crisscrossed with long-forgotten railroads, you might want to venture a bit further along the Black River to Hacklebarney State Park.  Once mined for its iron ore, the weathered rock of this landscape holds further evidence of an even more distant past.  This site reveals proof that the last Ice Age stopped right here, marked by a feature called a moraine.
 
As the seasonal tug on leaves in the mixed oak-hardwood forest becomes more evident, the deeper ravines retain the contrasting green of the eastern hemlock.  Many endangered species call this place home and you might too after seeing its beauty because Hacklebarney State Park is one of the many true gems found within Morris County.
 
After a full day of exploring nature, your stomach may be crying out for some nourishment. Consider visiting one of the many restaurants nearby in Chester or Long Valley. For suggestions on restaurants and attractions to incorporate into your exploration of the area visit www.morristourism.org. 
 
No matter what you do this autumn, go out and take it in!
 
 
 

Contact Information

Deidre Schunk

Information Manager

Morris County Tourism Bureau

(1) 973-631-5151

dschunk@morristourism.org