r/njhiking

Hi folks,

I’m planning to hike up AT from Mt Minsi to Tott’s Gap to Kittatinny Mountain. (See Orange overlay line in Pic 1). For the way back, I’m thinking of turning around after Kittatinny Mtn or the Kirkridge shelter and then walking along the Tott’s Gap Road.

My questions are:

1. Is the whole route generally safe when wet from light rain? Any areas to watch out for?
2. Does the Tott’s Gap road see heavy car traffic ? Safe to walk on?
3. Satellite imagery shows some clearings adjacent to this road (see black arrows in Pic 2). Are these pipelines/power clearings? Would you advice against using them as trails?
4. Any other tips?

Thanks a ton.

Pic 1

Pic 2 with clearings highlighted with black arrows

Clearings sat imagery

Return route as currently planned, walk along Tott's gap road

Hiking in to a tent site at Worthington SF for the first time. My plan is to take a bus to the area, taxi/Uber to the AT trailhead next to Mt. Tammany. Hike in about 5 miles along the AT and navigate to the park office at WSF. Check in, buy firewood, set up at my site and then enjoy the good life!

I have to hang my food which I haven't done before. I have a big thick dry bag that I thought would be good. Watched some videos on how to do it, but I imagine it will probably be a comedy to watch.

Does my plan sound okay?

Never been to the DWG or this campground. Any intel or tips are appreciated.

Has anybody experienced the influx of ticks this season yet that I keep hearing about? I’ve always done trail running at Norvin Green and Mt. Tammany in shorts and have never had a tick on me. Recent news about higher tick encounters kept me from doing trail runs this year and I hate running in pants and also want to avoid spraying chemicals like permethrin on my clothes…

Has anyone hiked that section lately and seen old logs or stones?

https://preview.redd.it/gk4byko5jx0h1.jpg?width=1392&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98943cb53383743b96aa8fa2d866624a3e40ac87

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Abram+S+Hewitt+State+Forest/@41.1764992,-74.3687856,3272m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m11!1m4!8m3!1e1!3m1!1e1!3m5!1s0x89c32262089436d1:0x9c1afd737ddfcd2!8m2!3d41.1764841!4d-74.3584859!16s%2Fm%2F0czb3k2?hl=en-US&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUxMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D