The Jewish Outdoors Club

Join the Jewish Outdoors Club as we go hiking on Mount Tammany!! Organizers: Chaim Spear: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Moshe Wolcowitz: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mount Tammany is located in the Worthington State Forest, the hike to the top of Mount Tammany is one of the most rewarding hikes you could ever take. The trail has one of the largest vertical differentials in New Jersey; it rises 1200 feet within less than 2 miles. Because of this, there are sections you will have to climb, or at least crawl up. However, the view is worth it. Sitting on an almost-overhang on the top of the Delaware Water Gap and enjoying the view is one in a lifetime experience. How to get there: To get there, take Interstate 80 W and once within the Delaware Water Gap, look for signs to the Worthington State Forest Information Center. The center actually has a small, grossly overpriced store, and is used by kayakers and rafters, as it lies directly at the river. The parking lot for hiking is on the other side of I-80. You’ll get there if you take the road from the info center south and turn left, going below the I-80. The Way Up: The view from the top is impressive. Once on the parking lot, the trail starts by its entrance to your left, if you face the highway. It is marked red, and starts with a series of steps up the hill. Soon, the trail turns sharp right and all hell breaks loose. You will face about a mile of sharp uphill, mostly on rocky terrain. All guides warn that this part is very slippery. Actually, I’d advise you to ignore this part of the trail completely. Just turn sharp right on the first hint of a trail, before the red-marked one turns right. This is not a marked trail, but it runs parallel with the red-marked one, on the edge of the cliff. If you do so, you avoid all the people and run into a very nice resting place about halfway up the hill, with a couple of flat rocks to sit at and enjoy the view. Once you hit a relatively even terrain, you can proceed for a couple hundred feet without any problems. After that, you’ll run into another rocky section, where the hike transforms into a climb. Even though most of the rocks are firm, watch out for loose rocks and use both of your hands to pull yourself up. Fortunately, this section is not too long, but will cost you most of your strength reserves. Once up, you’ll be presented with a great lookout point, sadly “overpopulated” by other hikers. The good news, however, is that most people give up at this point and turn back down after enjoying the view. The next section seems to be a piece of cake after you’ve came so far, so go even more up, all the way to the top. To your right, you’ll be presented by a rocky almost-overhang where you can sit and enjoy the view. Congratulations, you’ve just conquered one of the harder hikes in New Jersey, and have been presented with one of the most beautiful views! The Way Down: There’s a small stream on the bottom of the mountain. We will take the blue trail, which leads slightly up, directly away from the lookout point. After a short while, the trail turns sharply left. The blue trail is almost as steep as the red trail. The advantage of this trail is that there’s usually less traffic, and it leads through 4-6 feet high and dense undergrowth, creating an almost-tunnel feeling. This just adds to the feeling of being all alone in this world. On the bottom, you’ll run into a very nice stream you can walk along. Later, the blue markings change to white, and you’ll end up on the same parking lot. A Word of Advice: The hike up Mount Tammany is pretty demanding, and you will be hard-pressed to make it, especially if you don't hike every week. You will sweat, but the top is pretty open and windy. You must be reasonably in shape to join. If you’re not sure whether this hike is for you please contact us BEFORE you sign up. Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10 How much does it cost? There’s a three dollars JOC fee to cover our expenses (please bring exact change) Rideshare: We will send out a spreadsheet late this Wednesday evening as soon as we close registration with a list of drivers and their contact details. Passengers are expected to each reimburse their driver $15 for gas, tolls, and wear & tear… How do I sign up? Follow this eventbrite registration link www.jocmounttammany.eventbrite.com See ya all on Sunday!! Chaim Spear & Moshe W