Finally got a great day for a hike... although, we didn't have much time. We headed to Maurice River Bluffs Wildlife Sanctuary outside of Millville in south Jersey. This park is kind of a hidden gem for hiking in the area, as not too many people know too much about it, and I believe it is fairly new. The trails only equal about 4 miles total, but they seem to be adding new trails (the yellow trail was new the last time I went.) Some parts of the blue trail was closed, I'm guessing due to trees down from the terrible rains and winds recently, but still a pleasant hike. For you GPS types, 1400 Silver Run Road in Millville will get you to the entrance area. When you enter from the parking lot, the blue trail goes both left and right, we have always taken the left and followed to the red trail.
The red trail actually heads down a little hill and proceeds to go between two hills for a while. The thing that surprised me about this hike was the fact it was not flat like I expected. You follow the red trail for a while which turns into a woods road and leads you to the Maurice River.
The first time I did this hike, there was a lot of trash around this area, but someone had done a really nice job of cleaning it up. Here, you will follow the white trail (closed today unfortunately) which does a short loop along the river bluffs and gives you some nice wildlife shots and views of the river. After the white trail you will proceed left down a hill and pick up the remainder of the red trail. I was actually surprised the amount of wildlife in the area being we were fairly close to Millville (less than 5 miles), but I was able to see this:
finish following the red trail which ends back at the blue trail, now the blue trail goes left, however there is a sign that says that part is closed, so make a right instead and make a left on the alternate blue trail(sign posted) and follow to the river again. The alternate ends at the blue trail in which you have to make a right and follow along the river. The trail the turns into a woods road leading you back towards the parking lot, however you will pass some old ruins along the way.
and you will also pass an open field (which the new yellow trail comes into play) and which seems to be swarmed with butterflies in the summer months.
The blue trail contines back to the parking lot... All in all, if you do the white trail, and the full blue trail (not the alternate) the hike will take appx 1:15. For you folks who come from a distant, it is a good hike to combine with Bellplain SF.
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