apshawa preserve

Maple, beech and oak trees are dominant in Apshawa Preserve. But your nostrils may also enjoy a fragrance of  eastern white pines, hemlocks and red cedars on warmer days. Spring is especially beautiful here. Forest canvas mixes the colors of wild flowers such as red columbine, happy violets, fringed polygala and wild geraniums. Like me, you may be  blessed with a sighting of a Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid: an exceptionally extravagant wild, native flower that requires perfect forest conditions to be born. You may even stumble upon a colony of my favorite herb: horsetail. Those bushy tails require moisture to grow and shoot for the sky. And not surprisingly, I discovered them growing in the area of oversaturated, muddy soil close to the lake (i.e. Boonton Reservoir). 

Cool looking rock faces:)

For this easy and truly pleasant walk, follow the blue trail from the parking lot accessed from Northwood Drive, West Milford, NJ to the lake (Boonton Reservoir) and then hop on the red trail going around the lake. There were a couple of spots on the red trail where it was hard to cross because of the mud. Overall it was an easy walk and you can also enjoy several vistas overlooking the preserve. Set aside 2-3 hours to complete your hike. As the blue trail is not overly dotted with rocks nor is it too difficult to walk, I would definitely recommend it for a short trail run.

Explore wonderful trails in Apshawa Preserve. Mover closer to your favorite parks, hikes, trails and lakes. Find a home closer to nature! See what New Jersey offers hikers and nature lovers! Contact Kasia Karolewska if you are buying or selling real estate in New Jersey. Serving Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex Counties. Realize your success!