The Pine Barrens Explorers have a look at the former DeMarco bogs, November 6, 2004

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As many of you know, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation recently acquired around 9,000 acres of pinelands from J. Garfield DeMarco. I had toured the property briefly with Emile DeVito of the NJCF, but it was time to get a good look. Pine Barrens Explorers founder, Bob M. and I led a hike into the property to see what was there. We started up on Rt. 532 near the Batona trailhead and then worked our way to the southeast winding up on Rt. 563 where the Wading River crosses it. Here's what we did and saw...

We intersected a dike and followed it. Near the railroad tracks we discovered that the railroad bridge had been removed, and all we found of it were some spikes.

Next, before coming into the main part of the bogs, we came across an old pump house. Emerging into the bogs, we found a beautiful reservoir. Some PBXers, being PBXers, couldn't resist walking on to a bog. Mike can be seen with his camera in the prone position, prior to he and Guy setting up a group photo...

Moving on to a new bog, Mike and Phil decide to go out and look at plants. The picture of the shadow is of Phil standing by a sluice gate. We also found a dump where the leftover crud from cranberry production was deposited, and our plant guys had to see what was growing there. Then we found a sand hill near an old blueberry field. After that we found another pump house, but this on still had a pump in it, which Bob M. is examining. After we left the pump house, someone noticed that Phil was carrying a passenger in the form of a praying mantis...

Next, we came upon a beaver dam, which Guy felt he just had to cross.

Then, on a bushwhack to get us to the Wading River, we found a huge deer stand supported by two trees and a post. Guy, of course, had to climb it. Mike looks up in amazement!

Finally we reached the Wading River, and were rewarded with some nice views, including another beaver dam. All in all it was a splendid day in spite of cat brier and wet feet!