Columbia Trail: A Local Gem With Something for Everyone

Have you heard of the Hookerman?  According to legend, the Hookerman worked on the New Jersey Central Railroad, which used to run in the space now occupied by the Columbia Trail. One night the Hookerman accidentally fell into the path of an oncoming train. The train cut off his left arm, leaving him with a wound that led to his death. They say his spirit still wanders the area.  Sometimes you can see the flickering glow from his lantern, swinging back and forth as he searches for his missing left arm.

Fear of the Hookerman might be one reason to avoid the Columbia Trail.  But if you’re willing to risk a chance encounter, you should visit the Columbia Trail. It’s a fantastic trail with something to offer everyone.

The Columbia Trail runs from the border of Mount Olive Township (Bartley Road) to High Bridge in Hunterdon County, a total of about 15 miles. It’s divided into three major sections:

• Mount Olive Township / Bartley Road to Long Valley (about 4 miles)
• Long Valley to Hunterdon County line (about 4 miles)
• Hunterdon County line to High Bridge (about 7 miles)

For a detailed overview of the trail, please visit wikipedia or the NJ Trails Association.  This post outlines what makes the Columbia Trail worth a visit and suggests some activities ideally suited for the trail.

What makes the Columbia Trail Worth a Visit?

The Columbia Trail has all the attributes of a great trail:

• Safety.  The trail consists of neatly groomed, packed stone dust, and footing is safe for the length of the trail.  Most sections of the trail are isolated from the street, so there is low risk of issues with car traffic.  Visibility to oncoming cars is good at each street crossing.

• Accessibility.  The trail offers frequent (every mile on average) entry and exit points, and parking is available at eight locations along the trail.  The trail is centrally located within Long Valley, which could be useful if you’re getting together with a group.  The trail is an artery through the valley with off-shoots into towns (Long Valley, Califon, High Bridge) and parks (Schooley’s Mountain, Teetertown, Lockwood Gorge) along the way.

• Ease of use.  The trail is well-marked, with mile markers posted every quarter mile in most sections of the trail.  The trail is very flat, making it easy to walk, run, or ride.  The trail is also well-shaded, making it pleasant to use on summer days when the sun is scorching.

• Scenery.  The Long Valley sections of the trail pass forests and horse farms.  The Hunterdon County section of the trail parallels the South Branch of the Raritan river and passes through the Ken Lockwood Gorge, a wildlife management area with some of the best scenery in New Jersey. Crowd / “busyness”.  Based on my experience running the trail, it has the right level of “busy.”  It’s never been crowded, and enough people use the trail to prevent it from being lonely.

This rare combination of features makes Columbia Trail a great place for a wide variety of activities.

Things to do on the Trail

Below are just a few of the many things you can do on the Columbia Trail.

• Go long.  The length of the trail (30 miles round trip) makes it ideal for a long, casual bicycle ride (or run or walk).  Stop off in Long Valley, Califon, or High Bridge for a bite to eat, rest, and bathroom break.

• Explore.  Take the trail somewhere you’ve never been before.  Take a trip to High Bridge for lunch;  spend half a day exploring the Lockwood Gorge or Teetertown Ravine.  You could explore the areas connected to the trail for weeks.

• Get together.  Use the trail as a gathering point for group activities.  Many running groups, including some from Chester, meet at various places on the Columbia Trail for group runs.

• Take the kids.  The safety and flat nature of the trail makes it ideal for introducing kids to walking, running, or bike riding.  My oldest daughter just started riding her bike, but the hills and car traffic make it difficult to ride in my neighborhood.  I’m looking forward to riding with her on the Columbia Trail.

If you plan to go

If you plan to visit the Columbia Trail, keep in mind a couple of gotchas:

• There are no water fountains or bathrooms and only one trash can on the trail.  You’ll find all three in Long Valley, Califon, and High Bridge but not in between.  Consider packing water and a container for your trash.
• While most of the trail is shaded, some sections of the trail are in full sunlight.  Plan to bring appropriate sun protection.

The Columbia Trail is one of many parks and trails that we can easily use here in Long Valley.  It’s unique combination of features makes it a must-visit trail for anyone interested in the outdoors.  If you haven’t been there, what are you waiting for?

And let me know if you run into the Hookerman - I’ve been wanting to meet him for years.

What did I miss?  Is there a must-see feature of the Columbia Trail that I should have mentioned?  What do you use the Columbia Trail for?  Please post a comment and continue the discussion.