natureintoaction

Guide to Mount Olive Trails

These trail descriptions are provided by volunteers of the Mount Olive Open Space Committee to highlight our trail system and our outdoor treasures within our 31sq mile township. The descriptions are best used with our trails map. 

You can find the interactive map of our trail system here:

Thank you for leaving the trails better than you found them. To assist with trail improvements or report on trail conditions please contact the Mount Olive Open Space Committee (mtotrails@gmail.com) and join our Facebook group to learn more about trail walks and volunteer opportunities.  You can also sign on to become a trail steward HERE and stewards may share a trail report HERE

Mount Olive Trail Regulations

  • Trails are open from dawn to dusk.
  •  Trails are carry-in, carry-out; refuse is to be disposed of properly.
  • Pets must be kept on leash and cleaned-up after.
  • Motorized vehicles are prohibited, including ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Police may impound such vehicles pending a municipal court hearing.
  • Horses and bicycles are allowed on some trails (check trail descriptions).
  • Please use our trails with a stewardship ethic, leave them better than you found them.
  • Respect private property and nearby homes. Stay on designated trails.

Recommendations

  • Wear bright colors on all trails during hunting season (September through February).
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
  • Prepare for weather changes and bring plenty of water.
  • Make sure to check yourself for ticks upon the completion of your hike.
  • Bring a bag to collect any litter
  • Share photos on social media to help highlight our natural areas and recreational opportunities.

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

WHITE TRAIL  (View/Print PDF of the White Trail Map)


Description: This trail begins on Old Budd Lake Rd ( 40.887964, -74.723251 ) behind Adams Bagels. It enters a hardwood forest and ascends before crossing under the power line right of way and meandering through a wooded wetland habitat. The trail curves around a large dead forest that has been flooded by beavers.  The dead trees have become a rookery for herons to raise their young. You’ll walk over some boardwalks built by township eagle scouts and come to the Gold Mine Road parking area in .08 miles
( 40.878577, -74.720833 ).

Due to beaver activity, boots are strongly recommended. The trail then reenters the forest and gently gains elevation as it winds through the Turkey Brook Park Greenway reaching its highest elevation of 1202 feet at Mt. Olive just before the large Greenway parking area on Flanders Rd in 1.1miles (40.865919, -74.717325).

After a short walk along Flanders Rd. the trail enters into the east side of Turkey Brook Park (40.867060, -74.725483) on a gravel pathway. At this point there are options to split off into the park and directly down to the Maiers Pond on the blue trail 0.7miles or stay on the white trail 1.6miles downhill through a forested trail toward the pond. After reaching the pond, the white trail loops around the southwest side of the pond, crosses Turkey Brook (a NJ Fish and Wildlife designated wild trout stream) over a log bridge, and ascends east to slightly higher elevation through a forested trail on to School House Lane and further along to the High School 0.6miles (Lot D when school is not in session) creating the potential to loop back towards the Greenway Parking Area in 0.8miles (40.865919, -74.717325) and/or a return hike to where the trail begins off of route 46 1.9 miles away (40.887964, -74.723251).

Trail Distances:
Adam’s Bagels to Goldmine Road 0.8miles
Goldmine Road to Mt. Olive Greenway 1.1miles
Mt. Olive Greenway to Mt. Olive High School 0.8miles
Mt. Olive High School (Lot D when school is not in session) to Maiers Pond 0.6miles
Maiers Pond through Turkey Brook Park to Greenway 1.6miles

Orange Trail Length: 1.0 mile
Nearly level for its entire length, the Orange Trail follows a footpath through an attractive wooded area. Some sections are rocky, and wet areas are sometimes traversed on logs, with the footing a little rough in places, but the trail as a whole is not at all difficult.
Beginning at a junction with the White Trail, 100 feet north of the clearing at the northwest corner of Maiers Pond, the Orange Trail heads east and runs parallel to the north shore of the pond, but some distance from the shore. It crosses a wet area on puncheons near the eastern end of the pond and, at 0.3 mile, passes an interesting wetland.
After closely paralleling the pond’s inlet stream for about 500 feet, the Orange Trail bears left and moves away from the stream. It continues through the woods, crossing several streams on wooden bridges and a number of wet areas on puncheons or logs, until it ends, 1.0 mile from the start, at a second intersection with the White Trail.
The Orange Trail can be combined with the White Trail to form a very scenic loop around Maiers Pond.
 

MAIERS POND

Parking: Drive or walk down the gravel road behind the Dog Park in Turkey Brook Park
Distance: 0.8 mile to the pond.
Description: From the gate located at the back of Turkey Brook Park walk down hill on the gravel pathway to the pond. On the way you will pass stands of Staghorn Sumac and Autumn Olive, pass a small open field known as the bird sanctuary and continue down through a hardwood forest of Oak and Maple to reach the pond. You may wish to turn around after enjoying the pond or continue further on an extended hike using the trails map. The white trail continues past the pond towards Mount Olive High School and does offer a loop around if you connect with the orange trail (approximately 1 hour). Look for Beaver, Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker and more. The pond offers wonderful opportunities to fish for Bass, Bluegill and Perch. Please be sure to carry out fishing refuse and leave the place better than you found it.

MORRIS CANAL GREENWAY (PREVIOUSLY THE BRAILLE TRAIL)

Parking: Continental Drive, Budd Lake ( 40.908418, -74.720006 ) or Plane Street in Stanhope, NJ ( 40.904082 -74.712377 )
Distance: 1.4 miles there and back.
Description: This trail located in Allamuchy State Park is 0.7 mile one way and meanders along a section of the old Morris Canal. The trail is a smooth gravel pathway and passes the stone ruins of the lock tenders house 0.2 mile from Continental Drive.  Look for the many Painted Turtles basking on rocks and logs and King Fishers feeding when water levels are low. Native plant species including Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, IronWeed, Milkweed and Elderberry are on brilliant display during the late summer and early autumn (service projects available to remove encroaching invasive plants). This trail also offers excellent opportunities for a level snowshoe or xc ski pathway. At the entrance of Plane Street on the Stanhope side of the trail is an old bridge that crosses over the Musconetcong River.

SILVER SPRINGS TRAIL (orange blazes)

Parking: Best access is along Flanders-Drakestown Rd near Theresa drive. 40°51’01.6″N 74°42’53.3″W https://goo.gl/maps/2zJ5JjaHucUhvf3B7
The trail ends across from Matt’s Glass along the road shoulder on Rt. 206. The gravel parking lot along rt 206 is private and should not be used.
Distance: 2.06 one way.
 
Description: Starting at Flanders-Drakestown Rd enter the field access where you see the orange blazes. Turn right along the cornfield and walk toward the top of the field and enter the woods. Follow the orange blazes through the forest and along some old stone walls. When the trail exits the forest you’ll walk straight down both of the fields to the opposite end and you’ll be on a flat before the trail drops downhill and crosses a beautiful stream. Continue on and you’ll reach rt 206 across from Matt’s Glass.
 

BUDD LAKE VISTA KNOLL TRAIL

Parking: Along Kennedy Drive. Distance:​ 0.4 miles

Description:​ Enter the forest opening along Sandshore Road and walk down into a wooded wetland area before ascending to the vista overlooking Budd Lake. The view will be best when the leaves are down off the trees.

  • Did you know the lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet and is on average about 9 feet deep!
  • The lake is the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River!
  • The Budd Lake Bog was created by thousands of years of decaying plant material and supports wetland species including black spruce and tamarack which grow on the floating mass!
  • The lake is recharged through groundwater seepage through a series of wetlands!

Thank you for leaving the trails better than you found them. To assist with trail improvements or report on trail conditions please contact the Mount Olive Open Space Committee (mtotrails@gmail.com) and join our Facebook group to learn more about trail walks and volunteer opportunities.  You can also sign on to become a trail steward HERE and stewards may share a trail report HERE

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