Old Date: 9.24.11

New Date: 10.2.11 at 11AM

If you cannot make the new date please email Laura@NJYP.org by 9.30.11 for a refund.

When autumn sets in and birds begin to migrate south, hundreds of hawk watchers descend on this central Somerset County park to watch thousands of hawks, falcons and eagles journey to warmer climates.  We’ll explore several sections of this park and hopefully witness the migration ourselves – bring binoculars if you own them!   After the hike the group may go out for drinks and a late lunch.

Member Cost:
$5 for the first 5
$10 for the next 6 to 25
$20 at the door

Non-Member Cost:
$20 online and at the door.

Specs:
Classified as moderate and includes several climbs.
Length of the hike will be about 6 - 7 miles. 
We will walk at a moderate pace.
The hike should take 3 – 3.5 hours.
As with all hikes you must be in good, athletic shape.

Sweeper:
If the group size is larger than 10, we are going to look for a volunteer to act as a sweeper. Sweepers will walk at the end of the hike line and will make sure the group stays together.

Hike Leader:
Keira will be leading this hike.

What to bring:
Hiking boots and at least 2 liters of water (required).
We will stop for lunch/snack about half way through the hike so we recommend you bring something to eat. We also recommend tissues, plastic bags for garbage, and similar items.

Inclement Weather:
Heavy precipitation will cancel this hike; drizzle will not. Please check your inbox for updates and the NJYP.org calendar. Tickets will be refunded.

Finding the Group:
Meet in the parking lot PROMPTLY at 10:30.  Please allow extra travel time as many of these parks are harder to find.

Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.596155,-74.574144&ll=40.596129,-74.574178&spn=0.004407,0.010568&sll=40.596843,-74.573486&sspn=0.015633,0.01568&num=1&layer=c&cbll=40.596129,-74.574178&panoid=Y8hy1dAsQYYpC1qgq2FFwA&cbp=12,99.39,,0,16.31&t=h&z=17

Driving Directions:
From Route 22
Follow Route 22 to Chimney Rock/Thompson Roads exit in Bridgewater. Traveling eastbound, you will need to make the u-turn and cross back over Route 22. Traveling westbound, just make a right onto Thompson Road. At the end of Thompson bear right onto Chimney Rock Road. Drive approximately 1.5 miles until the road ends. Turn left onto Washington Valley Road. Make the first left onto Newman's Lane. Travel on Newman's Lane until you cross over a small bridge. There will then be a paved parking lot on the left side. The park is immediately on the left.

Useful Link:
http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksfacilities/washValley/WashingtonValleyPk.html