Get DirectionsMost trails in this park (including those that make up this hike) are open to joggers, bicyclists and equestrians. Although park regulations provide that bicyclists must yield to all other trail users, hikers should be alert for approaching bicycles on narrow trails. Hikers must yield to equestrians. From the trailhead kiosk at the eastern end of the parking area, bear left and follow a...
Hike Description:
Most trails in this park (including those that make up this hike) are open to joggers, bicyclists and equestrians. Although park regulations provide that bicyclists must yield to all other trail users, hikers should be alert for approaching bicycles on narrow trails. Hikers must yield to equestrians. From the trailhead kiosk at the eastern end of the parking area, bear left and follow a footpath through a meadow. At the end of the meadow, you'll reach a trail junction. Turn right and follow a footpath through wild rose thickets and tangled vines, then continue through second-growth woodlands, descending gradually on a winding footpath. At the next trail junction, marked by a signpost, bear right and continue on a footpath through dense mountain laurel thickets.
In another quarter of a mile, you'll reach a junction where the Claypit Run Trail goes off to the right. Turn left here, following the Valley View Trail, which briefly descends on an eroded path through evergreens and then continues through thick mountain laurel. In another third of a mile, continue ahead where a side trail leaves to the right at an unmarked signpost (this side trail is not shown on the park map). Just beyond, you'll reach a T-intersection. Turn right and proceed for 100 feet to a Y-intersection, then bear right and continue through second-growth woodlands. After a moderate climb, you'll reach a T-intersection marked by a signpost. Turn right and continue on a relatively level trail.
About a mile and a half from the start, you'll cross dirt Brown's Dock Road diagonally to the left. Just beyond, bear right and loop around a meadow overgrown with cedar and dogwood trees. Continue about halfway around the meadow, then proceed ahead on a wide path as an unmarked trail joins from the left (this wide path, which heads south, is not shown on the park map).
In another 125 feet, you'll reach a trail junction. A signpost indicates that the trailhead is to the left, but you should turn right. In 100 feet, you'll reach another junction, where you should again turn right. You're now on the Many Log Run, marked with a black diamond on the park map. In about 500 feet, the trail begins to descend through thick laurels on an eroded footpath. At the base of the descent, the trail curves to the left and soon starts a gentle climb.
After proceeding through thick laurels, the trail reaches a fork, where you should bear right. In 75 feet, continue ahead as a trail joins from the left at a signpost. The trail makes a short, steep climb, then levels off. Continue ahead where an unmarked trail crosses at a blacked-out signpost. Soon, you'll notice McClees Road ahead through the trees. The trail bears left and continues on an undulating, winding footpath.
About three miles from the start of the hike, you'll pass a wide, unmarked path that leads to the right. In another 100 feet, you'll reach a junction marked by a signpost and a map. Turn left here, now following the Meadow Ramble Trail, marked with a blue square on the park map and on the signpost. In 400 feet, you'll emerge onto a meadow overgrown with cedar trees. Follow along the left side of the meadow. At the northern end of the meadow, you'll reach a junction marked by a signpost. Bear right, following the blue square trail (the connecting trail that heads straight ahead, marked by a black diamond, is not shown on the park map), and continue along the northern edge of the meadow.
At the northeast corner of the meadow, you'll come to another trail junction, with a house visible ahead. Turn left at the signpost, following the blue square trail, and proceed 400 feet to a T-intersection. Turn right at this intersection, still following the blue square trail. At the next intersection, which you'll reach in 150 feet, the Many Log Run leaves to the left, but you should continue ahead. You'll be retracing your steps for the next 100 feet - this short trail stretch is the center of the "figure-eight." Then, at the following signpost, bear right at the fork, following the sign to the "trailhead."
After crossing Brown's Dock Road once again, you'll cross an unmarked trail and continue ahead, parallel to the road, as another trail joins from the left at a signpost. When you reach the next trail junction, with a meadow and the parking area visible to the right, turn right and follow the trail through the meadow to the trailhead where you began the hike.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 05/22/2003
This figure-eight loop hike circles this park, passing through dense mountain laurel thickets and skirting meadows studded with cedars and dogwood trees.
40.385823, -74.034376
Monmouth Co., NJ
4 mi
2.5 hrs
Web Map: Huber Woods Park Map
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take the Garden State Parkway south to Exit 109. Turn left at the traffic light beyond the toll booths onto Newman Springs Road (County Route 520). Immediately beyond the Parkway overpass, turn right onto a jughandle ramp (the signs at this turn are confusing). Continue ahead for 0.5 mile on Half Mile Road. At the end of this road, turn right at the traffic light onto West Front Street. Continue on West Front Street for 0.8 mile, then turn left onto Hubbard Avenue. Follow Hubbard Avenue for 0.6 mile to Navesink River Road. Turn right onto Navesink River Road and follow it for 3.2 miles to Brown's Dock Road (a gravel road). Turn left and follow Brown's Dock Road for 0.3 mile to the park environmental center, on the right.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Support the trails with a donation!Trip Reports
rate experience
No reviews for this hike, click above rate experience link to review this hike
Log in or register to post comments