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Sourland Mountain is a...
Hike Description:
Sourland Mountain is a ridge which straddles the borders of Somerset, Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. Due to the harshness of the land and its unsuitability for farming, large portions of the ridge have remained undeveloped. The largest protected portion of the ridge is in Somerset County, where about 6,350 acres have been set aside as a preserve, administered by the Somerset County Park Commission.
Near a small kiosk at the edge of the woods, you'll notice a wooden post with a triple orange blaze, which marks the start of the orange-blazed Maple Flats Trail. Head into the woods on this trail, paralleling a brook on the left. Note the many beech trees, with exposed route systems, along the trail.
In about five minutes, you’ll reach post #1 (many intersections in this park are marked with white-on-green reflective numbers on wooden posts). Here the Maple Flats Trail turns left, crossing the stream on a footbridge, but you should continue ahead, now following the yellow-blazed Devil's Half-Acre Trail.
The yellow-blazed trail proceeds steadily uphill (you’ll climb a total of about 400 vertical feet during the first part of the hike), skirting a small boulder field. It goes through a heavily wooded area, far removed from the homes and farms that you passed on your way to the park. In about ten minutes, the trail levels off, and the black-dot-on-yellow-blazed Devil's Half-Acre Connector Trail begins on the left. Continue ahead on the yellow-blazed trail, which soon resumes its climb.
After leveling off again, the yellow-blazed trail climbs a little more and reaches an area of huge boulders. The first gigantic boulder is just to the left of the trail, but you’ll encounter many other large boulders in the next half hour or so. This is the most interesting part of the hike, so take your time to enjoy the unusual boulders. You’ll pass several overhanging boulders, as well as rocks perched atop large boulders. At one point, the trail goes through a passage between two huge boulders.
Soon, you'll reach Post #2, where the pink-blazed Bouldering Trail begins. You can either take this trail, which rejoins the yellow-blazed trail in 0.2 mile, or continue ahead on the yellow-blazed trail, which follows a slightly longer route. Just beyond the end of the pink-blazed trail, you'll pass a large boulder topped with many small cairns. Here, the other end of the black-dot-on-yellow-blazed Devil's Half-Acre Connector Trail is on the left. Towards the end of the boulder field, be alert for another unique feature of this trail – a large tree that has grown out of a horizontal crack in a boulder!
The trail continues through a forest that features many tulip trees – tall, straight trees, with no branches below the treetops. You’ll notice a number of multiple tulip tree trunks growing out of the same roots.
Finally, after about an hour of hiking, you’ll reach post #3. To the left, the yellow-blazed trail leads back towards the parking area, but you should bear right and follow the white-blazed Tributary Trail, which begins here. In 200 feet, you’ll come to another junction. Here, the white-blazed trail bears left, but you should turn right onto the red-blazed Ridge Trail, which crosses a stream on rocks and proceeds through another boulder field, climbing gently.
In about 15 minutes, you’ll pass through a gap in a chain-link fence. Just beyond, the trail crosses a gas pipeline. A short distance beyond the pipeline, the black-dot-on-red Ridge Connector Trail begins on the left. You should turn right to continue on the red-blazed Ridge Trail, which follows a winding, level path through another boulder field, passing a number of interesting large boulders. After bending sharply to the right, the trail begins a gradual descent.
Soon, you'll reach post #4, where the red-blazed Ridge Trail ends at a junction with the blue-blazed Roaring Rocks Trail. Turn right onto the blue-blazed trail, which continues to descend towards Roaring Brook, passing a large overhanging rock on the left. In 500 feet, the black-dot-on-blue-blazed Roaring Rocks Connector begins on the left, but you should bear right to continue on the blue-blazed trail.
You'll soon reach post #5, marked by a huge cairn. Here, the blue-blazed Roaring Rocks Trail turns left, but proceed ahead on the white-blazed Tributary Trail, which descends on switchbacks and continues parallel to Roaring Brook.
Just beyond an open gate in a chain-link fence, you’ll reach another junction. Here, the black-dot-on-white-blazed Tributary Connector begins on the left, but you should proceed ahead on the white-blazed Tributary Trail. Just ahead, the trail approaches Roaring Brook (note the cascades in the brook when the water level is high), then bears left and heads away from the brook.
In another 15 minutes, you’ll cross a boardwalk over a stream and pass an old stone-and-concrete wall (possibly built as a dam) to the left of the trail. Just beyond, you’ll come to an intersection marked by post #7. The other end of the black-dot-on-white-blazed Tributary Connector is on the left, but you should continue straight ahead on the white-blazed Tributary Trail.
The next stretch of trail is nearly level, and it features many short stretches of boardwalk. In another 20 minutes or so, you’ll reach post #8. Here, the white-blazed trail ends, and you should turn right onto the orange-blazed Maple Flats Trail.
Soon after traversing another long stretch of boardwalk, you’ll again cross the gas pipeline. Continue straight ahead to the next junction, where the black-dot-on-orange-blazed Maple Flats Connector leaves to the left. Here, you should turn right, continuing to follow the orange-blazed Maple Flats Trail. Just ahead, you’ll emerge onto a grassy area and descend towards a small pond. Bear left around the pond, and you’ll reach the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 09/14/2007 updated/verified on 08/01/2021
This hike loops around this Somerset County park, passing through several interesting boulder fields.
40.473877, -74.694413
Somerset Co., NJ
5 mi
4 hrs
Web Map: Sourland Mountain Preserve
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 I-80 west to Exit 43 and proceed south on I-287. Take Exit 17 and continue south on US 206 for about 7.2 miles. Turn right onto Amwell Road (County 514) (do not turn right at New Amwell Road) and proceed for 2.8 miles to East Mountain Road. Turn left onto East Mountain Road and follow it for 1.9 miles to the entrance to Sourland Mountain Preserve, on the right. GPS address: 421 East Mountain Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Give $10 to support trails.
December 31, 1969
19:00 pm
Trip Reports
rate experience February 03, 2011
Sourland Preserve Loop Hike
I did the loop on Memorial Day (hot humid) - an interesting trail but not among my top-ten in the state. The Devil's Half Acre is cool and worth the trek. Pictures from my hike at Sourland Preserve - http://www.flickr.com/photos/sph001/sets/72157624059797373/show/ For me, I did not find Rolling Rocks all that exciting -but perhaps after a major rain storm or winter thaw.... and as noted before - From #6 you can take the Red Square to the Rocks -then continue up to #8.
June 17, 2009
Sourland-
It is now permissible to cross through the fencing to see the huge boulders around Roaring Brook. This arrangement was made with 3M Company some time ago.
My source for this is Sgt. Phil Richards of the Somerset County Park Rangers. I call Phil from the trail all the time about downed trees, whatever.
This park is close to home for me, so I hike it frequently. I highly recommend hiking the big trail, the Ridge Trail, with the square blazes, backwards, clockwise, 13 to 1. That way, the long walk in from 13-9 is a good warm up. If you hike 1-13, from 9-13 is just a long, often wet, slog out.
With the boulders, boulder field at the brook. and incredibly thick foliage, Sourland comes close to rivaling some Highlands area hikes. Don't miss it.