Turtle Back Zoo

S Mtn Reservation/El Centro Salvatorean Restaurant/Turtle Back Zoo Sun Mar 07 9:00AM 2010 RSVP on Meetup. We will meet at the Locust Grove Parking Lot and Picnic area, Glen Avenue and Lackawana Place, West Orange, NJ 07052, www./njnbofc/southmtn.l and www./hike/south-mountain-reservation at 9:00 am (I am sorry about the early start time, but the zoo closes at 4:00, so we have to get an early start).

From there, we will take the Yellow Lenape Trail and the White Rahway River Trail. The moderate hike is about 5 miles and should take about 4 hours with a break. There are mild ascensions and descensions. We will see the NYC skyline, the Maple Falls Cascade, Beech Brook Cascades, Hemlock Falls, Campbell's Pond and Diamond Mill Pond. We will also see the unique geology to this area, the basalt lava. The Turtle Back Zoo got its name from the basalt lava, which formed into traprock and fractured into hexagonal blocks, similar to the patterns found on the backs of turtle's shells.
At 2:00, we will go to the Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052, 973-731-5800, www.turtlebackzoo.com. to see the light show and walk around the zoo. The zoo closes at 4:00. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children.
At 4:00, we will have an early dinner at El Centro Salvadorean Restaurant, 292 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052, 973-324-0656.
This is a kid friendly event, although the hike may be too strenuous for younger children. It will be cold. Wear multiple layers, a scarf, gloves, hat, long underwear, knee high socks, etc. Wear hiking boots and microspikes in case there is ice. Bring a lunch, snacks and water. Come for as much of the day as you want. If you are coming for only part of the day, please let me know when I can expect you.
The Millburn train station is across the street from the Locust Grove Parking and Picnic Area. Take the Morristown or Gladstone Lines from NY Penn Station for an easy 45 minute commute. There will be a $5 nonpaid member fee.Sorry, this event has to be postponed again, due to the snow/icy conditions of the trail.