Baldpate Mountain is located in Hopewell NJ.
There are 10 miles of hiking trails on Baldpate and while I have walked many of the trails, I have never completed the entire Blue Trail. Usually, when we bring the kids, we choose the Red Loop Trail. If I am out with my friends, we will hike the Ridge Trail.
My Littlest just turned 3 years old this week and his desire to show off his speed, climbing, and balance is in over-drive. We decided to hike a trail with a lot of rocks to hop and climb on so that he could burn off some of his Wild Boy energy.
My oldest was confused asked me, “Why are we parking at this parking lot?” He had been all over Baldpate Mountain with me in the baby carrier as an infant, later as a toddler and now as a “really old” 5-year old. He was quite distressed and insisted that we were “NOT at Baldpate Mountain”. He loves the vista from the meadow near Strawberry Mansion, which is also one of my favorite places in the Sourlands. After I explained that we would still see the view but we had to climb big rocks to get there, both Wild Boys were ready to go!
Even at my age, I love stepping stones as much as my kids.
I appreciate the whole body effort of my Littlest. He will hop across all those stones just like his big brother.
Horizontal logs are an absolute must when perfecting those balancing skills.
Littlest and I had hiked part of the Blue Trail when he was a few months old and we had stopped at this very same log to look at all of the nutshells. I love how you will see some of the same familiar sights even if you haven’t been on that trail for 1.5 years.
We all get in on the rock hopping fun!
Peak-a-boo!
A Sourland boulder must always be appreciated and climbed.
Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata, is a popular roosting place for many bat species in the Eastern United States. The Indiana Bat, Myotis sodalis, in particular, likes to hide within the loose bark of this tree.
One of the reasons I love winter hikes is that you can discover the hidden views. During the summer when all of the leaves are out, this view will be completely different.
I believe that this is some sort of non-native Buttercup, possibly Winter Aconite, Eranthis hyemalis.
Common Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, making an appearance.
I love all of the big trees on this side of the mountain.
Taking a little break.
Multiflora Rose, Rosa Multiflora, is already sending out new leaves – in February! It has been alarming how mild this winter has been and I am so afraid of how this affects our ecosystem as a whole. There is such a thin balance between bloom times, insect emergence, migrations, and breeding season that when one thing starts too early, the whole balance is thrown off.
A hardscrabble up these rocks!
Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, leafing out early. Unfortunately, this invasive is almost always one of the first plants I see to leaf out in the spring. But let’s be honest, it is still winter! Garlic Mustard is edible and can be substituted for garlic in pesto. Yum!
Running to the world’s edge – also known as the “septic mound”… We usually travel to the higher meadow but when the Wild Boys saw this wide-open view, they took off.
Rolling down the mountain.
Snacks after a hike well done!
SourlandNiche 
