Wild Ephemeral - Viewing & Foraging

​🌿 Spring Ephemerals: Viewing & Foraging

​A carpool hike from NYC to NJ and back.

​Saturday, May 3 · Meet 10am · Musconetcong Gorge Preserve, Bloomsbury NJ

​Every spring, for just a few weeks, the forest floor puts on its best show before the tree canopy closes in. We're heading out to catch the tail end of it.

​We'll hike through Musconetcong Gorge, a 500 acre preserve in the NJ Highlands, looking for whatever's blooming. By early May the first ephemerals are winding down, but the mid-spring wildflowers are hitting their stride: wild geranium, bellwort, Solomon's seal, mayapple, Jack in the pulpit, and wild columbine on the rocky outcrops. Along the way we'll talk about what we're seeing, learn to identify a few edible plants (garlic mustard pesto, anyone?), and generally just enjoy being outside together.

​📍 WHERE

​Musconetcong Gorge Preserve

​182 Dennis Rd, Bloomsbury, NJ 08804

​We're carpooling from NYC. Coordinate rides in the group chat after you RSVP. Aim to arrive at the trailhead by 10 am.

​🥾 THE HIKE

​~2.8 miles · moderate (short hike, but, there are a few steep rocky areas) · about 2 hours on trail

​A mix of ridge trail, gorge, stream crossings, and a flat river path back. There are some steeper sections with rock scrambles, so hiking boots are strongly recommended. Trekking poles are a great idea if you have them. I'll (Cara) will be using a stick, if I find one.

​🌿 WHAT WE'LL DO

​I'll lead a slow, observational walk pointing out wildflowers and edible plants as we go. Bring your curiosity and the iNaturalist app if you want to ID things along the way.

​🚽 BATHROOMS

​There are no bathrooms at the trailhead or on the trail. Please use the restroom before you arrive. Drivers - we could stop at Frenchtown Cafe on the way in (great coffee, open from 7am) and that's your last real bathroom before the hike. Plan accordingly! I always bring TP with my on these types of hikes, just in case.

​🍳 AFTER

​Post hike lunch/coffee?

​💛 SUGGESTED DONATION

​This event is pay what you can. A suggested donation of $5 to $10 helps cover coordination costs (hello gas prices! ) No one will be turned away, just come.

​✅ WHAT TO BRING

​— Hiking boots (the trail has rocky and steep sections)

​— Trekking Poles (optional)

​— Water (no water source on trail)

​— Tick spray, this is a high tick area in spring

​— A snack

​— Layers, mornings in the gorge are cool

​— Download the AllTrails map for Musconetcong Gorge offline before you lose cell service

​🚗 CARPOOLING

​Ri (Greenpoint, BK) and Cara (LIC, Queens) have cars, so we can drive you up. If you have a car and can take passengers, please let us know :)

​Questions? Shoot us a message.

​See you out there 🌱