Whispering Pines

You must be a paid member of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey to participate. Go to ocsj.org to join.
We will meander about 5.5 miles in Wharton State Forest at an easy to moderate pace. We will take our time, stopping whenever we see something interesting, or if we just feel like it. We will stop for about a half hour for lunch around noonish. Bring something to sit on to keep yourself dry. We will go around the trails clockwise, starting on the White Trail through a beautiful cedar swamp, then the Blue Trail, then the White again, and, finally, the sand road back to the parking lot. The trail has frequent deadfalls across it, and may have puddles to go around. (Not likely)
Parking is at the intersection of County Route 532 and Patty Bowker Rd.

We will start the hike at 10:30 sharp.

· Bring water, snacks, and/or lunch
· There are no restrooms or port-a-potties available. The woods is our outhouse. Bring toilet paper, if you need it. Tell the leader or the sweep if you need to stop.
· Please wear bright colored clothing – preferably blaze orange. There could be hunters around.
· Ending time is approximate, depending upon how often we stop. This is a relatively slow hike – a happy meander through the woods. Our pace varies between slow and moderate, depending on terrain and how we are feeling. But, if you want us to slow down, do not hesitate to ask. We’ll be happy to oblige. Please do not ask us to speed up.
· No pets allowed.
· Rain, snow, or high winds probably cancels. Check comments for weather cancellation before you leave home.

Leaders:
David Hecker 609-304-9627
Richard Whitehill 856-220-2678

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Hikes Through White Cedar
(To the tune of “Nights in White Satin,” by The Moody Blues)

Hikes through white cedar
And also through pine
We follow our leader
And have a great time

Beauty we don’t miss
We’ll stop and we’ll stay
Taking some pictures
As we go on our way

And we love it!
Yes, we love it!
Oh, how we love it!
Oh, oh. Oh, oh

Gazing at fauna
We see on the trails
Stop? Yes, we’re gonna
For turtles and snails

Some like to hike fast
Some prefer slow
I’ll slow down if I’m asked
Speed up? That’s a “No!”

And we love it!
Yes, we love it!
Oh, how we love it!
Oh, oh. Oh, oh

Hikes through white cedar
And also through pine
We follow our leader
And have a great time

Beauty’s around us
It is everywhere
Nature astounds us
We stop and we stare

And we love it!
Yes, we love it!
Oh, how we love it!
Oh, oh. Oh, oh

And we love it!
Yes, we love it!
Oh, how we love it!
Oh, oh. Oh, oh

***

Breathe deep the fresh woodsy air
Red, white and blue trails take us everywhere
Low and slow people meander on past
Long hikers – they go through the woods fast
Some chat with others – they like to talk
Some go on silently as they walk
New members learn what leaders fit them
Leaders have folks who sign up again

Cold-hearted waitlist on the app
That keeps the numbers at the cap
Sometimes we hike, and sometimes we nap
But we decide which is right, and which is not for us.