Camping to bring in the New Year! (Wharton St Forest, NJ)

[GOCAMPN]

? Edit: This will be Saturday, December 31st wheeling only. Camping is cancelled.

Let's go camping!
Camping at Goshen Pond : approximately at 39.745349, -74.759635

I want to put this feeler out there and see if there is any interest in some December 31st light wheeling/trail ride followed by camping at Goshen Pond Camping Area in Wharton State Forest, New Jersey. I just need to see how many people would like to join, there is the option we reserve a couple of the small spots right next to each other (because they are 2 vehicle max per site) or we reserve one of the bigger spots but it's further from the water. There is also a parking lot on site. Here are some of the details, I made a mock reservation so you can see the listed amenities (or lack of!)

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A little more information:
NJDEP | Wharton State Forest | New Jersey State Park Service

Who - Members, friends, and family of jeepgladiatorforum.com
What - Trail riding, camping, eating, and celebrating the New Year
When - 11am Saturday December 31st 2022 to 11am Sunday January 1st 2023
Where - Meetup at Exxon (closest gas station to campsite)
1231 US 206 Shamong, NJ

Pets require some type of permit, look into that if you plan to bring a pet. Expect it to be cold! Also, alcohol is not allowed I'll leave it at that. I will handle the reservations once I have some numbers to work with.

Rough schedule of events:

Meetup at Exxon sometime around 11am on Saturday, fill up, grab snacks, etc.
Make our way in and around the local area and Wharton State Forest to some historic sites, easy trails, and scenic views.
Fit lunch in somewhere early-afternoon.
Explore more.
Pop camp up before it gets too dark (Sunset will be at about 4:40pm that day)
Enjoy a potluck style dinner around the fire(we can volunteer dishes in the thread)
Sunday morning breakfast/coffee on your own
Tear down camp and pack up all vehicles
Last walkthrough and trash pickup
On our ways home by noon.

Interested? Post below and let's see the rig you will bring! Tentative deadline so I can pay for all the reservations: December 17th. Thank you!

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[GOCAMPN]

Confirmed:
- @GOCAMPN
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(This list will be used to ping everyone interested as we get closer, so I can have a final headcount)

 

[GOCAMPN]

So while you mull this over, a little about me. I've lived in NJ for about 9 years, I am a retired Army veteran and was once a Master Driving Instructor under the 82nd Airborne. I have been in Wharton a number of times from bright sunny days to snow covered nights. I don't totally know the area 100% but I will do my due diligence and research my route for the day well beforehand. I always overprepare and carry all of the expected gear including chainsaws, extra gas, snatch blocks and treesavers, etc. I have a winch and multiple recovery options for us if something happens. Although the trails are light, I will be carrying a Power Tank for anyone who wishes to air down.

I have led some jeepgladiatorforum.com groups before and do my best to cover all my bases when I'm leading. I have a mounted GMRS and will have 1 handheld to lend out. This will be a stock friendly trip and I encourage any newbies to sign up and come along. I'm happy to answer any questions and I hope this can be an awesome teaching opportunity for any first timers and a great experience overall.

 

[TheOpa]

Hey Ethan, this is a great idea but I could not do it New Years Eve.

 

[Duece McCracken]

I'm interested, but I don't think Central Control will allow it, lmao!

I'm going to see what she has in mind. Try to weasel my way out there. I can day trip it if worse comes to worst.

 

[NachoRuby]

Very tentatively interested. I have no idea what we're doing that weekend.

 

[81Mojave]

I’d be interested in wheeling, can’t camp that night tho unfortunately

 

[GOCAMPN]

I ran a decent route out there this morning, I have my fingers crossed that the weather is as perfect as it was today. There's certainly more I can fit into the afternoon on the 31st, but what I ran took a couple hours so that leaves room for stops, lunch, and any problems we run into with mechanical issues or poor trail conditions. If we breeze through it I have the next trail already plotted I just wasn't able to drive it before heading home for lunch.

With that said I'm glad I did decide to go because I found at least 2 impassable trails that I originally wanted to use, and ended up having to take about a half-mile of trail in reverse to get out. And speaking of possible trail conditions, one of the longest trails I did today and the one that probably had the best scenery, will be pretty gnarly if we get any rain leading up to the 31st. I made sure to cross every single mudhole and puddle along the trail and didn't use any go-rounds that way I can tell you with first hand experience that the trail is fine for a stock JT, but if it rains we will need to make a weather decision. I don't want anyone feeling uncomfortable with deep water. Same thing with 2 trails that have some pinstriping action, nothing was bad enough that I had to break out the landscaping tools but I can't say I made it through today scot-free.

 

[TheOpa]

You are right about the Pine Barrens. Not the most challenging wheeling unless you get into one of those deep mud holes, but the scenery is always beautiful. Canoed the Mullica River many times over by Batsto.

 

[NachoRuby]

I guess I'm out. We're traveling that weekend.

 

[Macbrun]

Last time I was there (last spring) me, the Mrs. and the doggos got infested with ticks. At least that shouldn’t be an issue for you this time if year. Looks like it’ll be a blast! Have fun!

 

[Rburns1776]

Looks awesome, would love to go but i'm tied up with in-laws, etc that weekend. Will keep eyes out for the next one

 

[GOCAMPN]

Interest update:

I forgot to ping everyone on the 17th. If anyone is definitely going to be coming please let me know within the next 24 hours. Let me know if that's just wheeling or camping too. Thanks.

@Duece McCracken
@81Mojave

 

[Duece McCracken]

Interest update:

I forgot to ping everyone on the 17th. If anyone is definitely going to be coming please let me know within the next 24 hours. Let me know if that's just wheeling or camping too. Thanks.

@Duece McCracken
@81Mojave

The wife claimed those days, so it's a no go for me.

 

[GOCAMPN]

Ok, camping isn't happening haha. I'd rather not be out there camping by myself. I will still be wheeling though, hopefully with some snow the way the weather is looking. Fingers crossed!?

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