Hiking Jacques Cartier State Park
#1000islands #ThousandIslands
We were surprised when we realized that the Jacques
Cartier State Park had a couple miles of hiking trails. We have driven by this
lovely park which is just a few miles west of Morristown on Route 12. We knew
it was a beautiful waterfront park with a gorgeous view of the river in
addition to its camp sites, picnic area, and beach. But we were truly shocked
when we hiked into the deep woods and experienced its amazing hiking
trails. If anything, we felt that even
the park itself has downplayed the beautify and uniqueness of their
trails.
They do have a trail map one can look at on their
website:
The two main trails
are the Freedom Trail and Krooked Kreek, and it is easy enough to combine them
into one longer hike. They are all well
maintained and marked. The Freedom
Trailhead can be accessed by a small parking area immediately after entering
the gate. It is a beautiful hike through
the woods on fairly level ground. It splits and can either end up back on the
road, or continue on, crossing a small creek and following other trails that
end up in the camping area.
Our favorite trail is the Krooked Kreek trail. While it
is not long, it winds through the woods, over a creek (by hopping stones), past
a small waterfall, back over the creek (this time, logs and stones), more
wandering through a beautiful forest, and then back out to the main road. Because of those interesting creek crossings,
we would say it is a little more advanced trail (though, we managed it several
times without ending up in the creek).
After the hike, one can go back down to the waterfront
and enjoy the meticulously maintained beach and picnic area, and
facilities. We loved the trails at
Jacques Cartier so you might just see us again there someday, crossing Krooked
Kreek!
We revisited Jacques Cartier State Park today and hiked all of our favorite trails. We are pleased to report that new bridges have been added to cross all of the spots we previously had to get to using stepping stones and fallen trees. The trails are in perfect condition and the scenery is as lovely as we imagined. But the trails are now much more usable for even the beginning hiker!
Be sure to see...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
