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Trail Guides
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Sourland Mountain Nature Preserve
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6
 
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County Road 607 Rileyville Road, East Amwell Township, NJ
Phone: (908) 782-1158
www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/ParkAreas/Sourlands/info.htm
Hunterdon County
Turn Right out of parking area onto Clover Hill Road and after 0.2 miles turn Left onto Old York Road/CR 613. After 1.7 miles take a sharp Left at CR 514 and proceed 0.1 miles taking first Right at the stop sign onto CR 609/Manners Road. After 2.3 miles turn Right at stop sign onto CR 602/Wertsville Road and continue 0.4 miles taking the first Left onto CR 607/Rileyville Road. Go about 1.8 miles to the park entrance on the Left which is marked by County Park and Green Acres signs on the Right. The entrance is shared by two private driveways; take the center driveway to the parking area and do not block the gated access road. Map
Open daily from dawn to dusk. Parking is limited. Deer hunting is allowed by special permit September thru February. Contact the county parks department or visit www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/hunting/instruct.htm for hunting seasons and regulations. Also make sure to wear the appropriate clothing; blaze or hunter orange is recommended. No hunting is allowed on Sunday.
The beauty and uniqueness of the site is enhanced by its history. In the past this area was a quarry field for stone cutting; much of the stone was transported to Trenton to build the city. Near the gate there is a boulder that has metal pins in it, while other boulders nearby show cuts that were made. Two large boulder areas and several large boulders exist within the park; please observe only, no bouldering (i.e. climbing) is permitted.
During spring and summer, pay close attention to vernal pools and creeks for amphibian activity. Check wet areas for spotted salamander and look under moist debris for red-backed salamander. Unlike most amphibians, red-backed salamander does not require an aquatic environment for breeding; this species has neither lungs nor gills, and breathes through its skin. There is no tadpole stage for salamanders; eggs develop directly into salamanders and are guarded by the female.
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| Bobcat | Kevin Karlson |
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The Sourland Mountain Nature Preserve sits on the southernmost major ridge in New Jersey, and as a result provides the first major resting stop through the Ridge and Valley Region of the state during spring bird migration. The preserve’s name reflects the extremely poor soil and drainage, due to its rocky diabase foundation. These geologic conditions have helped create a marshy habitat and several vernal pools that provide shelter to several amphibian species, including wood frog and spotted salamander.
This ridge is home to several elusive mammals, including bobcat. After a snowfall, take time to look for tracks. When the first thaw and rain occurs in early March, it prompts hibernating amphibians to migrate to vernal pools for mating. This instinct is so strong that wood frogs have actually been seen performing their mating calls on frozen ponds. Once pools thaw, look carefully into the water for frog egg masses.
Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Hooded, Kentucky and Cerulean Warblers are all possible in the Sourlands. Many songbirds migrate at night when atmospheric conditions are more conducive and predators are few. When these birds descend in the morning it is essential that that they find ample food and safe places to rest.
Although the number of birds abates as spring migration comes to an end, the Sourlands is home to several breeding woodland species from Tufted Titmouse and Black-capped Chickadee to Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo and Ovenbird. The area is at the extreme northern limit for Carolina Chickadee, so listen carefully for their more rapid and higher pitched ‘chickadee-dee-dee’ call. Woodpeckers abound; Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers are active residents. Wood chips scattered around the bottom of a tree are a sign the Pileated Woodpecker is excavating a nest hole.
Turn eyes skyward once the foliage begins to drop; hawk migration occurs on a broad front, but ridges create thermals that make flight easier. Look for evidence of Wild Turkey foraging for acorns and other nuts; these large birds can be seen sometimes sitting in small copses of trees. As fall turns to winter scour the shrub habitat to find Tree and White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Junco.
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