Prallsville Mill - Wickecheoke Creek Preserve

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Skylands :: Hunterdon County IV ::

Delaware River Trail

Prallsville Mill - Wickecheoke Creek Preserve

Route 29, Delaware Township, NJ
Phone: (609) 773-0333
www.dandrcanal.com
www.njconservation.org/html/preserves/wickecheoke.htm
www.drms-stockton.org

OWNER: NJ Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey Conservation Foundation

DIRECTIONS: From the D&R Canal parking lot, return to Route 29 by turning Left on S. Union and then Right on Bridge Street, then Left onto Route 29 traveling north. Proceed 4.1 miles as Route 29 winds along the Delaware River, passing through Stockton. Turn Left into the large parking area at the Prallsville Mill. From there, the Stockton Visitors Center/Delaware River Mill Society is a short walk back south on Route 29. The Prall House, owned by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF), serves as the trailhead for the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve and Greenway. Map

ACCESS AND PARKING: The parking area at the mill site is open dawn to dusk daily. The historic mill and John Prall House are leased and operated by the Delaware River Mill Society (DRMS). They are open by appointment or for scheduled events; check the DRMS website listed above for a calendar of events and to learn about the society’s preservation efforts for the mill complex. This parking area will also give access to the D&R Canal multi-use trail. The Wickecheoke Creek Preserve hiking trail system occasionally intersects with local roads; watch for traffic. The trails also cross the creek on occasion; do not attempt to cross during times of high water. Most of the trails are level, but some portions are steep. Download trail maps from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation website above or pick them up at the office at the Prall House; but call ahead first as the office has limited hours.

A CLOSER LOOK: A multitude of sizes and shapes of rock can be found along the creekbed. On warm days, look for painted turtles sunning themselves on the flat rocks. A closer look at the little ponds in the creek might yield salamanders, water striders or other aquatic insects.


Cedar Waxwing	Mike Lyncheski

SITE DESCRIPTION: Enjoy trails along the Delaware River and explore the mill, then cross over Route 29 to visit the John Prall House and the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve. New Jersey Conservation Foundation has preserved more than 2400 acres in the Wickecheoke Greenway. This amalgamation of properties is joined together by numerous trails and quiet country roads. The creek cascades through southwestern Hunterdon County and into the Delaware River. Tranquil meadows, dense hemlock forest and picturesque waterfalls spilling over shale cliffs are scenic opportunities to be relished along the trails.

DON'T MISS: a step back in time at Green Sergeant’s Covered Bridge. This is the only remaining 19th century covered bridge in New Jersey. Deemed unsafe in 1959 and slated for demolition, the bridge ultimately collapsed. The public rallied,and the bridge was rebuilt in 1961 from the original materials. Trail Loop 2 from the Prall House reaches the covered bridge, or it can be visited on the way to the next stop on this trail.

THROUGH THE SEASONS:
Winter: Waterfalls take center stage during this season. These trails provide landscape photographers with unending photo possibilities. Keep eyes and ears trained for winter visitors; woodpeckers, nuthatches, kinglets and Hermit Thrush are all possibilities.
Spring: Habitats associated with riparian corridors attract all manner of birds, especially migrants. The Delaware River provides a visual “highway” for birds as they migrate north or south. A large variety of passerines can be found including Scarlet Tanager, orioles, Great-crested Flycatcher, Gray Catbird and numerous warblers. Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron and various ducks can be seen along the creek. An exceptional diversity of salamander species reside in the greenway, and pockets of color produced by spring ephemerals like trout lily, wood anemone, and spring beauty enhance the new spring growth.
Summer: Lush deciduous trees keep the stream corridor cool and comfortable during summer heat. Rock hopping at creek crossings during low water adds to summer fun on the trail. Although not usually visible, beaver and otter are inhabitants of the stream and evidence of their presence is easily found; look for streamside tracks, scat or beaver chewings.
Fall: Autumnal golds and oranges interspersed with the deep green of hemlocks make this a particularly delightful place to hike in fall. The variety and richness of habitats provide sanctuary for many migratory species. Look for herons and egrets along river edges, and for raptors overhead. Forest-interior songbirds such as Wood Thrush, various warblers and vireos are all possible at this site.

SPECIAL FEATURES: A short trail behind the Prall House accesses an 18th century graveyard. Longer trails are reached from trailheads along Lower Creek, Upper Creek and Pinehill Roads. Lower Creek Road intersects with CR 519, which joins Route 29 just north of the mill. There is a kiosk approximately 1.0 mile north on Lower Creek Road by the Green Iron Bridge, where trail maps are available.