Nature Done Wright

Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs

September 19, 2016

Reserve a Spot Now: Franklin Clove Walk

I am leading a free guided walk to historic Franklin Clove on Saturday, Oct. 29 for the Fyke Nature Association. (I am also doing a free talk about the clove and summit of High Mountain at the Fyke meeting on Friday night, Oct. 28.)

It's an amazing place, filled with great history and geology lessons. Prehistoric humans lived there in rock shelters thousands of years ago. The Lenape wintered here in the late 1600s.

And the clove itself is a narrow ravine made of basalt. We'll also visit a nearby waterfall.

Note: It is a short walk — well under two miles total — but you will have to climb over a fallen tree trunk or two (see photo at right) and deal with some very rocky trails. Folks with balance issues may find it challenging.

Due to the nature if the walk (narrow trails) and a lack of parking, the walk is limited to the first 16 folks who register, and there are very few spots remaining. We may be able to fit more folks if we car pool. You must rsvp.

Details on talk and walk follow.

Friday, Oct. 28: Secrets of High Mountain
Fyke's own Jim Wright will talk about the two coolest aspects of 1,260-acre High Mountain in nearby Wayne — the summit and the Franklin Clove. As a bonus, he will also give a reading his new ground-breaking tale about an amazing seldom-seen bird that lives on the summit (the reading will feature illustrations by artist Miwa Ishikawa). Not to be missed! The rest of the entertaining talk and slide show will feature nature photography, aerial photos and archival images. Co-sponsored by Allendale's Lee Memorial Library. The free talk is at the Fyke meeting at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28 at the Allendale Municipal Building, 500 W. Crescent Ave., Allendale.

Saturday, Oct, 29, 10 a.m. Franklin Clove Walk, Wayne/Franklin Lakes — In memory of wonderful local historian Jim Longo, Fyke's Jim Wright is leading a free walk to High Mountain's historic Franklin Clove, a ravine where Lenape Native Americans wintered more than 300 years ago. Jim W. will talk a little about the history and geology of this amazing spot — including nearby ancient rock shelters and Buttermilk Falls. (You need to have excellent balance and sturdy hiking shoes to participate; the trail is rocky and footing can be difficult. Because of parking limitations, the walk is limited to 15 people, and RSVPs are required. Carpooling will be a must. E-mail Jim W, at celeryfarm@gmail.com for more details and parking location. Raindate is Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m.