ABOUT

LOCATION

BALD EAGLE INFORMATION

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

HUNTING

WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

TRAIL AND GUIDE INFORMATION

SUMMARY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

PRINTABLE BROCHURE

ABOUT THE CUSHETUNK MOUNTAIN PRESERVE

Cushetunk is part of a ring of mountains in Clinton Township that were formed by volcanic activity during the Triassic Period over 160 million years ago. The Lenni Lenape Indians referred to this area as "Cushetunk" meaning "place of hogs," due to the wild hogs that roamed the mountains. Early settlers simply called the area "Hog Mountain."

Diabase rock made the area unsuitable for farming, so timber was the dominant early use. The natural bowl formation of the valley led to the selection of this site for the creation of the Round Valley Reservoir. Several farms in the valley were purchased by the state and the area was flooded in the 1960s. At a depth of approximately 180 feet, the reservoir is the deepest body of water in New Jersey.

Location:

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 106 OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD, LEBANON, NJ 08833

Cushetunk Preserve spans across the border of Clinton and Readington Townships. This park is open from sunrise to sunset. Please not that there are no restroom facilities at this park.

Directions from the Whitehouse area: Travel west on Route 22 and exit to the right for Lebanon/Cokesbury. Use the jug handle and cross over Route 22. At the "T" intersection with Main Street, turn left and then make the right hand turn onto Cherry Street. Go 0.4 miles and after passing under the railroad bridge turn left onto Old Mountain Road. Make the right and travel 1.5 miles. Just before the railroad tracks on a left-handed curve is a gravel parking lot for the park.

Directions from the Clinton Area: Take Interstate 78 east to Route 22 east. On Route 22, travel until the junction with Route 629. The junction is at a traffic light and marked by a sign for Round Valley. Proceed on Route 629 for 1.4 miles until a left hand turn for the "Boat Launching Ramp". Turn left and follow the road for another 1.4 miles to Old Mountain Road. Make the right and travel on a left-handed curve is a gravel parking lot for the park.

Additional Information

The Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources, providing safe parks and facilities, and offering educational and recreational opportunities, all contributing to an enhanced quality of life for present and future generations.

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BALD EAGLE INFORMATION

The Cushetunk Mountain range has been home to a nesting pair of Bald Eagles for over 10 years. Bald Eagles, our national symbol, are the county's largest raptor, with a wingspan of seven to eight feet. The white head and tail of the eagle does not develop until its fifth year. Fish are the staple of the eagles' diet, but eagles are known to steal food from other raptors and scavenge off of carcasses.

Bald Eagle populations have grown since the banning of DDT and other pesticides. DDT once poisoned fish and accumulated in the eagles' body, causing their eggs to become thin and often crushed by the weight of the parents. In June of 2007, Bald Eagles had recovered enough to be removed from the federal endangered & threatened species list, although they are still considered threatened in New Jersey.

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RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Cushetunk offers many forms of recreational activity, including hiking and mountain biking. Due to the steep inclines, the trails leading to and including the Ridge Trail are considered difficult. A moderate hike can be had by walking from the parking lot to the interior trail and then down to the meadow to get back to the parking lot. Horse-back riding is prohibited in this park.

NOTE: From January 1st to August 1st each year, certain areas of Cushetunk and Round Valley Recreation Area are closed to the public for the protection of the Bald Eagles' nest and habitat. Please help protect the Bald Eagles and obey these
closures.

Access to the Round Valley Recreation Area is prohibited from the Cushetunk Mountain Nature Preserve. For information about Round Valley, contact their office at (908) 236-6355.

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TRAIL AND GUIDE INFORMATION
NOTES: Trail Guides are set up as foldable brochures. Please print and fold in half vertically to view in proper order. Additionally, you may have to rearrange pages. Maps should be printed on Legal Size Paper.

Recreational Trails: Cushetunk offers many forms of recreational activities. Visitors can hike and mountain bike on the trails. Due to the steep incline as you approach the ridge, these trails are considered difficult. Horse-back riding is prohibited in this park.

• Trail Map
• Park Brochure

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HUNTING

In order to control the population of deer on park property, hunting is permitted. Hunters must obtain a special permit issued by the Parks Department to be able to hunt on the preserve. Visitors during hunting season are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or confine visits to Sundays. See additional information on the Hunterdon County Park System Controlled Hunting Program.

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WILDLIFE AND HABITAT

The preserve resides on the northern side of the Cushetunk Mountain. Since it is out of direct sunlight, the habitat is wetter then the southern side. Trees in in the park include chestnut oaks, tulip trees, beeches, and hickories. A variety of woodland birds can be seen or heard throughout the park, including warblers, thrushes, and Ovenbirds in spring. Evidence of woodpeckers can be found on the dead and dying trees. Rocky outcroppings provide excellent habitat for reptiles and the moist seeps provide shelter for amphibians.

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