Hiking the highlights of Estell Manor Park – glassworks, ruins, and a long boardwalk through a cedar swamp.
It had been seven years since we visited Estell Manor Park. It’s a little far for us to drive for the length of hike, but when we got a loaner with The Hikemobile in the shop we’re like ooooooo let’s put some miles on this baby.
They gave us the 2019 version of our car, in the same color, so all it needed was one of our stickers slapped on the back… but I restrained myself.
For detailed hike directions visit our main “Estell Manor Park” page.
Somehow we missed the glassworks ruins last time – no idea how I managed that. This we time we headed over to check it out.
Glass was produced here in the 1800s, using all that south Jersey sand, several boards explain the process.
We headed around to Stephens Creek which was quite a bit lower than last time.
This time we explored the Veterans Cemetery a bit.
Behind Veterans Cemetery is a Steelman’s Creek Burial Ground, with graves dating to the late 1700s.
We made our way around to the Point Trail. On some maps there is a marker for a Native American village but there is only a wire frame there, so if anything was every displayed then it’s long gone.
At the end of the point is a marshy area but it’s hard to see anything now. There is a large fallen tree that I don’t think was here before. Hurricane Sandy damaged the park so it’s possibly from that.
Of course, Tom clambered right up this check out the view. (Disclaimer: We’re not suggesting you do too. Don’t run with scissors. And watch the tram car, please.)
Hiking in New Jersey never ceases to amuse:
Eventually we got around to the boardwalk trail and the neatest area of the park.
View of the South River.
Power Plant remains from when this area produced munitions during WWI.
Smith-Ireland cemetery.
North End trail is a straight shot back. This time we wandered down a side trail we’d missed that lead to remains of the Administration Building.
Not a lot to see at some of the sites, so we just continued on and didn’t do that whole side loop. In a bit, pass the remains of the reservoir:
Miles: 7.9 (Wandered around the cemeteries plus some extra here-n-there.)
Route: Pond Trail – Exercise Trail – Glassworks Trail – Center Trail – Exercise Trail – Point Trail – Cribbers Road – Swamp Trail – Smokeless Powder Trail – Duck Farm Trail – North End Trail
Post-Hike: Split the yummy yummy Bobo’s Apple Pie Bite from the latest Cairn Box with a venti iced vanilla latte… the first iced coffees of the season.