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Hiking Up Mt. Tammany

Mt. Tammany hiking
The view from Mt. Tammany.

This past weekend my husband and I decided to be a little more adventurous in our weekend activities and try out mountain hiking! With this fall being so mild and warm, we figured we should get out and enjoy it, instead of running into the city for the weekend. After talking to some local friends and reading a few hiking blogs, we decided on Mt. Tammany in the Poconos Mountains for our first ever mountain hike. (I just realized after I reread this paragraph, that this was not our first time hiking up a mountain. But we thought it was the whole time, haha. We had actually hiked up Mt. Vesuvius, too. But that was a gravel trail and not at all rocky!)

Being from Wisconsin, a very flat land, there aren’t many opportunities for hiking up any steep inclines, haha. But I am happy to report, that while Mt. Tammany was indeed a good workout, we survived our climb to the top.

Mount Tammany

Mount Tammany

Unfortunately, though, it looks like we arrived about a week or two too late for the fall colors. The majority of the leaves in the area were gone already.

But the views were still incredible! And I particularly enjoyed the waterfall at the end of the hike. I had honestly never seen a natural waterfall in person until I saw this one.

Mt. Tammany waterfall

Mt Tammany waterfall

I had taken the NJ Hiking blog’s advice for how to navigate this trail. We took the red trail up the mountain and the blue trail down. The red trail was quite steep and rocky, but it was exactly what we were looking for in a mountain hike.

Mt Tammany
Hiking up the Red Trail.

You don’t have to take this way up Mt. Tammany, you can hike up the blue trail and go back down the blue trail for a less strenuous hike. You’ll just miss the view pictured below, but will still end up at the same view of the top of the mountain.

Mt Tammany
One of the first views from the Red Trail.

Mt Tammany

We had both been a bit worried we were going to get lost while hiking, but we had absolutely nothing to be worried about. The trails are very clearly marked with red and blue dots to point you in the safest to direction.

A red dot a long the trail, these were just about everywhere you looked.
A red dot along the trail, these were just about everywhere you looked.

mt tammany

And when you think of hiking in the wilderness, you think of being all by your lonesome with nothing around but trees and wildlife. However, this is one of the most popular hiking destinations in New Jersey. Chances are you are not going to be alone. We went on a very gloomy and slightly rainy afternoon, and there were still a ton of people on the trail. We were very rarely by ourselves. And at the top of the mountain was quite the crowd.

You can bring your dogs, as long as they are leashed. This guy had gotten loose! :)
You can bring your dogs, as long as they are leashed. This guy had gotten loose!
Mt tammay
Quite a few people at the top, for such a gloomy day!

It took my husband and I a little over 3 hours to complete the hike. We were moving at a pretty quick pace (at least it felt quick to me) and we stopped for a snack to watch the dogs play in the stream pictured above, and also stopped for lunch at a summit just before the top of the mountain (I had packed some sandwiches and fruit for a little picnic).

mt tammany

As far as what to wear for this adventure, I would just say to wear whatever you are most comfortable to get a little sweaty in. (I just wore my running clothes.) And dress in layers, because it gets a bit chilly once your toward the top. I had wished I had more than just my old sweatshirt at that point!

mt tammany

If you ever find yourself deciding to hike Mt. Tammany the most important thing to remember is to pee before you get to the parking lot! The parking lot off Highway 80 (at the bottom of Mt. Tammany) does not have any bathrooms. And I am not above peeing in the woods, but there are quite a few people on these trails. I wouldn’t risk ending up on YouTube the next day, haha.

mt tammany
I just thought these mushrooms were pretty. 🙂

I will end this post with a few more pretty pictures from our hiking adventure. And if you would like even more information on hiking Mt. Tammany, check out the NJ Hiking blog. They have a ton of great information.

Is anyone else out there a fan of hiking? Let me know in the comments!

mt tammany

mt tammany
There was a bench overlooking the waterfalls, which was really nice!

mt tammany

mt tammany

mt tammany

mt tammany
Mt. Tammany in all its glory!
Hiking Up Mt. Tammany
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14 Comments

  1. This looks like a beautiful place to hike!! I’m actually a huge hiker – hoping to hike the appalachian trail at some point! I’ve also never even thought to read hiking blogs. What a great idea!

    Lee – leethrifts.blogspot.com

    1. I forgot to mention it, but this hike was actually part of the Appalachian trail! But hiking the entire trail would be incredible! We have family friends who make a vacation every year to hike one part of the trail, until they have hiked every part of it. And yes! The hiking blogs were actually a far better resource than any of the state/park websites!

  2. Your hiking photos from the weekend are so pretty. It’s so relaxing to spend the day in nature and it’s nice to be in the fall leaves. I’ve never heard of pre-marked dots for hiking, that’s a neat idea.

    astylishlovestory.blogspot.com

    1. Thank you so much, Joanna! And I completely agree, there is nothing more relaxing. 🙂 Having marked trails is a big help for sure!

  3. Those are some really gorgeous views! That must have been so incredible to see in person, especially the waterfall. Just wow! I’ve never gone mountain hiking before (Midwestern girl, too), but I’ve always wanted to and this post definitely increased my drive to do it.

    1. Thank you so much, Devinne! It was so awesome to see in person. 🙂 You will definitely have to give mountain hiking a try one day!

  4. Beautiful photos!! And my word…you would LOVE Colorado if you like hiking up mountains 😉 XOXO
    Lauren-Blair
    www.prefertobedemure.com

  5. This is such a fun and productive way to spend your weekend. I’ve been hiking before in Wales (a region in the UK) and I enjoyed it so much. There’s something so calming about being surrounded by nature and picturesque views as you’ve captured in your photos. Lovely post 🙂 Xx

    www.thefashion-junkie.blogspot.co.uk

    1. Thank you so much! It really is a productive way to spend the weekend, and so relaxing. 🙂 And I bet hiking in Wales is gorgeous!

  6. This brings back memories for me. I used to go hiking with my dad or Justin all the time. It really is great fun! Its too bad most of the leaves had fallen, but it looks like you got to see some of them that were still hanging around. Definitely a great day!

    amandabrezovsky.com

    1. That’s awesome, Amanda! I bet you have some great trails in PA! Not seeing the leaves was a bummer, but it was still quite pretty – and definitely a fantastic day. 🙂

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