Wescott WMA 1 Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A nice 1 mile hike with an 88ft elevation change to see the Northern portion of the Wescott Wildlife Management Area (WMA) of the Hunterdon County Parks System. Please note that there can be some wet and/or muddy terrain during the hike. ALSO NOTE THAT HUNTING IS PERMITTED.
The Wescott WMA offers a unique diversity in habitat and a wonderful opportunity to view wildlife. It is one of the few places in the county that exhibits a stately stand of Hemlock Trees. Hemlocks Trees have been hurt by the Woolly Adelgid , a small insect introduced from Asia. Studies have been done on the Hemlocks at Wescott Preserve to help discover solutions to this invasive pest.
The meadows provide shelter and food for grassland species. Eastern Bluebirds and American Kestrels take advantage of the nesting boxes placed in the park because of the excellent habitat. Grasshoppers, Katydids and other insect can be heard calling from the meadow during the summer months.
The Lockatong Creek, a native trout stream, provides an excellent draw for wildlife. Crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates can be found in the stream. Tracks from deer, raccoons, and other wildlife can be found along the banks of the stream and the edge of the trail. Within the wooded areas, other signs of wildlife can be observed such as Woodpecker holes in trees along the trail.
In order to control the population of deer on the park property, hunting is permitted (generally September through February, check web site below for exact details). 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.
(visit link)
Directions from Flemington to the Strimple Mills Road Parking Lot:
Travel west on Route 12 to the circle and take Route 523 south. At the junction with Route 604 in the center of Sergentsville, turn right onto Route 604 and proceed to Rosemont. At Rosemont turn right onto Route 519 and proceed north. Strimple Mills Road will be a left turn in about a mile. Proceed on Strimples Mill Road for about 1.5 miles. After a hard left bend, the parking area will be on the left.
While there are trail markings, feel free to use the waypoints below below to stay on the trail.
The cache is in a rubber maid container with a red lid. The cache contains a notepad with with a pen and pencil. The initial goody place in the cache is a small wooden carving of a duck obtained from Ducks Unlimited.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)