So I figured regardless of which way a cacher might approach this one, whether it be from Pickell Park (my preferred approach), the parking area on Old Mountain Road (shorter and steeper) or from the Red Trail or camping area at Round Valley (about a 6 mile hike and an entrance fee in season) you need to slow it down and find an old school ammo can where you can sit and go through the goodies inside. There are a lot of nooks and crannies to check here. Maybe you'll find it right away, maybe you'll be here a while. I named this one Rabbit in tribute to a cache I archived earlier this season. Coming from Pickell Park, you'll be on the Blue trail then when you see the White trail, hang a right and continue on. Approaching from the Old Mountain Road parking area, the white trail will take you to the blue trail on your left. If you miss it and end up at the top where the big old tree is resting, you will see a trail going off along the ridge. "They" recently marked their territory up here so you'll see County Park signs on your left and State Park signs on your right. This trail, like Switzerland, is neutral territory. From Round Valley, you will see a marker near the last woods potty with an arrow for the Red Trail which will take you up to the intersection I just mentioned.
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.
Cushetunk Mountain Preserve spans across the border of Clinton and Readington Townships. The parking area provided is for Pickell Park which gives a longer hike but it is very enjoyable. The other parking area is located at 106 Old Mountain Road, Lebanon 08833.