Hitting the High Point in New Jersey

It's not exactly the Alps or Rockies, but in these times of pandemic worries an excursion to New Jersey's High Point State Park, dedicated in 1923, is a pleasant day's outing. While technically the "high point" of the state (at 1803 feet), the 15,000 acre park's capstone is the crowning 220-foot obelisk monument, built between 1928 and 1930, that looks out over three states (New York's Catskill Mountains are to the north and Pennsylvania's Poconos to the west). In addition to the wonderful views, the park is crisscrossed by a network of cross-county ski trails and has an attractive ski lodge, which hopefully may be open this winter. In normal times, there is camping and a lake for swimming and fishing.

The park was deserted when we went, so it was a perfect pandemic visit.

The view from the highest point of New Jersey looks over New York and Pennsylvania.

The obelisk at the top of High Point is a memorial to war veterans.

The lake is used for swimming and boating in the summer.

With any luck the cross country ski lodge will be welcoming visitors this winter to its cozy fireplace.

The cross country trails wander through miles of deep woods.