Monday, April 23, 2018

High Tech Hiking Club Takes First Trek of the Year to Pyramid Mountain

(Montville, NJ—April 21, 2018) On a picture-perfect Saturday, students and staff from the High Tech Hiking Club embarked on their first trek of the year at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Morris County, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Ronald Kliesh, High Tech social studies teacher and Hiking Club moderator, along with Shelly Witham and David Polito, veteran science teacher and social studies instructor, respectively, chaperoned the students, who enjoyed breathtaking glacial erratics, rock outcrops, wetlands, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks that include the Manhattan skyline.

“We’re all looking forward to more hikes and welcome any member of the High Tech High School staff to join us,” says Mr. Kliesh.

Tripod Rock, a 160-ton boulder resting on a trio of smaller boulders, and Bear Rock, one of the largest rocks in the Garden State, proved to be highlights of a hiking trip that encompassed Pyramid and Turkey Mountains in Kinnelon, Boonton, and Montville. 

Nearly 30 miles of marked trails provide opportunities for hikers to experience expansive views from flat-topped ridges.  The Visitors Center serves as a starting point for loop hikes, with more than a dozen trails in Pyramid Mountain and Turkey Mountain, ranging from 0.7 to 7.3 miles.  Several new trails include a 1.2-mile white-blazed trail, plus a black-dot trail and yellow-blazed trail, with a combined length of 2.8 miles.  The longer of these two runs from Powerville Road in Boonton Township to Bear Rock.

To watch video of the experience, go to the following:

https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://drive.google.com/a/hcstonline.org/file/d/1MZ8OppvZeDkq5aIf2hK28yKeRiKRmZrw/view?usp%3Ddrivesdk&source=gmail&ust=1524569545940000&usg=AFQjCNHCJJF52IYyZ-TAq9B78wOYNwbufw