Charlie’s Photo of the Week depicts the beauty and serenity of dawn.

Dawn is mostly a calm and peaceful time, when Allamuchy Pond’s water is like a giant mirror, grabbing onto and holding images of the colorful sky and the dimly lit ridges surrounding it.  All this changes fairly quickly once the sun begins peeking over the distant ridge, and then the light gently cascades downward from the highest objects to the pond’s shoreline and crosses the pond’s waters from west to east.  Once completed, the light of day is in control all day until the approach of sunset.  The best area for sunrise photos at Allamuchy Pond is along the west shore down by the break in the guard rail off CR517.

Allamuchy Pond is a beautiful site and sight!  There are many view sheds alongside that show off its diverse surroundings. 

The SOUTH SHORE’S tall golden reeds of Autumn, Winter, and early Spring will turn light green in late Spring and Summer.  This is a wetlands area that extends back into and through the tree line for about a quarter mile.  A wonderful place to observe wildlife.  The resident swans have their nest amid the edge of the reeds.  Just out from the edge of the reeds is a shallow area, where all the water birds can be seen eating by simply ducking their heads into the shallows and stirring up whatever morsels are available. Canada Geese, Mallard and Wood Duck families can be seen swimming along the south shoreline.  Great Blue Heron, often ankle deep, will patiently be on the lookout for whatever catches their eye.

The WEST SHORE is a narrow stretch, nestled between the pond and CR517.  The trail there was actually the original roadway for CR517 before it was realigned. You can still see segments of asphalt and remnants of the old wire guard rail.  Heading northward, the visitor passes by Indian Rock, with its image of an Indian Chief.  The west shore has several places where fishermen may try their luck.  All along your journey you are treated to a beautiful view of the pond and the Allamuchy Ridge.

The NORTH SHORE begins at the parking area on the northwest corner of the pond.  There is a bench and kiosk and parking for about 10 cars.  Allamuchy Pond Trail works its way across the north shore at the edge of the stand of old tall evergreen trees, with a couple of shoreline overlooks.  Midway across the north shore, you enter the vast backyard of Rutherfurd Hall and Mountain Villa School.  Look away from the pond at Historic Rutherfurd Hall or look at the pond for a beautiful pond vista, including wooded slopes on both sides and the wetlands at the south end of the pond.  As you are ready to leave the grass backyard of Rutherfurd Hall, you will notice a low stone wall area. This was the boat dock and swim area for the Rutherfurd Family.  There is also a bench at this site.  The trail continues through a wetlands field until you reach the dam access road and then the dam. 

Allamuchy Pond was always a natural pond, but, in 1903-1905 when Rutherfurd Hall was constructed, a dam was built to expand the pond and also allow for the building of a small hydro-electric generating and pumping station.  Rutherfurd Hall was one of the first private residences in the United States to have electric power and it had electric power long before the rest of the Warren County.  Rutherfurd Hall also pumped water into the house and then up a hill across the roadway, which developed water pressure, and so in 1905, at the turn of a handle, they had running water in the house!!  Everyone else in this area would grab a bucket and take a walk!!

The EAST SHORE needs some clearing work in the shoreline areas. Use caution when exploring. The shore is a wooded ridge of Allamuchy Mountain and begins shortly after you cross the dam.  There is a bench at the dam.  Allamuchy Pond Trail begins to head south along the ridge up from the shoreline of the pond.  There is a bridge which crosses a stream bed. Shortly after that, Allamuchy Pond Trail splits.  If you go straight, you will walk at the base of the wooded ridge to your left.  Continuing on, you will observe a wetlands area to your right and the mountain ridge to your left.  The wetlands area connects to the south end of the pond, which is out of sight.  Back at the bridge again, if you veer off to the right, the trail gently drops down to the shoreline of Allamuchy Pond.  The trail touches the shoreline three times, but otherwise you are walking through woods.  There are three benches at each shoreline site.  At the southern end of the pond, down by the reeds, this trail makes a left turn, and the trail there heads east along the wetlands until you merge back to the main leg of Allamuchy Pond Trail. 

NOTE:  Allamuchy Pond Trail continues farther south beyond Allamuchy Pond and at the southeast point of the trail you come to a “T”  go left and the trail leads to Deer Park Pond, go right and you arrive at Panther Valley Mall across from Seven Eleven & the gas station. 

Allamuchy Pond is a special place with many different view sheds and activities!!  Go to my Flickr site and the photos will showcase the rest!

Please visit my Flickr site for photos of Allamuchy Pond – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157649105909691

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President