BATONA TRAIL HISTORY
   By Oreste Unti
   June 5, 1993 **

I'm here to tell you about the Batona Trail. BA-T0-NA or Back to Nature is first a 65 year old hiking club! Secondly, and most important of all, the Batona Hiking Club originated the trail now known as the Batona Trail and all along you thought this was an Indian trail. And all along you thought this was an Indian tribe from the Pine Barrens.

The idea of building a hiking trail though the Wharton and Lebanon State Forest was first suggested by Dale Knapschafer in 1960. By the time that January 1961 rolled around, Morris Bardock, the then president of Batona contacted Commissioner Salvatore Bontempo in the Department of Conservation and Economic Development for New Jersey requesting permission to undertake this task.

In February 1961, through the request of Mr. Bontempo an affirmative reply arrived from Mr. J.C. MacDonald who informed Morris Bardock that all systems were "go" and further that his office would be happy to cooperate with Batona in this endeavor. A meeting between Mr. Sid Walker, Walt Korszniack and Morris Bardock ensued and that really got things going; without a doubt most of the praise should go to Morris Bardock and the late Walter Korsniak, two of the world's greatest bush whackers. Through the winter and the early spring, Walt and Morris made about 12 exploratory trips to lay out the exact route of the trail. Later a few other Batona volunteers joined with these "Pioneers" to clear the trail and blaze the trees. We've found out that Morris picked out the pink color for the blazes. It took 18 trips through the summer of 1961 to complete the original 30 miles of the Batona Trail and on September 16, 1961 the final blaze was put on a tree in the form of a circle around the trunk one half mile south of Deep Hollow Pond.

During the construction of the trail, a most cordial relationship developed between the Batona Club and Mr. Walker, who by now had been promoted to Manager of the Wharton Forest. In recent years, the Batona Trail has been extended to a length of 50.2 miles or 80.8 kilometers. I'd like to give you a few more details about the Trail. The Batona Trail is probably the second trail diamond in New Jersey's Crown, after the better known Appalachian Trail, certainly in length and diversity of terrain available to a walker. This trail is one of the few trails built by a hiking club. A trail that bears the club's name and is maintained to this day by its members.

The southern end is Stagecoach Road (Lake Absegami). The Pink blazed trail goes northward through Wharton State Forest and Lebanon State Forest. Its northern terminus is a Ong's Hat which is 1.5 miles northwest of the junction of Routes 70 and 72. The trail traverses a diversity of terrain, varying land features and forest, many wildflowers and has abundant wildlife. Because it is cut by roads at many points, hikes of different lengths and routes are possible.

Camping must be done at designated campsites only with a valid permit in your possession. In Wharton State Forest campsites are provided at Lower Forge and Batona Camp- In Lebanon State Forest camping is permitted at the"300 Area" (Summer) and at Butler Place (Winter). Permits can be obtained at the Lebanon State Forest office, Batsto Visitors Center and at Atsion Ranger Station.

Maps of the Batona Trail may be obtained by writing to the Division of Parks and Forestry, State Park Service, CN 404, Trenton, New Jersey 08625. Be sure to enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope. Maps may also be obtained at the Forest Offices at Lebanon Forest, Batsto or Atsion.

The Annual Fall Endurance Walk of the trail is usually held the first Sunday in November.

On behalf of the Batona Hiking Club, I'd like to welcome everyone to the Batona Trail. I'm sure glad that you are here to honor the trails of New Jersey and I hope that you will not only use this trail but help to take care of it. Enjoy it during the various seasons of the year. It's great in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each season has much to offer! So on with your walking shoes and put one foot in front of the other and remember; a journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.

Thank you.

**Talk given on National Trails Bay, Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest.