Field 12 Loop

Field 12 Loop is a short, easy loop in Schick Reserve on county land in New Jersey, about half a mile long and roughly 25 feet of elevation gain. It's a flat, low-lying route, with the high point at 385 feet and the low at 342 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.44 miles in, with a grade of about 4 percent. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and equestrians as well as hikers. The trip takes about half an hour, and the loop makes it easy to fit into a longer outing on the reserve's network of short trails. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bucksville, Pennsylvania, run to highs around 72°F in May and 76°F in September, with July the warmest month at about 85°F. Field 13 Loop is just 0.1 mile away, and Firehouse Loop and Field 2 Loop Trail are within a third of a mile. For time on the water, Merrill Creek Reservoir is about 10 miles off.