Moggy Hollow
Somerset County, NJ
14 acres

Directions:

From I-287: Take exit for Routes 202/206 North. Bear right onto Route 202 North. Continue on Route 202 North, through two traffic lights. Turn right onto Liberty Corner Road. Turn right onto Layton Road. Parking is available at Buck Gardens. The URWA property is adjacent to Buck Gardens, but you must ask the garden staff to give you access to Moggy Hollow. If you wish to begin your exploration at the top of the Moggy Hollow gorge, you may continue on Liberty Corner Road for approximately 1/4 mile. There will be a driveway on your right that is marked by a Green Acres sign.

Geology:

This is a narrow, steep-sided ravine walled off at one end by a ledge of basaltic rock. Moggy Hollow was a major outlet for the lake when outlets at Little Falls and Paterson were blocked by advancing glacial ice. Glacial Lake Passaic stretched for many miles and rose until it reached the height of the ledge at Moggy Hollow 331 feet above sea level.  For thousands of years this ledge was the drainage spillway of Glacial Lake Passaic, which lay to the east and north. The area around the spot is rich, rolling countryside. The ravine dates back approximately 10,000 years to the last period of glaciation in northern New Jersey.

History:

This area is a designated Natural Historic Landmark. 

Habitats:

woodland, cliffs, bog

Trails:

 This is not an especially visitor-friendly site. The terrain is very steep and hazardous. Rocky slopes abruptly meet the bog, and walking is difficult. The site is quite worth the challenge.

Source: Upper Raritan Watershed Association; http://www.urwa.org/land/farhills.htm