Greetings

The Friends of High Point State Park wish our members, volunteers, and the staff at High Point State Park a Happy New Year!

We deeply appreciate all of the time, energy, and donation dollars that you so generously give to support our organization throughout the year. Without you, we would not be able to bring our many free programs to the High Point State Park community. Thank you!

Winter Festival

A Celebration of Snow & Ice at High Point

Saturday, January 26

12 – 3 pm

HPSP Interpretive Center

Please join us for our annual Winter Festival. Bring the whole family for a day of winter fun at High Point. Activities will include winter themed crafts, guided hike, sing along, hot cocoa by the fire, and snowshoeing and ice-fishing demonstrations (conditions permitting). Local weather expert Nick Stefano may also stop by for a discussion on winter weather. Snow date for the event is Sunday, January 27.

We hope to see you on the mountain in 2013!

Autumn is the Season of Bountiful Harvests.

Join the Friends of High Point State Park as we celebrate the harvest season with: 

Open Hearth Cooking

Saturday, October 27

11 am – 3 pm

HPSP Interpretive Center

See how foods are prepared on the open hearth by our dedicated volunteers. 

Enjoy a sample tasting of delectable soups, meats, sides, and desserts that have all been cooked fireside. 

Activities include seasonal crafts for children and apple cider pressing demonstrations. The event is FREE, but donations are appreciated.

See you on the mountain!

HAPPY AUTUMN!

Autumn is a spectacular season at High Point State Park!

Lake Marcia

Sun dapples dance across the blue waters of lakes Marcia, Steenykill, and Sawmill, as ridge breezes and rising thermals carry migrating birds and butterflies on their journeys south. 

Monument Trail

Trails tempt hikers into leaf littered woods and up mountaintops for breathtaking views of ridges and valleys, gathered and stitched into a harvest colored quilt. 

Monument Trail

Campsites host cozy campfires on cool, quiet, star-filled nights. Visitors from around the world stop to enjoy our little corner of New Jersey.

Sawmill Lake Campground

We hope you and your family take time to visit High Point State Park this autumn. Please join the Friends of HPSP for our annual Open Hearth Cooking event on Saturday, October 27, for a taste of High Point. Enjoy the view and relax with our Yoga on the Mountain classes October 19 and November 10.

See you on the mountain! 

A Great Day on the Lake

Thank you to everyone who came up the mountain and joined the Friends for our Bait & Boat Festival! 

We had a wonderful day of fishing and boating on Lake Marcia. Unfortunately, our campfire was rained out. Photos from the day are now available for viewing from our photos page.

Be sure to join us Saturday, Oct 27, for our annual Open Hearth Cooking event, where visitors are welcomed to observe the Friends prepare a feast on the fireplace in the Interpretive Center and sample the many dishes hot off the hearth.

See you on the mountain soon!

Bait & Boat Festival Postponed to Raindate

Hello Folks,

Due to the forecasted strong thunderstorms, the Friends of High Point State Park Bait & Boat Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012, is postponed to the rain date.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

1 pm - 6:30 pm

Please join us this Sunday on the beach at Lake Marcia as we welcome back the sun and say goodbye to summer. 

See you on the lake! 

Goodbye Summer!

Bait & Boat Festival

Saturday, September 8, 2012

1 pm – 6:30 pm

Lake Marcia Beach

(Rain date Sunday, September 9.)

Join the Friends of HPSP on the beach at Lake Marcia as we say goodbye to summer with a fun-filled day of fishing and boating!

This special event is the one day of the year that boats are allowed on Lake Marcia. Participants may borrow one of the Friends’ kayaks or canoes for a short paddle around the lake or bring their own non-motorized boat and spend the day exploring. All boaters must wear a PFD while on the lake. Participants borrowing a boat, please stop by the beach after 1 pm to sign up for a paddle time slot. Participants bringing a non-motorized boat, please remember your PFDs and stop by the beach for boating instructions before putting your boat in the water.

Bait & Boat Festival Schedule

1:00 pm – Boating, Fishing Contest, and Crafts begin
2:00 pm – Boat Race
3:00 pm – Naturalist-guided paddle or hike
4:00 pm – Fishing Contest and Crafts end
5:00 pm – Boating ends and Campfire starts

5:30 pm – S’mores and Campfire fun
6:30 pm – Campfire concludes

If you would like to participate in the fishing contest, please bring your own fishing equipment and bait. Reminder, all persons fishing age sixteen or older must have and display a valid NJ State fishing license.

Pack a picnic supper and the beach toys. Bring the whole family up the mountain for a day of adventure at High Point State Park. Don’t forget to the camera! There are sure to be many opportunities to capture wonderful family memories.

This event is FREE, but donations to the Friends of High Point State Park are appreciated.

Event rain date is Sunday, September 9, 2012, 1 pm to 6:30 pm.

See you on Lake Marcia!

Jonathan Edward concert album available for viewing

Hello Everyone,

Photos from the Friends of High Point State Park Summer Concert Series Jonathan Edwards concert on August 19, 2012, are now available for viewing from the "Photos" page. 

Jonathan Edwards

Thank you again to everyone who came up the mountain for the concert. We appreciate your support. 

Hope to see you all at Bait & Boat on September 8 (rain date Sept. 9)!

Jonathan Edwards Summer Concert

Thank you to everyone who came up the mountain for the Jonathan Edwards concert Sunday, August 19. 

The crowd enjoyed the last concert of the season and the beautiful evening.

Photos of concert goers will be available for viewing on our photos page soon. 

Be sure to join us Saturday, September 8 (rain date Sept 9) for our Bait & Boat Festival.

See you on the mountain again soon!

Jonathan Edwards Concert Sunday Aug. 19

Jonathan Edwards photo credit Randy Findlay

The Friends of High Point State Park invite you to a special evening of music in the park with national folk and Americana music veteran Jonathan Edwards on Sunday, August 19, from 6 pm to 8 pm on the beach at Lake Marcia. Edwards will perform the third and final concert in the Friends of High Point State Park 2012 Summer Concert Series. 

Edwards’ highly respected repertoire includes such classics as “Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy,” “Sometimes,” “One Day Closer,” “Don’t Cry Blue,” “Emma,”  “Everybody Knows Her,” “Athens County,” “Shanty,” and “Sunshine (Go Away Today).” The barefoot troubadour, whose career spans over 40 years, is sure to entertain both longtime fans and soon-to-be fans at this special night of music under the setting sun on Kittatinny Mountain.

Admission to this special concert event is a suggested donation of $10 per adult. Children are admitted free. Park entrance fees apply to admission before 4 pm. 

Seating is lawn and beach seating. Bring your own blankets and chairs. The concert is a family-friendly event. Picnicking is encouraged. Alcohol is strictly forbidden. 

In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the High Point State Park Interpretive Center. To learn more about Jonathan Edwards and his music, please visit www.jonathanedwards.net.

The Friends of High Point State Park is a non-profit organization that fosters and supports activities at High Point State Park in Sussex, NJ. Proceeds of the concert will go toward funding this and future events.

Lake Marcia beach

We hope to see you on the mountain Sunday, August 19! 

A beautiful evening of music on the mountain!

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 

Patrick Fitzsimmons concert!

Photos from the evening are now available for viewing from our photos page. We hope you all enjoyed the concert. Please share your photos of the evening on the High Point State Park Facebook page. 

Remember to join us in August for the final concert in the 2012 Friends of High Point State Park Summer Concert Series with a special performance by Jonathan Edwards on SUNDAY, August 19, 6-8 pm on the beach. 

See you on the mountain again soon!

Patrick Fitzsimmons Concert

The Friends of High Point State Park Summer Concert Series welcomes back Patrick Fitzsimmons! Spend the day exploring High Point and stay for a night of music under the setting sun. 

Park entrance fees apply to admission before 4 pm. Picnicking is welcome, but alcohol is prohibited.  

Please join us on the mountain!

Summertime!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!


We hope you are enjoying this warm summer day at High Point State Park. There are many wonderful shaded trails to explore and a cool mountain lake to swim in when you're ready to relax!

Summer Concert Series


Be sure to join us on Saturday, July 14, 6 pm to 8 pm, when Patrick Fitzsimmons returns to High Point in the second concert of the Friends of High Point State Park Summer Concert Series. 

Patrick Fitzsimmons

Just Announced Addition to the Summer Concert Series!


Jonathan Edwards, a National Folk and Americana Music veteran will close the summer concert series with a special performance on Sunday, August 19, 6 pm to 8 pm. 

Jonathan Edwards photo credit Randy Findlay

We hope to see you all on the mountain soon. Have a safe holiday!

See You on the Mountain!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Thank you to everyone who attended the Friends of HPSP Teddy Bear Picnic on Saturday, June 9, 2012. 

We all had a wonderful time. Photographs from the picnic are now available for viewing from our photos page.

Trail Magic!

High Point State Park has over fifty miles of trails. Amongst those many miles, is a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Approximately 2,180 miles long in its entirety, running from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine, the Appalachian Trail passes through 14 states, including New Jersey. 

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, about 2,000 hikers, known as thru-hikers, attempt to hike the entire trail each year, with only 1 in 4 completing the whole journey. 

This summer the Friends of High Point State Park are treating Appalachian Trail thru-hikers to a cold soda as they pass through the park. 

One such hiker, Lucas Laviolet, trail name Plus 3, has been writing a blog, Slower Than That Bear, But Faster Than You, about his adventure on the A.T. and mentioned High Point State Park:

“The next morning I entered High Point State Park and received a free Pepsi at the park headquarters from the Friends of High Point State Park. Thank you Friends of HPSP!”

Photo Credit Lucas Laviolet, Plus 3, 2012

So, to all the adventurous souls attempting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail…

Welcome to the top of New Jersey – Elev. 1803’

Congratulations on making it to High Point State Park!

Thank you to Plus 3 for acknowledging the Friends of High Point State Park on your blog. We are happy to see that A.T. thru-hikers are enjoying our little bit of trail magic!

Summer Concert Series

The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring FREE concerts on the beach. Please join us for what are sure to be wonderful evenings of music in the park:

June 23 - Mike Lawlor, Jeff Hemmerlin, and Cardon Raquet

July 14 - Patrick Fitzsimmons

  

Hope to see you on the mountain!

Friends of High Point State Park Sponsor a Teddy Bear Picnic

Teddy Bear Picnic

Saturday, June 9

1:30 - 3:30 pm

High Point State Park 

Interpretive Center

B.Y.O.T.B. (Bring your own teddy bear)

The Friends of High Point State Park cordially invite families with children ages 2 through 10, and their favorite teddy bears, to a teddy bear picnic Saturday, June 9, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the High Point State Park Interpretive Center. 

Activities will include a black bear discovery station, craft, story time, and picnic snack. 

The program is FREE, but PARK ENTRANCE FEES APPLY AND WILL BE CHARGED AT THE GATE. Donations to the Friends of High Point State Park are appreciated. 

To register, please call Michelle at (201) 650-8475 or send an email to friendshpsp@gmail.com.  

Hope to see you on the mountain!

Explorations at High Point State Park

The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring a Day of Explorations, Saturday, May 12, noon to 4 pm.

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP @ 2:30 pm!

Bring your digital camera

Spring is here so it’s time to come out of hibernation, get outside, and explore High Point State Park!  Enjoy a self-guided hike along one of High Point’s many trails, take in the view from the Monument, or explore the shore of Lake Marcia and look for the return of ducks, dragonflies, and frogs, oh my!

Document your explorations, discoveries, and memories with your digital camera, art, or writing, and join the Friends of HPSP in the Interpretive Center to create a keepsake scrapbook journal. Participants may also bring photos from their latest adventure to any favorite place and create an explorations journal.

Families wishing to create a keepsake journal should preregister as space is limited. A digital camera with a removable media card is recommended. Please visit the Interpretive Center the day of the event to register and learn about all the wonderful places to explore at High Point State Park. The event is FREE of charge, but donations to the Friends of High Point State Park are appreciated. To preregister, please email the Friends at friendshpsp@gmail.com or call Michelle at 201-650-8475. The event will be held rain or shine.

Hope to see you all on the mountain!

Thanks for Attending!

The Friends of High Point State Park would like to thank everyone who journeyed up Kittatinny Mountain to welcome spring and celebrate Earth Day during their 3rd Annual Celebrate Nature Coffee House, Saturday, April 14, at High Point State Park. 

A wonderful afternoon of music on the mountain was enjoyed by all in attendance. Professional musicians Acoustic R.E.N.O., Hard Luck with Ray Sikora, Joe Rocco, and P.U.S.H., entertained visitors with their upbeat performances. Brave local musicians shared their talents during three open mic sessions. Young visitors joined an impromptu drum circle and took their turn at creating music. Photos from the day are available for viewing from our photos page.


Be sure to stop by and see us at the Vernon Earthfest, at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon, NJ, on Sunday, April 29, 11 am - 4 pm. There will be many wonderful family and earth-friendly activities to enjoy.


See you on the mountain! 

3rd Annual Celebrate Nature Coffee House

The Friends of High Point State Park welcome spring and recognize Earth Day with our 3rd Annual Celebrate Nature Coffee House Saturday, April 14, 2012, 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Come spend the morning exploring High Point State Park and then join us for afternoon of music and poetry in the Interpretive Center. 

Take a seat, relax, and enjoy the great entertainment or be brave and step on up to the microphone. Local musicians and poets are invited to share their talents during Open Mic sessions at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3 pm. Interested performers, please come early to register for an open mic time slot. 

We are excited to present to you our lineup of great professional musicians. Acoustic R.E.N.O. will open the show at 12:30 pm. Hard Luck with Ray Sikora will entertains us with some amazing harmonies at 1:30 pm. Joe Rocco will rock High Point State Park at 2:30 pm. PUSH takes the stage at 3:30 pm. 

We will be having a great time up on the mountain - be sure not to miss this wonderful event! The Celebrate Nature Coffee House is a FREE program sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park. Donations are welcomed and appreciated.

See you on the mountain!

Earth Hour

Lights Out on High Point State Park Monument!

The Friends of High Point State Park will once again be participating in Earth Hour, on Saturday, March 31, 2012. 

Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative inviting individuals, businesses, governments, and communities to turn off their lights for one hour to show their support for environmentally sustainable action and a better future for our planet.

Earth Hour 2012 Official Video 

Earth Hour 2012 Official Video with Spanish Subtitles

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour. The Earth Hour initiative has been growing ever since. On March 26, 2011, Earth Hour set a new record when 5,251 communities in 135 countries across all 7 continents joined in the global display of action. People across the world, from all walks of life, turned off their lights and came together in celebration of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. Earth Hour 2011 also marked the beginning of a new global community commitment, Beyond the Hour, promoting lasting actions to create a more sustainable planet. Earth Hour 2012 will reach new horizons, extending to the International Space Station, where ESA astronaut and WWF ambassador Andre Kuipers will share photos and live commentary of his experience as lights are turned off around the globe.

Earth Hour 2012 will take place on Saturday, March 31, from 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (local time). The lights on the High Point State Park monument will be turned off for the entire night, as they were last year, in honor of Earth Hour. Please join us this Earth Hour in going beyond the hour and think about what else you can do to make a difference for the planet. Together our actions add up. Visit www.earthhour.org to learn how you can participate in Earth Hour 2012. 

The Friends of High Point State Park are pleased to announce the 2012 Yoga on the Mountain Series schedule.

Yoga on the Mountain

Enjoy the beautiful view

while relaxing your mind and body!

All levels are invited to participate

2012 Yoga on the Mountain Classes

April 21, Saturday, 9:30 – 10:45 am            

May 19, Saturday, 9:30 – 10:45 am         

June 22, Friday, 6:00 – 8:00 pm               

July 20, Friday, 6:30 – 7:45 pm                

August 24, Friday, 6:15 – 7:30 pm                

September 22, Saturday, 9:00 – 11:00 am              

October 19, Friday, 5:30 – 6:45 pm                

November 10, Saturday, 9:30 – 10:45 am   

Yoga on the Mountain classes are held in the High Point State Park Interpretive Center. Please bring your own yoga mat.

Walk-ins are welcome. However, registration is suggested so that we may contact you in the event a class is cancelled.   

To register, please call 973-702-0488.

A donation of $5.00 per class is recommended.

Bundle up and join us on the mountain!

WINTER FESTIVAL

A Celebration of Snow and Ice

At High Point State Park

Saturday, January 28, 2012

12 – 3 pm

High Point State Park

Interpretive Center

(Snow Date Sunday, January 29)

Join Us for a Day of Winter Fun

12:00 – 3:00 pm Ice fishing Demonstration* and Snowshoeing*, Bird Feeder and Seasonal Crafts for Children, Decorate-Your-Own Cookie & Cupcake Station

12:30 pm Guided Hike

1:00 pm   Storytime

1:30 pm   Weather Expert Nick Stefano

2:00 pm   Sing Along, Cookies & Cocoa by the Fireplace

Sponsored by the Friends of HPSP

The event is FREE, but donations are welcomed and appreciated.

(*Ice and Snow Conditions Permitting)

See you on the Mountain!