AEG FIELD TRIP: June 10

ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGISTS New York– Philadelphia Chapter

FIELD TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Geology of Cushetunk Mountain and Round Valley Reservoir, Lebanon, NJ

 Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

MEET AT CORNHUSKERS PARK IN READINGTON, on Dreahook Rd. East, off of Rt. 523 AT 10 am Cornhuskers Park (readingtontwpnj.gov)

Presented by: Gregory C. Herman, PhD Adjunct Professor - Rider College

DESCRIPTION

Join us for a brisk morning hike up Cushetunk Mountain in Hunterdon County, once called the “place of the wild hogs” by the Lenape Native Americans. Cushetunk Mountain is a horseshoe-shaped intrusion formed by a sill - dike complex purported to be 10 MY older than the Watchung mountains. Located between the Flemington and Ramapo faults, the ridge crest offers spectacular views of the eastern Piedmont and Round Valley Reservoir.

For LSRPs, Geologists and other Remediation Practitioners, this trip will be an instructional opportunity to learn more about the Triassic Basin, a complex geological terrain that is hard to visualize and understand with conceptual site models (CSMs.)

It is said that on a clear day, you can see the ships in Raritan Bay from the top of Cushetunk Mountain. We will observe the grey diabase, learn about the controversial history of the man-made Round Valley Reservoir, and see the mysterious stone cairns that some believe to be burial mounds of indigenous American origin.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Gregory Charles Herman is a PhD structural geologist who has extensive experience mapping Appalachian geology and groundwater throughout New Jersey, southern New York, and eastern Pennsylvania. He received his Masters from the University of Connecticut, and his PhD from Rutgers. Dr. Herman had a long career at the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey and now is an adjunct professor at Rider University and a Consultant at Trap Rock Industries. He has published and coauthored dozens of papers and two books. An online summary of his work and publications are available at Impact Tectonics . Chapter 4 of his most recent book Geological Essays on Some Cultural and Geophysical Mysteries discusses Cushetunk Mountain.

Location Map: Cushetunk Mountain Trailhead and Cornhuskers Park, Dreahook Road E, Whitehouse Station, NJ

TRIP LOGISTICS

• 10:00 am Assemble at Cornhuskers Park on Readington Road just east of the intersection with Main Street.
• 10:00 am to 10:30 am Carpool or Shuttle to Trailhead (106 Old Mountain Road, Lebanon) due to parking

space limitations at the destination.

• 10:30 to 1:00 pm Hike up Cushetunk Mountain, an easy but steep trail gaining 500 feet in about 0.4 miles.

Once at the ridge we will continue off trail to study the geology in detail and observe the stone cairns that

may be Native American burial mounds. Hike out.

• 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm Shuttle and Carpool back to Cornhuskers Park
• 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Picnic Lunch at the park and post hike discussions.

Gear:

Protocols: Lunch:

Cost: Attendance: RSVP:

Background:

CECs:

Terrain is steep, with rocks and can be muddy. Wear appropriate footwear. Consider bringing hiking poles. Long pants and tick repellant recommended. Bring water for the trail.

Leave no trace. Take no samples.

Box lunches (sandwich, chips, beverage, fruit) will be provided for $15.00. Make your selection (beef, turkey or cheese) when you make your reservation.

AEG Members $65, Non-Members $85, Students and Professor $15. Lunch $15

Attendance is limited to the first 30 people to register. Preference will be given to AEG members. Adults only.

Email us at aeg.nyp@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Mail your registration form and check made out to AEG NYP c/o PGI at 209 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542 Registration and payment must be received by Monday, June 5, 2023.

Confirmation will be sent by email. Questions: aeg.nyp@gmail.com

IF YOU REGISTER ONLINE: 
Your name is now on the sign-up list for the Field Trip, but your registration will not  be complete until your payment is received.

 History of the Round Valley Reservoir: https://youtu.be/mhkUyQh_P60

 Geologic map of Cushetunk Mountain in Roadside Geology of New Jersey, by David

Harper, 2013, pp 155- 157.

 Cultural lore in Chapter 4 of G. Herman's latest book: Geological Essays on Some Cultural

and Geophysical Mysteries, 2022.

Three professional development hours (pdh) for Continuing Education Credit (CEC) will be awarded

SRPLB Approval for Three hours of Technical CEC will be requested