Sunday, March 3, 2024

Assiniwikam Mountain Late Winter Hike

Camp Wyanokie /
Norvin Green State Forest
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Wyanokie Circular Trail: Red blaze
Will Monroe Loop: Pink blaze

Total Time: 1:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Very quiet area, good climb, amazing view
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/fBrnVpB2FxdUFN7B9

I was here about a year and a half prior. It was late autumn and unseasonably cold. It felt like a really cold winter day with heavy winds. This hike was at th same spot but just the opposite. It was a very warm late winter day, with temperatures in the mid-60's. I hike in my shirt sleeves and really enjoyed the weather and terrain on this early March day. 

I did the same look I did prior, but did the loop of the Will Monroe Train the opposite direction, starting at the northern side and then exiting at the southern side. This hike is totally underrated. It's got great rock formations, and a fantastic view and a scenic lake at the beginning. 

I parked at Camp Wyanokie, at Boy Scout Lake, and took Snake Den Road south to the Wyanokie Circular Trail trailhead. I crossed the pretty brook and took the Will Monroe Loop up to the top, along the rocky area and boulders, and took the short spur to the view. I then continued along the trail back down towards the Wyanokie Circular Trail which I took north back to Snake Den Road and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Boy Scout Lake



Wyanokie Circular Trailhead


Scenic Brook at the Trailhead


Ascending Assiniwikam Mountain from the Will Monroe Loop


Tripod Rock



Assiniwikam Mountain Loop


Manhattan Skyline in the Distance

Looking Towards Wyanokie High Point and Wanaque Reservoir











Another Tripod Rock

The View on the Descent of Assiniwikam Mountain








Trail Intersection

Boy Scout Lake





Sunday, February 25, 2024

Ridge Loop at Ramapo Reservation

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Vista Spur Trail: Yellow/Black blaze
Vista Ridge Connector Trail: Black/Yellow blaze
Ridge Loop: Blue blaze
Reservoir Loop: Pink blaze
Brookside Trail: Black/Pink blaze
Vista Loop Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:05 minutes
Estimated Distance: 4.4 Mile

Pros: Scenic lakes and nice area
Cons: Very busy at the beginning of hike
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7dBEneGJ1Pphd7Ke9

The Ridge Loop trail is a result of the restructuring of the trails in Ramapo Valley County Reservation. It's a longer loop than the shorter Vista Loop, but goes deeper off the beaten path. The weather was very cold, but it was also bright and sunny. I parked at the main parking area, and took the Vista Spur past Scarlet Oak Pond, and up to the Vista Ridge Connector Trail and then the Ridge Loop. I then took the Reservoir Loop pas MacMillan Reservoir to the Brookside Trail, and back to the Ridge Trail which I took all the way up and down the ridge to the Vista Loop Trail to the view. I then went back to the Ridge Loop Trail back down and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Scarlet Oak Pond



Swan in Scarlet Oak Pond



MacMillan Reservoir


Last Bit of Snow Across MacMillan Reservoir




MacMillan Reservoir


Small Waterfall Along the Brookside Trail


Snow on the Ridge Loop Trail

View Near the Vista Loop and Ridge Loop Intersection