Ramapo Reservation MacMillan Reservoir

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Mahwah, NJ

Hiking Trails:
Vista Spur Trail: Yellow black blaze
Vista-Ridge Connector: Blue yellow blaze
Ridge Loop: Blue blaze
Reservoir Loop: Pink blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Scenic lakes
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pu4CNme1DEDA6L7h7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

The conditions were icy and time was limited, and this was a good choice as it's a busy trail and well-traversed. There were still some difficult sections to navigate but overall it was a good hike choice. We parked at the Ramapo Reservation parking area, and took the Vista Spur Trail to the Vista-Ridge Connector ascending towards MacMillan Reservoir. We then continued on the Ridge Loop to the MacMillan Reservoir dam, and continued a short distance on the pink-blazed Reservoir Loop Trail. We then turned around along the same route (though taking the parallel trail of the Vista-Ridge Connector down the mountain.)

Map of the Route

Ramapo River at Ramapo Reservation Near Sunset

Scarlet Oak Reservoir (Frozen)

Ramapo Reservation Waterfalls from Above on the Vista-Ridge Connector Trail

Brook Near the Outlet of MacMillan Reservoir

Icy Conditions on the Vista Loop Trail

MacMillan Reservoir

Jackie Jones Fire Tower Opened

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 2.2 miles

Pros: Good view on top of tower
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9m3CtGTf9aKi1Lox7

I was tight on time, so opted for a shorter hike close by. This hike fits the bill and is a shorter hike with big rewards. I had heard that the Jackie Jones fire tower was reopened after being closed, so I decided to check it out. Being that the Fire Tower is high above the trees it affords an amazing 360 panorama view of the entire area. I parked at the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trailhead on County Route 106, and took the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail up Jackie Jones. I passed the Orak ruin and continued along the trail to the tower. The fence was still present, but the door was opened despite the sign for authorized personnel only. I climbed up to the tower, but it was quite scary with the strong winds. I then climbed back down and headed back along the same route.

Map of the Route

New Trailhead Map

Gatehouse at the ORAK Ruin

View at the ORAK Ruin

Ascending Jackie Jones Mountain

Jackie Jones Communications Tower

Fire Tower

View from the Fire Tower, Facing East

View from the Fire Tower, Facing West and Lake Welch

View from the Fire Tower, Facing North

View from the Fire Tower, Facing South

In the Fire Tower

Return to the ORAK Ruin

Harriman Welcome Sign

Kakiat First Season Snowstorm

Kakiat County Park /
Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, nice climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very Difficult in Snow

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SZdPJdTimieU7iEVA

This was the first significant snow of the season. It was still snowing when we went hiking but was already tapering down. We parked at the Kakiat parking area and took the Mountain Trail up to the first view. We then continued to the upper view at Kakiat, and then continued along the trail past the power lines to the Kakiat Trail. We took the Kakiat Trail all the way down the mountain and then along the foot back to the trailhead and back to our car.

Start of the Hike

Map of the Route at the Trailhead

Mahwah River from the Bridge

Mountain Trail

Kakiat Lower View

Ascending to the Upper View, with a Break in the Snow and Clouds

Kakiat Upper View