Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Assiniwikam Mountain

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, November 20, 2022

Assiniwikam Mountain Will Monroe Loop

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

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

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.7 Miles

Pros: Quiet area, good climb, scenic rock, amazing views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

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

I had wanted to climb Assiniwikam Mountain in Norvin Green State Forest. This mountain is near Wyanokie High Point, and is a relatively easy climb with a really rewarding view. The top is also full of large and intested boulders and rock formations, making this a very recommended hike.

The weather was unseasonably cold, with 25 mph winds and a windchill in the upper teens. I was well-dressed with a heavy coat, and felt as I was hiking during January! However, there was a bright blue sky which made the views all the more impressive. Not surprisingly, I did not encounter any other hikers on this hike despite this being on the weekend. I guess the weather scared them off.

I parked at Camp Wyanokie, near Boy Scout Lake. I took Snake Den Road to end where the Wyanokie Circular Trail trail continues south. I passed the first leg of the Will Monroe Loop and took the second leg up the mountain, passing the boulder field and the west-facing view. I then continued and took the short spur to the east-facing view, offering an incredible view of Wyanokie High Point, the Wanaque Reservoir, and Windbeam Mountain. I then continued along the trail to the end of the Will Monroe Loop and then took the Wyanokie Circular Trail back to Snake Den Road, and then went to check out the Camp Wyanokie area. I went to the dam of the Boy Scout Lake, and then turned around and went back to my car.