Ringwood State Park Mt Defiance to Bear Swamp Lake Loop

Ringwood State Park /
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen/Passaic Counties,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Crossover Trail: White blaze
Halifax Trail: Green blaze
Shore Trail: Blue blaze
Bear Swamp Trail: Red blaze
Pierson Ridge Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:55 Hours
Estimated Distance: 6.9 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Only first part recommended

Points of Interest: Scenic Ringwood area and Mt. Defiance
Cons: Lack of interesting points after beginning, too many switchbacks on trails

Once I was out exploring the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey the past several weeks, I decided to further explore by Ringwood and go towards the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, and meet up at Bear Swamp Lake, where I had been in the previous weeks. The weather was colder than usual and quite chilly for this time of year in general.

I parked in the Ringwood Parking area (Pb on the map) and walked up across the meadow by Swan Pond. I took the Crossover Trail briefly to the Halifax Trail terminus, and snaked up Mt. Defiance on the Halifax Trail towards the view. I then continued down the mountain into the valley, passing the Glassmere Ponds, and then climbing up the next ridge towards the Power Lines and Pierson Ridge Trails.

I continued along the Halifax Trail until it went down to the Bear Swamp Valley. I then took the Shore Trail briefly to the Bear Swamp Trail (not marked on the 2014 map edition, but marked at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation trailhead parking kiosk) and climbed back up the ridge, until the Pierson Ridge Trail. I took the Pierson Ridge Trail southward till its end at the Crossover Trail, and then took the Crossover Trail all the way back to the main are of Ringwood and then back to the car.

Map of the Route. North Jersey Trails Western Map

Bamboo Grove Near the Beginning of the Hike

New Blossoms 

Crossover Trail

Beginning of the Halifax Trail

View At Mt. Defiance

View at Mt. Defiance

Glasmere Ponds

View Along the Gas Line, Looking Northwest

View Along the Gas Line, Looking Northeast

Open Grass Field Near the Botanical Gardens

New Spring Blossoms

Hiking Poles Looking Towards the Mansion

Bear Swamp Lake

Ramapo Valley County Reservation /
Ringwood State Park
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Schuber Trail: Orange blaze
Macmillan Reservoir Loop Trail: Pink blaze
Red-Silver Trail: Red & Silver blaze
Shore Trail: Blue blaze
Hoeferline Memorial Trail: Yellow blaze
Halifax Trail: Green blaze
White Trail: White blaze
Ridge Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:55 Hours
Estimated Distance: 7.0 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended

Points of Interest: Scenic lakes, lots of trails
Cons: Lots of people in the beginning, too many human structures

This was a very Warm day for mid-December, reaching a high in the 60's. I had left in the morning with a light jacket, but as the hike progressed and the day warmed up, I took off the coat and hiked the rest in short sleeves. Overall the entire November and December had been exceptionally warm.

This area is very busy on weekends, especially nice weekends like this one. In fact, it was so busy that when I finished my hike and left, the large parking lot was entirely full! Though once you get past Macmillan Reservoir, the crowds entirely disappear and there is hardly a person in site!

I started off at the main parking area, crossed the bridge going across the Ramapo River, and veered left to the beginning of the Schuber Trail. This trail starts off going alongside the Ramapo River, and then juts westerly towards the mountain. It cuts through the mountain by the stream, where there is a well-known waterfall. I veered off slightly to take some pictures of the waterfall (which did not come out too well), and then headed back on the trail. I continued along towards the reservoir, and then veered off slightly on the Macmillan Reservoir Loop Trail, and crossed over the dam.

I continued back on the Schuber Trail past the reservoir to the Red-Silver Trail, which continued climbing and eventually took me to Bear Swamp Lake. This is a scenic lake far off the beaten path. At this point, I went south along the Shore Trail, which goes around the lake, went over the bridge by the dam at the southern outlet of the lake, and then went north along the western rim of the lake. I took this to the Hoeferline Memorial Trail, and then to the Halifax Trail. I took this trail to the White trail and then the Ridge Trail, where I veered off towards the view, and then continued along the trail back to Scarlet Oak Pond and back to the parking area.

Map of the Route
North Jersey Trails Eastern Map

Pair of Swans in Scarlet Oak Pond

Scarlet Oak Pond with Hawk Rock in the Background

Piece of River Foam Floating Down the Ramapo River

Old Structure on the Schuber Trail on the Foot of the Mountain
Was Recently Destroyed

Waterfall Along the Schuber Trail

MacMillan Reservoir

Me at the Macmillan Reservoir

Sign Posted About Brook Trout in Bear Swamp Brook

Incredible Picture Reflection in Bear Swamp Lake

Bear Swamp Lake Near the Outlet Bridge

Bear Swamp Lake Outlet

Another Reflection Picture in Bear Swamp Lake

Communications Tower Disturbing the Nature
Off the White Trail

Beech Trees with their Dried Brown Leaves Remaining

At the View of the Ridge Trail

Another Picture of the View by the Ridge Trail

Hawk Rock and Scarlet Oak Pond

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Mahwah,
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Silver Trail: Silver blaze
Scarlet Oak Pond Path: Unblazed
Halifax Trail: Green Blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles
Level of Difficulty: East
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended for a short hike

Points of Interest: Scenic lake and short hike to view
Cons: Way too many people here on weekend

This was another beautiful September day with a bright blue sky. I had a very busy schedule, so had to keep the hike relatively short. This hike features a very scenic lake and short hike to a view, but the problem is that it is insanely busy on weekends, with well over 100 cars in the large parking area.

I parked in the main parking area, and took the path to the Silver Trail, across the Ramapo River bridge. I then took the wide Scarlet Oak Pond Path around the lake in the full loop to the Halifax Trail. I took the Halifax Trail up the somewhat steep ascent to the view at Hawk Rock. Hawk Rock is a large exposed rock with a straight cliff going down, overlooking Scarlet Oak Pond to the south and Ramapo College to the west. I turned around after Hawk Rock and went back down the same trail to the Scarlet Oak Pond Road, and then went a loop around the other way of the lake via the Silver Trail. I then took this route back to my car.

Map of the Route. North Jersey Trails

Scarlet Oak Pond

Scarlet Oak Pond

The Ramapo River

The Same View as Above Zoomed into a Flock of Mallard Ducks

Ramapo Mountain from Scarlet Oak Pond Road

Scarlet Oak Pond from Hawk Rock. Facing South.

Zoomed in to Scarlet Oak Pond from Hawk Rock

Ramapo College from Hawk Rock and Lake Henry

View from Hawk Rock Facing Northeast

Another View of Ramapo College from Hawk Rock

Scarlet Oak Pond from the Silver Trail, at the End Route of the Hike

Hawk RockRamapo Reservation

Mahwah,
Bergen County,
New Jersey

Trails:
Halifax Trail: Green Blaze
Silver Trail: Silver Blaze

Total Time: 0:50 hr
Estimated Distance: 1.85 Miles

My time was limited so I needed to do a short hike. Since all the trees had just bloomed, ideally I wanted a short hike with a good view, so this was a perfect option. Ramapo Reservation has many different trails and options, though it is usually very busy and full of people. The deeper in you go the less people there are, though the mountains and terrain are a lot less dramatic then Harriman further north.

I parked in the large and busy parking lot, crossed the Ramapo River on the bridge, and took the path that skirts the east and north sides of Scarlet Oak Pond. Then took the Halifax Trail up the mountain up to Hawk Rock, which is about 15 minutes up from Scarlet Oak Pond, and offers a great view east and south. It faces directly towards Ramapo College with a great view of the campus. From Hawk Rock turned around and went back down the Halifax Trail, and went the other way along the Silver Trail which goes along the southern shore of Scarlet Oak Pond, and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Scarlet Oak Pond, near the beginning of the hike. Facing northwest.
Hawk Rock is the mountain on the right behind the Pond.

Scarlet Oak Pond, facing southwest.

Scarlet Oak Pond, facing northwest, zoomed.

On top of Hawk Rock. Facing east towards Ramapo College campus.

Atop Hawk Rock, facing south,
with Scarlet Oak Pond in view.

Scarlet Oak Pond near the end of the hike.
Facing northwest, with a beautiful swan on the right.

Mount Defiance

Ringwood State Park
Passaic County, New Jersey

Hike at Ringwood up Mount Defiance. Was a really cold day in late fall - about 20 degrees or so. Started at the lower parking lot, went on the large tree meadow to Swan Pond, took the Cross Over trail north to the Halifax Trail up Mount Defiance. Bushwacked to the viewpoint, then continued back on the trail to the Ringwood Ramapo Trail. Took the Ringwood Ramapo trail north to top of mountain, then turned around and headed back down.

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Mount Defiance looking West from the Tree Meadow

Swan Pond looking northeast towards Mt. Defiance

Halifax Trail trailhead

On top of Mt. Defiance looking West/Northwest