Terrace Pond at Bearfort Mountain

Wawayanda State Park,
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Terrace Pond North Trail: Blue blaze
Terrace Pond Trail: White blaze

Total Time:  2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good climb, interesting rock formations, and impressively scenic natural lake

Google Map of Parking:

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Many parks and trails were still closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. I was in the vicinity of West Milford, and had heard about the scenic and serene Terrace Pond which is nearby, so I took this opportunity. Terrace Pond is a natural Lake high up on top of Bearfort Mountain, known for its interesting purple puddingstone rock, with rough climbing exposures and scrambles.

I parked at the trailhead at Clinton Road, and took the Terrace Pond North Trail. The first part is a scenic and tranquil part with an even terrain, and then the trail meets up with a gas pipeline which it briefly climbs, steeply. After the pipeline there are some nice scrambles and views, and eventually Terrace Pond is reached, with its beautiful waters and cliffs plunging into the lake. This is a natural lake and is not dammed. The trail goes over its outlet, which is on the south of the lake, and I found this part extremely flooded and muddy, and very difficult to navigate.

I then veered off on the white-blazed Terrace Pond Trail, which loops around the lake. After completing the trail, I was back at the Terrace Pond North Trail, and I took that trail back the same way I came.

At the pond, I met two park volunteers, who were scouting the area for downed trees to cut along the trails. They had mentioned to me they sighted a bear in the vicinity of the pipeline, so I should be cautious. I didn't see any bear here, but apparently many others have sighted bears on this hike in the vicinity of the pipeline.

Map of the Route

Sign Kiosk at the beginning of the hike

Rocks Crossing a stream

Gas Pipeline. The Bear lives around here.

Steep Rocks Climbing the Pipeline

View from atop the pipeline

Rock Face at Scramble at the main view

Rounded, glaciated rock protruding up at the view

View, facing west.

Same view, facing southwest.

Terrace Pond, from the south shore.

Natural outlet of Terrace Pond.
This area lacks a bridge and is very muddy and difficult to cross.

Terrace pond, from the east shore facing west.

Ditto

Ramapo Lake,Ramapo Mountain State Forest

Bergen and Passaic Counties,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
MacEvoy Trail: Blue blaze
Lookout Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 45 minutes
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short hike to a pretty lake
Points Of Interest: Beautiful Lake that must be hiked to.

Google Maps of Parking:

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I had exhibited at a trade show for much of the day, so only had a chance to do a short hike in the area near where I was. It was already nearing the end of the day, and this was a perfect hike. Being that this is one of the prettiest times to go hiking, as this was nearing the peak of the fall foliage, I really would have liked to do a longer hike, but I'll take what I can get. This happens to be a great short hike with a beautiful lake at the end.

I parked in the Parking area off Skyline Drive nearby the I-287 interchange. I took the MacEvoy Trail up to the Lake, and I had attempted to take the lookout trail, but realized it was too late as it was already starting to get dark. So I returned with the portion of the Lookout Trail going parallel to the stream and the MacEvoy Trail, and then cut through across the stream before that trail climbs up the mountain, and I diverted back to the MacEvoy Trail and then back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Foliage Along the side of the Lake

Sun Dipping Down over the Lake

Foliage and Reflection off Ramapo Lake, from the Dam.

Another foliage shot from the Dam.

And One More.

And here is a Professional Photographer Trying
to get a Similar Shot to Mine

Foliage at the Parking Area

Nordkop Mountain,Suffern,

Harriman State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.7 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short but solid hike with good views, but views are urban with built up villages and highways
Points Of Interest: Short but strenuous hike, nice view

Google Maps of Parking:

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This hike was within a few days of the disappearance of murderer Eugene Palmer in the wilderness of Harriman. This fugitive had killed his daughter-in-law and then fled into hiding in the vast Harriman State Park, and as I write this blog entry three weeks later, he is still missing. Parts of Harriman State Park were closed because of this - specifically the area where they found his car near Lake Welch. In order to stay safe, I had to hike in a totally different area of the park where I would be. I figured that the beginning if the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail is far enough and feels distant enough for Palmer not to interfere with my hike.

I was short on time, and this makes for a good and short hike - walking up the mountain for a relatively short distance. There are two views, a lower view on a rock outcrop that faces east, and another view several hundred feet further facing south. I parked at the end of Chestnut Street right near 202, as this is the closest public parking area from the hike. (I once parked in the Commutor Lot underneath the highway overpass, and received a ticket.) In order to dot his hike, you need to do a little bit of walking through Suffern on 202, for about 10 minutes. I climbed up to the top, snapped pictures, and then came down the same way.

Map of the Route

Steep Ascent Part Heading Toward the First View

Rocky Area at the First View

Looking South from the First View,
Toward the Interstate 287 Ramp Bridge and Sheraton Crossroads.

Another View Facing Southwest. A view of both Highway Ram Bridges.
The mountain behind the ramp is "Hoodge Kop".

View Facing West from the First View.
Note the Early Fall Foliage.

View From the Second View.
Facing South to Suffern.

View South to Sheraton Crossroads.

View South Past Suffern Zoomed Into the Manhattan Skyline.
The right side is Lower Manhattan with the Word Trade Center dominating,
and the left is Midtown with the Empire State Building Dominating.

Pine Swamp Loop, Harriman State Park

Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.25 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Beautiful, serene forest and good view at the end

Google Maps of Parking:

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This is one of my favorite loop hikes in Harriman. Its a very peaceful, tranquil part of the park, and although there are ups and downs on this hike, there is no difficult climbing. There are many streams, swamps, and various forest types encountered on this hike. The weather was also a perfect early autumn day, with temperatures in the low 70's in low humidity.

I parked at the Lake Skanatati parking area off 7 Lakes Drive, and took the Long Path along the side of Lake Skanatati. I continued along past the lake inlet brook, and all the way to the Dunning path. I took the Dunning Path north, and then shortly after took short detour to bushwack up the hill on the left side of the trail to see if there is a view there. There was no view, but the flora and coverage on top here is beautiful. I climbed back down to the Dunning Trail towards the Pine Swamp, passing along to the left of the old Pine Swamp Mine, and then took the Arden-Surebridge Trail up and around Pine Swamp Mountain all the way toward the view. The view overlooks Lakes Skanatati and Kanawauke, and there are usually people here at the view. After the view continued the short descent down to the parking area and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati at the Beginning of the Hike

Nice Forest Scene at the Intersection of Long Path and Dunning Trail

On top of hill by my small bushwack detour off the Dunning Trail

The Pine Swamp, in early autumn foliage colors.

Large cut in the Pine Swamp Mine

Famous view on top of Pine Swamp Mountain.
Facing south towards Lake Skanatati and Kanawauke in the Distance.

Another view from Pine Swamp Mountain. Facing southeast.

What an Amazing Blue Sky! Picture taken at the above view.

Castle Point and Ramapo Lake

Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Bergen and Passaic Counties,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Hoeferlin Trail: Yellow blaze
Castle Point Trail: Red blaze
Cannonball Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.0 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Easy yet significant hike with good points of interest.
Points Of Interest: Mansion Ruins, View, and Pretty Lake

Google Maps of Parking:

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This is a popular area on weekends, though this area in the State Forest is quiet since most people hike to Ramapo Lake. I parked on the upper parking area on Skyline Drive, and crossed the street and took the Hoeferlin Trail parallel to the road. This small section has a surprising small climb. From there, took the Castle Point Trail, crossing the busy road, and continued along to the old abandoned estate with all its ruins. The first ruin is a stone tower which was once a Water cistern. As this was my first time here, I entered the structure and looked around inside. I then continued along to the ruined castle, which also has a great overlook of the Wanaque Reservoir and the Wyanokies. According to the New Jersey Walk Book (Daniel Chazin), the castle is the abandoned mansion known as Foxcroft, built around 1910 by William Porter, a stockbroker. It was occupied until 1940 and set on fire by vandals in the 1950's. The trail goes right through it, and then starts descending right after a nice view of Ramapo Lake.

From there I took a woods road down to a rocky point at the base of Ramapo Lake, and then retraced myself back to the Cannonball Trail, and took this trail north. This part of the Cannonball Trail is under erosion control and has been rerouted as annoying switchback loops which make it take much longer than it should. After hitting the road, I took a shortcut path to the Hoeferlin Trail which I took back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Wanaque Reservoir and the Wyanokies, from the View. Facing Southwest.

Wyanokie High Point, from the View. Facing Southwest.

Water Tower Ruin

Inside the Water Tower Ruin

Old Swimming Pool from the Estate.

Trail as it enters the Estate Ruin

Inside the Abandoned Estate Ruin

Ramapo Lake Before Descending. Facing Southeast.

View from the Descent, facing South-Southwest.

Closer View Approaching Ramapo Lake

At the Shore of Ramapo Lake