Wanaque Ridge Loop

Back Beach Park /
Wanaque Reserve /
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Indian Rock Trail: Red blaze
Pete's Path: Red/Yellow blaze
Wanaque Ridge Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles

Pros: Nice views and quiet area
Cons: Noise from highway, Lack of shade on ridge
Hike Type: Eight Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/9xmPLcjfCUbMQZ156

Wyanokie Ridge is a narrow ridge with views on both sides, on the eastern flank of the Wanaque Reservoir. The Wanaque Ridge Trail goes along this trail, and connects to the many trails in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest. The hike starts at Back Beach Park, a nice local park in Wanaque, NJ, and crosses the Wanaque River over a narrow step stone bridge.

There are multiple unmarked trails across the river and some go up the ridge with a shortcut to Pete's Path. I took Pete's Path up the Wanaque Ridge along the ridge, then down the hill Profile Rock, a rock with a creepy face, and then took the parallel unmarked trail below the ridge back to Pete's Path. I then took another connector trail back to the Wanaque River which i then took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Indian Rock Trail Trailhead

Wyanokie Ridge Behind the Ball Field

Old Marker about the Bridge

Bridge Crossing the Wanaque River

Wanaque River

Old Trail Signs

Wanaque Ridge Trail

View Along the Wanaque Ridge Trail

Wanaque Reservoir and the Main Dam

Looking to Castle Hill in Ramapo Mountain Forest

Split Rock

Latern Fly. These Invasive Pests should be Killed

Windbeam Mountain in the Distance

Profile Rock. Note the Creepy Face.

Lake Henry, Continental Soldiers Park

Mahwah,
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Lake Henry Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 0:25 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.0 mile

Level of Difficulty: Very Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Tranquil Lake and pretty scenery
Pros: Quiet area and very pretty lake with lots of interesting waterfowl
Cons: Double-track path takes away from natural setting

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This is a little-known trail in Mahwah, right across from Ramapo College. Although it was a weekday, a beautiful, upper-70's day in the fall called to me for a quick lunchtime hike.

This area is right next to Ramapo Mountain Reservation, which is more well-known, but is not connected to it and is separated by the Ramapo River. There is a new trail that was created surrounding Lake Henry, and it is a pretty path with nice scenery of the lake and the mountains behind the lake. Lake Henry forms from a spur of the Ramapo River, and seems to be a natural lake with no dam. At the far end of the lake there is a short path to the main artery of the Ramapo River, which runs behind the lake. There were several interesting species of waterfowl present when I was there, including swans and several types of ducks. There are two bridges, one crossing at the inlet and one crossing at the outlet of the lake. The trail starts behind the park and tennis courts, and the path is a complete loop around the lake.

Map of the Route

Map Kiosk at the Beginning of the Trail

Foliage at the Ramapo Mountains

Ramapo Mountains and Hawk Rock Behind Lake Henry

Lake Henry with Ramapo Mountains  and Hawk Rock

Ditto

From  the Eastern Side of the Lake

Lake Henry from the Western Swan,
with all Different Waterfowl Swimming Around

Swan in the Lake

Swan and Duck Together

Bridge Over the Outlet of the Lake

Outlet of the Lake

Stunning View  from Southern  Part of the Lake

Another View from the Southern Part of the Lake

Panther Mountain

Ramapo Mountains,
Harriman State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain (SBM) Trail: Yellow blaze
Power Line Path
Unmarked Trail

Total Time: 2:00 hr
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Hiking Partner:
Yehuda Koblick

We started this hike at the Horse Stables off Route 202, near Wilder Rd. This is where the original Pine Meadow Trail started, and in about 2002 it was subsequently restarted here at its original location. The property where the trail starts is owned by Town of Ramapo Equestrian Center. The propery managers have a really nasty looking dog that follows you around when you start and finish, but he's ok.

We went up the trail along where it goes with the Gas Line path, and then started the climb to where it goes through a valley with a stream between Catamount and Panther Mountains. At the intersection of the SBM Trail, went north up to the summit of Panther Mountain, where there is an excellent view. Continued on the SBM past the summit, and then took an unmarked Trail down near a swamp that takes you all the way down to the Power Line/Gas Line paths. From there took the Power Line path back to the trailhead at the Horse Stables.

Map of the route.

The stream in the notch between
Panther Mountain & Catamount Mountain

View from Panther Mnt Summit.
Facing east towards South Mountain and Mt. Ivy.
The Hudson River can be seen to the left of the photo.

View from Panther Summit. Facing South.

Me at the Summit. Facing South.

Yehuda at the Summit.

From the view at the nothern part of the mountain.
Facing northeast towards Cheescoate Mnt and Hudson R.

North part of Panther Mountain
Facing North with Horse Chock Mountain
on left and Cheesecoate Mountain on right.