Ramapo Reservation Pre-Winter Hike

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Pond Loop: Silver blaze
Cactus Ledge Shortcut Route: Unblazed
Vista Loop: Yellow blaze
Ridge Loop: Blue blaze
River Trail: Orange/Green Trail

Total Time: 1:35 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.9 miles

Pros: Steep climb, great view, waterfalls
Cons: Very busy area, especially on weekends
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eLQwfjzKfMiEWcnQ8

I had found the two non-marked trails on Ramapo Reservation that are shortcuts to Cactus Ledge earlier in the year in the summer. I wanted to explore the area a bit more, now already in the cold weather in December. I parked in the main parking lot of Ramapo Reservation, and crossed the river on the bridge and took the Pond Loop on the busy path, and then took the unmarked trail at the bend where the trail starts climbing the mountain.

I took the steep trail up to Cactus Ledge, which is a great view, and then continued on the Vista Loop Trail. I took a spur trail to another previously unexplored rocky viewpoint. I then bushwhacked back to the Vista Loop and then took the Ridge Loop. Near the waterfalls I took an unmarked trail down above the falls and cross the brook to the Vista Loop to the waterfalls. The waterfalls was once again flowing nicely, and was partially icy from the cold weather. I then continued along the River Trail back accross the bridge and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Fly Fisherman in the Cold Ramapo River

Approaching Scarlet Oak Pond

Scarlet Oak Pond

View from Cactus Ledge

View from the Unmarked Trail Past Cactus Ledge

Crossing Bear Swamp Brook

Waterfalls at Ramapo Reservation

Cactus Ledge Shortcut Route

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Pond Loop: Silver blaze
Cactus Ledge Shortcut Route: Unblazed
Vista Loop: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.8 miles

Pros: Good climb, nice view, cactus grove
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eLQwfjzKfMiEWcnQ8

I had a graduation event in the morning and then had to be in Brooklyn in the afternoon to visit family, so I only had time for a short hike. Cactus Ledge in Ramapo Valley Reservation is a short and sweet hike. I opted for one of the unmarked routes for a direct path up.

The weather was also excessively hot with a heat advisory for the area. So it was anyways appropriate for a shorter hike due to the weather. I parked in the main parking area, and took the path across the Mahwah River, and then I took the loop around Scarlet Oak Lake. At the point where the Vista Loop bears away from the loop and up the mountain, I took the steep shortcut trail straight up the mountain, before reaching the unofficial red trail. I then continued up the rocky area to Cactus Ledge.

Cactus Ledge features a sweeping view with a great view of the Manhattan skyline. There is also a grove of native cactus there, and they had beautiful yellow flowers. I know that late June is when the cactus flowers bloom, so I figured this would be a good time to visit. I then went down along the unofficial red-blazed route down the mountain towards where the Ridge Loop Trail ends near the lake. I then continued back to my car.

Map of the Route

Ramapo River

Scarlet Oak Reservoir

Mahwah River

Scarlet Oak Reservoir

View of the Mountain

Unofficial Red Trail Shortcut Up the Mountain

Cactus Flowers at Cactus Ledge

View from Cactus Ledge, with Ramapo College in the Distance

Climbing Down the Mountain