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

Ridge Loop at Ramapo Reservation

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Vista Spur Trail: Yellow/Black blaze
Vista Ridge Connector Trail: Black/Yellow blaze
Ridge Loop: Blue blaze
Reservoir Loop: Pink blaze
Brookside Trail: Black/Pink blaze
Vista Loop Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:05 minutes
Estimated Distance: 4.4 Mile

Pros: Scenic lakes and nice area
Cons: Very busy at the beginning of hike
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7dBEneGJ1Pphd7Ke9

The Ridge Loop trail is a result of the restructuring of the trails in Ramapo Valley County Reservation. It's a longer loop than the shorter Vista Loop, but goes deeper off the beaten path. The weather was very cold, but it was also bright and sunny. I parked at the main parking area, and took the Vista Spur past Scarlet Oak Pond, and up to the Vista Ridge Connector Trail and then the Ridge Loop. I then took the Reservoir Loop pas MacMillan Reservoir to the Brookside Trail, and back to the Ridge Trail which I took all the way up and down the ridge to the Vista Loop Trail to the view. I then went back to the Ridge Loop Trail back down and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Scarlet Oak Pond

Swan in Scarlet Oak Pond

MacMillan Reservoir

Last Bit of Snow Across MacMillan Reservoir

MacMillan Reservoir

Small Waterfall Along the Brookside Trail

Snow on the Ridge Loop Trail

View Near the Vista Loop and Ridge Loop Intersection

Ramapo Reservation Rainy Spring Hike

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
River Trail: Orange/Green blaze
Vista Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
Reservoir Loop: Pink blaze
Brookside Trail: Blue/Pink blaze
Ridge Loop Trail: Blue blaze
Marsh Loop Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:45 Hours
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Points of Interest: Scenic lakes, waterfall, and nice scenery
Cons: Area is often busy, especially on weekends, though quiet today due to heavy rains

Hiking Partner:
Rayzi Friedman

The last several Sundays had lousy weather, and this week was no exception. The rain was steady but not strong, so we decided to don my rain gear and head out for the hills.

We parked in the Ramapo Reservation parking area, (which was quite empty for a Sunday) and took the River Trail alongside the Ramapo River, which was overflowing. The trail was very wet with many puddles. We then took the Vista Loop Trail up the waterfalls, which were exceptional, and continued to the Reservoir Loop to the dam. After the dam, we continued on this trail along the northern side of MacMillan Reservoir, and then took the newly blazed Brookside Trail for a short distance to its terminus at the Ridge Loop.

This trail is new and goes alongside the brook until it reaches the Brookside Trail. Also new is the Marsh Loop Extension, which I'll mention shortly. We took the new trail to the Ridge Loop Trail, and then took the newly extended Marsh Loop Trail back to the Reservoir Trail, though on the south side of the reservoir.  We then took the Ridge Loop Trail down the mountain, to Scarlet Oak Pond at the Vista Loop Trail and then back to the car.

Map of the Route

Kiosk at the Beginning of the Trail, all Wet and Muddy

Ramapo River from the Bridge, Flowing Very Strongly

Overflowing Scarlet Oak Pond

Me in my Raingear at Scarlet Oak Pond

Beginning of the River Trail

Me at the Trailhead of the River Trail

Flooded River Trail

River Trail and the Ramapo River

Crossing the Flooded Stream on the River Trail

Me at the Ramapo Reservation Waterfall

Another View Similar to the Above

Me at the Above Waterfall

Another View of the Waterfalls, Closer In

Intense Green Color on the Vista Loop Trail

Me at the MacMillan Reservoir Dam

MacMillan Reservoir from the Dam

View of MacMillan Reservoir on the Rock on the North Shore

MacMillan Reservoir from the Northern End

The Trailhead Marker of the New Brookside Trail

Small Waterfall along the Brookside Trail

NJSAR (New Jersey Search & Rescue) Members Setting up a Training

The new Extension of the Marsh Loop Trail