Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Rocky Ridge Trail

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Campgaw Mountain Spring Hike

Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Old Cedar Trail: Red blaze
Rocky Ridge Trail: Blue blaze
Dogwood Lane Trail: Pink blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 2.0 miles

Pros: Many trails, good view
Cons: Trails can be confusing
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/UDKJ6THC35cwpCoL6

The weather during this week was beautiful, with bright sunny skies and highs in the low 70's. Before going to work I headed out to nearby Campgaw Mountain, where I had been earlier in the year during a snowstorm. The contrast was remarkably different now, with my short sleeves and the sound and feel of spring accentuated by the deep blue sky. I still had experienced some more snow, certainly the very last till next season, which remained at the summit of Campgaw Mountain packed on from a very snowy winter season. It was quite an experience standing on a snow pile in short sleeves in the spring.

I parked at the roadside parking near the Old Cedar Trail, and took the Old Cedar Trail north, crossing Fyke Brook, and then entering and exiting the edge of the large parking lot. I continued up the mountain on the Old Cedar Trail, and then went south along the ridge to the mountain summit. I took the Connector Trail and took a short break for pictures at the summit at the top of the ski lift, which had a great view and the big mound of snow. I then took the Rocky Ridge Trail down the mountain, parallel to the ski and snowtubing slope, down to Fyke Pond at the inlet. I then took the Dogwood Lane Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trail Crossing Sign of the Old Cedar at the Road in Campgaw

Old Cedar Trail at the Beginning of the Hike

Bridge on the Old Cedar Trail Crossing Fyke Brook

Fyke Brook from the Bridge

Yellow Daffodils in Bloom

Trail Intersection near the Top of Campgaw Mountain

Campgaw Mountain from the Ski Slope Summit, with Remaining Patches of Snow

Ski Life at Campgaw Mountain. Facing Northeast.

Another View of the Ski Lift and Snow Patches

Another View Facing Down the Ski Slope

Large Mound of Snow at the Campgaw Ski Summit

Ski Lift Chairs on Campgaw

View from the Snow Mound

Me on the Campagw Summit Snow Mound

Another View at the Snow Mound at the Ski Summit

Small Pond at the Inlet of Fyke Pond

Very Old Sign at Campgaw Describing the Area

Fyke Pond from the Dogwood Lane Trail

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Campgaw Mountain Snowstorm

Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Hemlock Trail: Pink blaze
Old Cedar Trail: Red blaze
Rocky Ridge Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 2.1 miles

Pros: Many trails in the area
Cons: View isn't great, especially in the snow
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Moderate (though difficult in snow)

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/qNCxCwJ6Hnv2mzj5A

Hiking Partner:
Shimon Rosenberg

Shimon Rosenberg and I have been talking for a long time to get out and hike together. It took the worst of weather conditions to get us out together hiking. Not the weather for the fainthearted, this hike took place in the midst of a Winter Storm Warning. The snow was intense with about six inches total. It had also snowed the week before, in the form of a giant, two footer Nor'easter.

We took the opportunity to hike at Campgaw, which features many short trails and loops, affording us an easy exit should the situation deteriorate. I came prepared with snow crampons and winter gear, which protected me during the heavy snowfall and very cold temperatures.

We parked at the large parking lot near Fyke Brook, taking the Hemlock Trail for a very short distance to the Old Cedar Trail for another very short distance, and then to the Rocky Ridge Trail, which we took up the mountain. We then took the Old Cedar Trail along the ridge to the summit atop the ski hill. We then took the Rocky Ridge Trail down the mountain, parallel to the ski and tubing slope. The ski hill and tubing hill were very busy despite the weather conditions.

We then walked along the ski area, bushwacking down the hill to the Fyke Pond. We then walked along the north side of the pond, at the dam, up the road and back to the parking lot.