Tamarack Loop and Todd Hill Loop

Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Bergen Co.
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Tamarack Loop Trail: Purple blaze
Todd Loop Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic lakes and quiet area
Cons: Very limited parking, View isn't great
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Moderate 

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcHShpsgrpPbr4PQ7

It had rained in the morning and was still a bit wet, which allowed me to get parking in the upper parking on Skyline Drive. The parking was recently limited in the area to several designated spots, resulting in many people coming to this hike and not finding parking. I would really like to see the parks system add more parking to the area! 

Most people who park here go to Castle Rock and Ramapo Lake. I decided to go east and take the newly restructured the Tamarack Loop Trail which goes alongside Lake Tamarack, and then continued to Todd Lake. I then took the Todd Hill Loop Trail to the view overlooking Oakland, and then took the Tamarack Loop Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

No Parking Signs All Over the Place Limiting People from Enjoying the Area

Trail Map Kiosk

Flowering Mountain Laurels

Tamarack Lake

Glacial Erratic Rock at Tamarack Lake

Tamarack Lake

Chimney Ruins on the Trail

Todd Lake

Flowering Lily Pads

Todd Loop Trail

Todd Loop View

Whitetail Deer Licking its Nose

Todd Trail Lookout

Ramapo Mountain State Forest,
Bergen County,
New Jersey

Trails:
Todd Trail: White blaze
Yellow Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short hike
Points Of Interest: Viewpoint and tranquil pond

Hiking Partner:
Rachel Friedman

Ramapo Mountain State Forest,
Bergen County,
New Jersey

Trails:
Todd Trail: White blaze
Yellow Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short hike
Points Of Interest: Viewpoint and tranquil pond

Hiking Partner:
Rachel Friedman

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

This trail is in a busy hiking area in the Ramapo Mountains of New Jersey. Though the parking area was full being a nice Sunday, the trail was very quiet. I parked on Skyline Drive near the top of the mountain, and took the Todd Trail slightly down the mountain along to the viewpoint. This viewpoint overlooks Oakland and the suburban sprawl further east. From the lookout headed back and then veered off on the Yellow Trail to Todd Lake. Todd Lake is a small yet very tranquil pond in the woods. It is full of Lily Pads and had more tadpoles in it than I have every seen before. After stopping at the pond we turned around and went back to the Todd Trail and headed back to our car.

Map of the Route

Approaching the Lookout on the Todd Trail

Lookout on the Todd Trail. Facing East.

Todd Lake