Carris hill along Post brook

Highlights	This hike passes cascades and a waterfall and climbs Carris Hill, with a broad panorama to the east over the Wanaque Reservoir.
Details	Elapsed Time	3.5 hours
	Difficulty:	Moderate to Strenuous
	Distance:	4 miles round trip
	Features:	Views Waterfall
Location	Park:	Norvin Green State Forest
	Region:	Wyanokies Region
	State:	NJ
	County:	Passaic
	Location:	41.037620 N - 74.344857 W (482 Glenwild Ave, 07403)
Trail	Map	North Jersey Trails Map 115
	Condition	Well maintained trail
	HikeType	Loop
	Topo Map	Download National Geographic TOPO! Trail Overlay
	Topo Map 3D View	3D Tapo! Video
GPS		Date: Oct 24, 2010 12:09 pm Distance: 3.97 miles Elapsed Time: 3:43:12 Avg Speed: 1.1 mph Max Speed: 7.0 mph Avg Pace: 56' 18" per mile Min Altitude: 474 ft Max Altitude: 1,108 ft Start Time: 2010-10-24T16:09:57Z Start Location: Latitude: 41.037620 N Longitude: 74.344857 W End Location: Latitude: 41.037659 N Longitude: 74.345197 W Footstep: 14200

Trailhead:

Take I-287 to Exit 53 (Bloomingdale) and turn left onto Hamburg Turnpike. Upon entering Bloomingdale, the name of the road changes to Main Street. In 1.3 miles (from Route 287) you will reach a fork in the road. Bear right, and in another 0.1 mile turn right (uphill) onto Glenwild Avenue (following the sign to West Milford). Continue ahead for 2.4 miles to a small parking turnout on the right, by a yellow gate and a kiosk.

Description.
You'll notice a triple yellow blaze, which marks the start of the Wyanokie Crest Trail. Proceed ahead on this trail, which briefly follows a fire road but almost immediately bears left and continues on a footpath. The trail climbs a little, crosses a woods road and a rocky area, then descends to Posts Brook. It crosses several branches of the brook on rocks (the crossing can be difficult if the water is high), then turns right onto a woods road, the route of the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail and the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail. In 100 feet, the Wyanokie Crest Trail leaves to the left, but you should continue ahead on the blue- and teal-diamond-blazed trail.

After passing through a wet area, the trail crosses a tributary stream. This crossing can also be difficult if the water is high, and you may wish to bear left (uphill) to find a better crossing. Just beyond, you'll reach a junction with the white-blazed Posts Brook Trail. The Hewitt-Butler and Highlands Trails leave to the left, but continue ahead on the white trail, which closely parallels the cascading Posts Brook.

Soon, the trail reaches the top of Chikahoki Falls and descends to the brook, with a good view of the falls to the right. The trail closely parallels the brook for a short distance, then bears left and heads uphill, away from the brook.
In a quarter mile, you'll cross a seasonal stream, after which the trail bears right and once again heads towards Posts Brook. Just ahead on a tree is a sign which marks the start of the Lower Trail. Turn left and follow the Lower Trail, blazed with a black "L" on white, for a short distance to a junction with the yellow-blazed Carris Hill Trail. Here, you should turn left again, now following the yellow blazes.

After traversing a level, rocky area, the Carris Hill Trail crosses a seasonal stream and begins a rather steep climb. The grade soon moderates, but after a third of a mile, it again climbs steeply over rocks, reaching a viewpoint to the southeast from a rock outcrop to the right. The trail continues to climb to another rock outcrop, with a broader view. Here, it bears right and ascends to the left of a 40-foot-high massive rock face.

At the top, a short detour to the right leads to a magnificent east-facing viewpoint. The Wanaque Reservoir, contained by the Raymond, Wolf Den and Green Swamp dams, is in the foreground, with the Ramapo Mountains beyond, and a long viaduct of I-287 visible to the right. On a clear day, the New York City skyline may be seen on the horizon. This is a good place to pause and enjoy the spectacular view.

The yellow trail now climbs more gradually, soon reaching another viewpoint (partially blocked by trees), with a six-foot-high balanced glacial erratic silhouetted against the sky. The trail curves right and traverses open rock ledges with views to the south. After going through dense mountain laurel thickets, it reaches a fifth viewpoint -- this one to the southwest -- with pitch pines and a large glacial erratic. The trail continues on a level footpath through laurel and blueberry bushes and climbs slightly to end, on a rock outcrop with views to the north and west, at a junction with the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail and the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail.

Turn left here, and follow the joint Hewitt-Butler/Highlands Trail to the southeast. After reaching another large rock outcrop, the trail begins a steady descent, eventually leveling off on a woods road. It bears right, leaving the road, and soon reaches a junction with the white-blazed Posts Brook Trail, which you encountered earlier in the hike. Turn right and follow the blue and teal diamond blazes westward, now retracing your route. When you reach the junction with the yellow-blazed Wyanokie Crest Trail, turn left, recross Posts Brook, and continue to the trailhead where the hike began.

Bear Fort Hike

Highlights: Rock Scrambles, Hemlock Forest, Streams, Views, Swamps, Secluded Lake

Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Condition: Well maintained trail HikeType: Loop

Best Seasons: Year-Round

Date :Sep 26, 2010 10:34 am

Distance :7.80 miles

Elapsed Time: 5:28:47

Avg. Speed: 1.4 mph

Max. Speed :7.0 mph

Avg. Pace :42' 08" per mile Footstep: 19995

Trailhead: From town of Warwick take route 17A east to town of Greenwood Lake.

Then follow signs for 210. Take rt 210 until you cross over NY/NJ state line.

Parking is on right. Next to "Welcome to West Milford sign.

(Lat:41.18574 Lon:-74.33132)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stairway to Heaven A.T.

Getting there.

Getting to Stairway to Heaven is relatively simple, finding the correct parking spot can be rather difficult, though. Take Route 23 West from I-287. Once you get a right-turn sign for the Hidden Valley Ski Area (Rt. 515), take it. Drive an additional 2.5 miles after the road merges with Route 94. Just before you get to a large farming complex to your left, there is a small parking lot on you right, hidden among some bushes. This parking lot offers space for five or six cars, but I have seen cars parking on the side of the road (a relatively open grassy area) as well.

The hike.

Start walking away from the road. From the beginning, follow the Appalachian Trail white markers. The first part of the hike leads through a wide field, slowly approaching the ridge. The sight is impressive, especially after you realize that you will climb the ridge in front of you. On a sunny autumn day, the whole ridge is very colorful, slightly decreasing the rough feeling you'd get otherwise. Don't let the colors fool you - the hike will be difficult.

I don't envy the builders of this wall for climbing the ridge every day.

The false impression you get will only be enhanced when you enter the forest. The trail slopes down gently, among tall trees and virtually no undergrowth. This park-like environment abruptly ends by a huge outcropping of rocks, and the trail turns sharp right. In this area, the markers are sometimes hidden behind rocks and trees, but the trail is relatively well visible, as it starts traversing up the ridge.

The first half of the traverse is relatively gentle. You will gradually climb up, with the slope to your left side. Later on, however, as the trail slowly turns left, it starts to climb more rapidly. You will come to a relatively empty area, with lots of tall trees but little undergrowth and only a few rocks. In this section, the usually well-defined trail loses this quality, and you'll have to follow the markers more closely.

After a lengthy and relatively steep climb, the trail turns right and levels up. Soon, you will come to a rock wall. The trail traverses up this rock wall, and once it reaches the top, it levels up. After another right turn, you may notice a blue-marked trail leaving the main trail to the left. This leads to a small stone ridge, with quite an impressive view. The rocks form a sort of a balcony, which is often visited by families and less-experienced hikers, who don't feel like climbing any higher. You can stop here and enjoy the view, before you go on with your climb.

Don't worry; the rest of the climb is relatively short and uneventful. As soon as you leave the blue trail, the area opens into a small valley, and the Appalachian Trail turns right. Watch out for the markers in this area; some hikers tend to go straight. You will know that you reached the top of your hike once you see a small mailbox. In there, you can find a guest book. You can sign it if you want. Here, you will leave the Appalachian Trail and turn right, onto a blue-marked trail.

The Blue trail will lead you along the top of the ridge to the south. After a series of gentle ups and downs, the trail turns slightly left and descends into a valley. Here, the trail crosses an old stone wall and turns sharply right. Once again, watch for the markers, as the turn is not properly indicated. This section has its own magic. The trail leads you between the stone wall on your right and a swamp to your left. Tall trees, clear of any undergrowth grow here, while leaves cover the ground. I am not into tree-hugging, but if I ever started, it would be here.

Looking straight down from the ridge.

The trail soon starts a relatively steep climb, which can be difficult when it's wet. Once on the top of the rocks, the trail turns right, following the ridge. To your right, you can spy out views of the surrounding area, while to your left the ridge falls steeply down into a small valley with the swamp. After 10 to 15 minutes, you will come to a large grassy area to your right. Climb down from the rocks (a small rocky wall, about five feet high) and walk across the grassy area. At the end, you will come to a large flat rocky overhang. Sit down and enjoy the best view of the northwestern New Jersey you will ever get.

On a clear day, you can see as far as the High Point Monument on the horizon, right in front of you. The mountain range in front of you is the Kittatinnies, reaching almost as far as the Delaware Water Gap (which you can still spy out with a telescope to your left). To your right, you'll see southern New York state, with the 4000+ feet tall Catskill Mountains. This spot is a favorite picnic spot for people, so you may want to come here in late fall if you want to be alone.

Date: Sep 19, 2010 9:16 am
Distance: 4.58 miles
Elapsed Time: 4:43:26
Avg. Speed: 1.0 mph
Max. Speed: 6.3 mph
Avg. Pace 61' 57" per mile

MAP DATA link

Wawayanda Jungle, Wawayanda SP NJ 08-29-2010

Note: We hiked with a bunch of good friends, many we met there, others we knew for a long time.We had an awesome time and we ended the hike with a swim at a lake.

Summary: The fall Foliage is near peak. Wawayanda SP sits on top of the Wawayanda plateau. Wawayanda is the Indian word for Winding, Winding Water. The Terrain in the park is mainly rolling with some cliffs in areas. Most of the hike goes through the Wawayanda Natural area. The forest in the area is a transition forest off southern and Northern species. The Northern species are Beach, Yellow Birch and Hemlock trees with an understory of Rhododendrons. The Rhododendrons are so thick you cant even step off the trail and they form dark tunnels. This is the reason Wawyanda is called a Jungle. Eventually you go through a large Rare White Atlantic Cedar Swamp. This is a species found along the shore region, not common in the higher elevations. Throughout the hike you will pass three lakes. Laurel pond, Lake Lookout and Wawayanda Lake. The park is also a great place for Cross Country Skiing and snowshoeing.

Highlights:
Rhododendron Tunnels, Rare White Atlantic Cedar Swamp, Natural Area
Near: Highland Lakes, NJ
Distance: 7.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 437 ft
Hike Time: 5.0 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
HikeType: Loop

Wawayanda Jungle (WAWAYANDA STATE PARK)

Highlights: Rhododendron Tunnels, Rare White Atlantic Cedar Swamp, Natural Area
Near: Highland Lakes, NJ
Distance: 7.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 437 ft
Hike Time: 4.0 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
HikeType: Loop
Hike by: Shawn Viggiano

Fees: Entrance fees are charged per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. $10.00

Summary: The fall Foliage is near peak. Wawayanda SP sits on top of the Wawayanda plateau. Wawayanda is the Indian word for Winding, Winding Water. The Terrain in the park is mainly rolling with some cliffs in areas. Most of the hike goes through the Wawayanda Natural area. The forest in the area is a transition forest off southern and Northern species. The Northern species are Beach, Yellow Birch and Hemlock trees with an understory of Rhododendrons. The Rhododendrons are so thick you cant even step off the trail and they form dark tunnels. This is the reason Wawyanda is called a Jungle. Eventually you go through a large Rare White Atlantic Cedar Swamp. This is a species found along the shore region, not common in the higher elevations. Throughout the hike you will pass three lakes. Laurel pond, Lake Lookout and Wawayanda Lake. The park is also a great place for Cross Country Skiing and snowshoeing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wawayanda_State_Park

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/wawayanda.html

Trail Guides for Wawayanda Jungle, Wawayanda SP NJ:
North Jersey Trails map
by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ trail conference)

HIKING IN RAMAPO !! Stonetown Circular

We are back to the trails after a long year ! .
Happy to be able to share our hikes again.

We are starting discovering new trails and great adventures , with some hiker friends this time , we will update the blog as often as it is possible ,with new HD pictures as well as videos .

We will also add GPS data and maps.
The picture on the left is an unfinished hike one for us , we left to late for the hike and there was no way to finish it before sunset.



There was not other choice than returning and leave it for other day.