Hike of the Week 08/10/04

WHERE: Ramapo Mountain State Forest and Camp Glen Gray

FEATURES: This loop hike traverses several historic Scout trails, climbs to panoramic viewpoints, and follows a picturesque stream.

LENGTH: 8.2 miles.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate.

TIME: About five hours

MAP: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference North Jersey Trails Map #22. (Note: Most of the trails described in this hike are not shown on this map.)

DOGS: Not permitted on the property of Camp Glen Gray.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take Interstate Route 287 to Exit 57 (Skyline Drive) and proceed north on Skyline Drive for a little over a mile to the upper parking area for Ramapo Mountain State Forest on the left side of the road at milepost 1.4, opposite the entrance to Camp Tamarack.

DESCRIPTION: From the parking area, cross Skyline Drive. You will see a triple orange blaze on a tree, marking the start of the Schuber Trail. Turn right onto the gravel road that leads into Camp Tamarack, then immediately turn left and follow the orange blazes downhill on a winding footpath. At the base of the descent, turn right at a T-intersection, then bear left, skirting the ruins of the former rifle range of the camp. The Schuber Trail now crosses a stream on cinder blocks, climbs over a knoll and descends to cross a second stream.

            About half an hour into the hike, you’ll reach a junction with the white-blazed Millstone Trail. (Just ahead, a tree branch extends at eye-level over the trail.) Turn right onto the Millstone Trail, which climbs to Rocky Slide Gulch (marked by a sign) where it turns right, then curves left and continues to climb. After a relatively level section, it passes to the left of a huge boulder designated as “Sitting Hen Rock,” then bears right and resumes its ascent. Just beyond the crest of the hill, the trail reaches the Southwest Lookout.

            From the lookout, the Millstone Trail bears left, descends slightly, then climbs to reach a balanced rock in an open area. Again, the trail bears left and descends.  Soon, the Yellow Trail joins from the right. Just beyond, a sign on the left points to several abandoned millstones in various stages of completion. This area was once the site of a millstone quarry, and the stones that you see were either damaged during quarrying or abandoned when the quarry operation shut down.

            The yellow and white trails continue to descend on a woods road. On the way down, the trails pass a millstone in nearly perfect condition 25 feet to the right. At a T-intersection, the trails turn left near an old stone wall.

             Continuing to descend, the trails cross paved Midvale Mountain Road. They bear left and head west, parallel to Fox Brook, then turn right to cross two branches of the brook – the first on rocks, and the second on a wooden bridge. The trails now begin to climb, reaching a junction in a level area. Here, the Millstone Trail leaves to the left, but you should turn right, staying on the Yellow Trail. The trail briefly follows an old woods road, then turns left, passing a huge, flat-sided boulder and then heading north, climbing steadily through a wooded valley.

            After reaching the crest of the rise, the trail descends briefly and continues along a level woods road. It crosses a stream on rocks and, just beyond, passes the stone foundations of some old Scout buildings. Just ahead, it turns right onto a wide woods road (briefly joining the route of the Yellow-Silver Trail). In 100 feet, it reaches the rusted frame of an old fire tower. Follow the Yellow Trail as it turns left and begins to ascend, soon passing a stone foundation on a rock ledge.

            At the high point of the ridge (996 feet), the orange-blazed Schuber Trail comes in from the left. Here, from a rock outcrop to the right of the trail, is an expansive viewpoint over northern Bergen County. On a clear day, you can see the Manhattan skyline on the horizon to the right. This is a good place to stop and take a break.

            When you’re ready to continue, turn right and head north along the ridge on the joint orange and yellow trails, which begin a steady descent. Soon, you’ll notice three green-tulip-tree-leaf-on-white blazes on a stump to the left of the trail. They mark the start of the Old Guard Trail. Turn left and follow these unique blazes, which first traverse a level area and then begin a steady descent. This trail – recently reblazed by volunteers of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference – follows the route of several historic Scout trails. It is little used, and the treadway is not always obvious, but the blazing is clear, and the trail is easily followed.

            After crossing a small stream, the trail begins a steady ascent. It crosses the route of a gas pipeline and descends, first steeply, then more gradually. Then, after a short climb, you’ll cross the Cannonball Trail, a woods road marked by white-C-on-red blazes. The Old Guard Trail continues to climb, rather steeply in places. Reaching the crest of the ridge, it descends slightly and crosses the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Memorial Trail. In another 0.2 mile, it reaches a junction with the red-blazed Ringwood-Ramapo Trail. Turn left and follow the joint Old Guard and Ringwood-Ramapo Trails, with views through the trees to the right.

            The two trails run jointly for about 500 feet. Follow the Old Guard Trail as it bears left, leaving the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail. In another 300 feet, you’ll reach a west-facing viewpoint from a rock ledge to the right of the trail. The Erskine Lakes are below, with the Wanaque Reservoir and the dam of the Monksville Reservoir in the background. This is a good place for another break.

            After a short climb, you’ll recross the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Memorial Trail. The Old Guard Trail now climbs over a knoll and then descends steadily to again reach the Cannonball Trail. The Old Guard Trail turns left and follows the Cannonball Trail for 200 feet, then turns right onto a woods road, soon recrossing the gas pipeline. Just beyond, follow the Old Guard Trail as it bears right, leaving the woods road, and continues on a footpath, soon passing through thick stands of mountain laurel.

            After joining the orange-blazed Schuber Trail, which comes in from the left, the Old Guard Trail begins to parallel the scenic North Brook. Just past the Tindall Cabin of Camp Glen Gray, you’ll reach a footbridge over the brook. Turn right, crossing the footbridge. You now are following the orange-blazed Schuber Trail.

            Continue along the Schuber Trail as it skirts the archery and rifle ranges of the camp, and follows a camp road past several campsites and cabins. After descending to Lake Vreeland and passing the Mother’s Pavilion, follow the orange blazes and turn right at a sign “Explorer and Pioneer.” You’ll briefly join the white-blazed Millstone Trail, which soon leaves to the right. After a steady climb, you’ll come to a second junction where the Millstone Trail crosses.  Continue ahead on the Schuber Trail, and retrace your steps back to the parking area on Skyline Drive.

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