Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake, Hemlock Pond

Updated:
Waterfall cascading over rocks with green foliage surrounding it.

Start at NJ’s highest waterfall then hike steeply uphill to the Appalachian Trail, Crater Lake, and Hemlock Pond.

7.2 miles – Moderate trail surface; steep in the beginning (so again at the end). Walking stick or trekking poles are helpful if you have them. Rocky sections but also a lot of easy woods roads.

Our two cents:

Buttermilk Falls is mere steps away from a parking lot and requires no hiking to see it, so this means the area can get crowded.

A set of elaborate stairs can be climbed to get other views of the waterfall. The route below continues up past the falls to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond for an awesome day out.

Updated: 10/2023 – Minor edits; falls only, after heavy rain. Older change log at page bottom.


Optional add-on:

The unmarked Silver Spray Falls (Hidden Falls) trailhead is about .5 mile from Buttermilk Falls. Walk (or drive) north along Mountain Road where there is a nondescript pull off area with just enough room for 1 car.

Then it’s about a .25 mile hike from the trailhead to the falls. Cross the stream or you’ll miss it. Trying to locate Hidden Falls is part of the fun, and people sometimes don’t find them on the first attempt.

Related: Waterfalls in NJ


Buttermilk Falls after recent rainfall:

Map:

Kittatinny Trails map set is best. Note there are major changes around Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond introduced in the 2021 version and anything prior is out of date. The portion of this route that loops around Crater Lake was confusing in the past but these changes should have mitigated that.

Note: Google’s map data has the Appalachian Trail marked incorrectly in the area between Buttermilk Falls Trail and Crater Lake. It does not split in two, one of these trails is an unmarked trail.


Books:

A shorter alternate loop (6.4 miles) from Buttermilk Falls can be found in Hiking New Jersey (2023).

A long backpack on the Appalachian Trail that skirts near Crater Lake can be found in 50 Hikes in New Jersey. An excellent guide to all of the trails in the region is Kittatinny Trails.


Parking: N41.13702° W74.88917°

Buttermilk Falls Trail Parking, Mountain Road, Layton, NJ 07851. This is a park road and doesn’t have a street number.

From Rt. 206 N, go past Culver’s Lake. Left onto Struble Road. This becomes Dimon Road. Pass two parking areas on the left for Tillman Ravine.

At the intersection near Walpack Cemetery, turn left onto Mountain Road. Keep going on Mountain Road until you see a large dirt lot on the right with Buttermilk Falls on the left.

Buttermilk Falls parking area.

The dirt lot often fills to capacity. Mountain Road is a dirt road that has bumps and potholes – many are rather deep.

It’s is fine with a regular car if you take it slow – but if you tool around in a really sweet ride you may want to have someone else drive :) or park at either end and walk down the road to the falls.

Buttermilk Falls seen from the parking lot.

Alternate Parking:

Parking can be approached from the other direction: North on Rt 602 through Millbrook, R onto park road 615 Walpack Flatbrook Road, R on Haney’s Mill, and cross a bridge on to Mountain Road, the falls parking is on the left about a mile in – although we feel the 206 way is easier.

10/1/23 – This other approach is shown as closed on Google Maps. At the Buttermilk Falls parking lot there was sign was posted on the bridge that lead in that direction. Approach from Rt. 206 or check the park site for the current status.


Winter Parking/Road Closures:

Buttermilk Falls is accessed just across the road from the parking lot – except during the winter or other closures.

Many roads in the area are gated January 1 or at first significant snowfall and until mid-April so if there is a gate up you’ll need to walk down Mountain Road to access the falls.

For roughly a mile road walk, use the alternate directions above, park at the gate, and walk from there. You can also park on the other end at Walpack Cemetery but from there it’s almost a 2 mile walk down Mountain Road.


Restrooms:

None at the Falls parking. If you approach from Rt. 206, there are outhouses at the two Tillman Ravine parking lots on Mountain Rd.

If you approach from the other direction, there may be portable toilets at Millbrook, and restrooms when it’s open. During the hike there are two composting toilets in the parking lot at Crater Lake.


Buttermilk Falls after a recent heavy rain:

Buttermilk Falls with heavy flow after rain.

Hike Directions:

Overview: Buttermilk Falls (BLUE) – Appalachian Trail (WHITE) – Crater Lake (ORANGE) – Hemlock Crater Connector (ORANGE-GREEN) – Hemlock Pond (GREEN) – Woods Road (YELLOW) – Buttermilk Falls (BLUE)

The falls can dwindle to a trickle during dryer conditions:

Buttermilk Falls with a trickle of water cascading down the rock.

0.0 – After viewing the falls, climb the steep stairs for more views of the falls from the side and top.

Stairs alongside the falls.
Looking up steep wooden stairs.

At the top is a wooden platform hanging out a bit over the water. Looking down the falls from a viewing platform, and towards a bridge:

Looking down a heavily flowing waterfall.
Bridge at the top of the falls.

Continue across the wooden footbridge. From the bridge, looking back at the top viewing platform at the edge of the falls and the stream:

Viewing platform hanging over the top of a waterfall.
Rocky streambed at the top of Buttermilk Falls.

Follow BLUE (Buttermilk Falls). Immediately the trail is very steep (how steep it is really doesn’t translate well in photos).

Head steadily uphill with a few level sections.

Blue trail marker on a tree along a forested path.
Very rocky trail with a blue marker on a tree.

1.1  – Continue on Buttermilk Falls (BLUE), crossing an unmarked Woods Road.

/// Variation: Turn right and follow the woods road directly to Hemlock Pond. ///

Wide woods road covered with leaves and trees on either side.
Blue markers along a rocky trail.
Overgrown rocky trail.

Buttermilk Falls (BLUE) continues to head steeply up, over some rock slabs.

Steep rock slabs on a trail.

1.4 – Pause on the climb up and turn around for a limited view.

View of distant mountains through trees.

1.5  – Buttermilk Falls wooden sign. Turn RIGHT, now following the Appalachian Trail (WHITE). [Buttermilk Falls (BLUE) ends].

Buttermilk Falls sign at the junction with the Appalachian Trail.

Shortly, the Appalachian Trail will turn right away from the old woods road it was following, then soon turns left.

2.4  – Sign for Hemlock Pond. Turn LEFT to continue following Appalachian Trail (WHITE).

White and Orange blazes on a tree next to gravel path.

Note: There have been major trail color changes from here, around Crater Lake, till past Hemlock Pond. The 2016 and earlier versions of Kittatinny Trails are out of date for these areas.

Shortly, follow Appalachian Trail (WHITE) to the RIGHT, where it is co-joined with Crater Lake (ORANGE). [Crater Lake (ORANGE) also goes left].

2.7  – Follow Appalachian Trail (WHITE) as it bears RIGHT. [Crater Lake (ORANGE) continues straight and meets with the A.T. in a bit if you miss it.]

White blazes of the Appalachian Trail on a long rock slab.

Continue over a rock slab to a slightly limited view and a rock to sit on for a break.

View along the Appalachian Trail.

2.8  – Follow Appalachian Trail (WHITE) as it curves around and soon ends up back at a T-intersection with Crater Lake (ORANGE).

Turn RIGHT to now follow Crater Lake (ORANGE). [Appalachian Trail (WHITE) is straight ahead. There is also an orange marker near it.]

// Alternate: Continuing straight on Appalachian Trail (WHITE) is a short steep scramble down and will meet up with this route later, reducing the mileage a little. //

Continue following Crater Lake (ORANGE) on an easy woods road. It will loop around and gently go downhill.

Wide flat and grassy Crater Lake Trail.

3.2  – Continue straight on Crater Lake (ORANGE) where the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) crosses it. [If you took the AT shortcut down, this is where you rejoin the route.]

Grass covered trail.

3.4 – Optional: Take the unmarked trail on the LEFT for a view over Crater Lake. This short trail leads to a small open area with a nice view over the lake. A few building remnants are scattered about.

Crater lake with fall foliage reflecting in the water.

3.5 – Optional: Take the unmarked trail on the RIGHT for a view over Lake Success and a beaver lodge. This has a good view of the lodge but there’s another in a few steps that is more open if you want to take a break.

Beaver lodge on Lake Success.

3.7  – Crater Lake Parking lot. At the edge of the lake are some rocky outcrops to sit on. Map kiosks and toilets are in the lot.

Large rocks at the edge of Crater Lake.
Crater Lake with a red kayak at waters edge.

To continue following Crater Lake (ORANGE), look for the woods road beyond a metal barricade in the parking lot. [The informal path near the lake is not the trail.]

Crater Lake parking area.
Woods road with power lines.

A power line is visible along the woods road.

3.9  – At the end of the lake, Crater Lake (ORANGE) bears LEFT. [A woods road goes right and leads to the “Mount Paradise” area marked on the map.]

4.0  – Follow Crater Lake (ORANGE) as it turns RIGHT. [A woods road continues straight as well.]

In just a bit, it turns LEFT. Then turn RIGHT to now follow the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) again, briefly. [Crater Lake (ORANGE) and Appalachian Trail (WHITE) also continue straight].

4.1  – At the sign for Hemlock Pond, continue straight to now follow Hemlock Crater Connector (ORANGE-GREEN). Trail descends on a rocky footpath.

Hemlock Falls wooden sign.

4.4  – Continue following Hemlock Crater Connector (ORANGE-GREEN) as the trail jogs to the RIGHT and then a quick LEFT when crossing an unmarked trail.

At a T-junction with Hemlock Pond (GREEN), Hemlock Pond will be visible ahead. Continue ahead on the ORANGE trail, thought the blaze may be hard to spot.

Hemlock Pond visible through trees.

Continue to the waters edge, where there is a spot to sit and get a view of the pond.

Trees reflected in the calm water of Hemlock Pond.
Hemlock Pond with pink mountain laurel on the left.

Backtrack to the junction and turn RIGHT to now follow Hemlock Pond (GREEN), an easy woods road around Hemlock Pond. The pond is somewhat visible through the trees on the right.

Pass Blue Mtn Lakes Outer Loop (BLUE) on the left (this leads to Blue Mountain Lakes area). There may be BLUE blazes co-joined with this section of trail. Continue following Hemlock Pond (GREEN).

Hemlock Pond Trail on a woods road.

4.9  – At the end of the Pond turn RIGHT. [Blue Mtn Lakes Outer Loop (BLUE) leaves left and leads to Blue Mountain Lakes.]

A large rock outcrop makes a good break spot with nice views of Hemlock Pond. 

Hemlock Pond with a flat rocky area.
Green trees reflected in Hemlock Pond.

5.0  – Continue following Hemlock Pond (GREEN) along the pond edge and then follow it LEFT down a faint trail.

5.1  – Continue straight, now following Woods Road (YELLOW) – this is actually called “Woods Road” on the map as opposed to the other unnamed woods roads and is now blazed yellow (was unmarked before).

[Hemlock Pond (GREEN) leaves to the right and circles around the other side of Hemlock Pond.]

Wide woods road covered with leaves.

5.3  – Continue on Woods Road (YELLOW), passing a swampy area on the right.

Swampy area with green vegetation.

Soon after is a stream crossing. Rocks and logs formed into a bridge makes it an easy crossing.

(This used to be harder, especially if the water was high. It could become that again if the makeshift bridge ever washes away.)

Stream crossing with rocks.

Continue on Woods Road (YELLOW).

6.2  – Turn LEFT and again follow Buttermilk Falls (BLUE). Retrace the route steeply downhill back to Buttermilk Falls.

Steep downhill rocky trail.


Hiked: 10/1/23. Falls only; with Silver Spray; Stony Lake and Falls
Hiked: 10/8/22. Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond section only.
Hiked: 10/31/21. Falls only; with Tillman Ravine and Van Campens Glen.
Hiked: 6/22/19. Full route.
Hiked: 4/10/16. Silver Spray Falls and Buttermilk Falls only, for photos.
Hiked: 6/15/13. Trail Blog: “Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond Loop
Hiked: 10/4/09. Trail Blog: “Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake, Hemlock Pond… and a bear hiking the AT
Hiked: 4/10/06. Trail Blog: “Buttermilk Falls to AT to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond


Updated: 4/2023Minor edits, replaced some old photos; re-hiked Crater Lake + Hemlock Pond section only 10/2022. 11/2021 – Revisited falls only after repairs to the stairs and trail finished and Mountain Road and parking at base of falls was reopened after a long closure; full route not re-hiked. The parking lot had a large section of somewhat deep mud in the center [10/2023 now fine, removed note.]

5/2021 – Updated description and Interactive Map to reflect trail color changes around Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond; not re-hiked.

8/2020Page refreshed, not re-hiked. 7/2019 Re-hiked, description/online map updated, added photos and moved some older ones to their respective trail blog.  1/2018 – Added winter parking note. 4/2016Minor description changes; only hiked to falls for photos. 6/2013 – Trail description and GPS coordinates revised, more photos and a video of the falls added.

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