<<<Hikes in NJ - Trails Less Taken
Four Birds Trail - Splitrock Reservoir
Farny State Park, Rockaway Township
Summary: An out-and-back section of the 19.4 mile long Four Birds Trail, along Split Rock Reservoir.
6.2 miles, on the harder side of moderate. Typical rugged Highlands terrain with multiple small elevation changes. Trail is marked but you need to keep an eye out for the blazes as they can be hard to spot.
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Longer - This is in the middle of a 19.4 trail so you can go farther in either direction.
Map: This area is now covered by the Jersey Highlands Trails
–Trail Map (on right side click "WCRmap.pdf" and print out reservoir section)
–Split Rock Reservoir only, on lettersize page (The reservoir portion combined from the detail pages below; from GoneHikin Blog)
You may also find these useful:
–Southern
End Detail Map
–Middle
Detail Map
–Overview
Map
Books: Detailed trail descriptions can be found in the New
Jersey Walk Book
(This hike ends at :55 seconds in the video below (the rest is from the Splitrock Reservoir Loop hike)
Parking: 287N to exit 43, at the end of the ramp turn left, then right onto Fanny Rd to Powerville, left on Valley, right on Rockaway Valley, stay left onto Split Rock and follow to Parking (road turns into gravel).If you are traveling from the north, the exit may be different, so you'll want to check directions from where you are. Only park in the lot, you will get ticketed if you park along the road.
Restrooms: Composting toilet in the parking lot.
Hike Directions: Entire trail is blazed WHITE.
0.0 - With your back to the lot, turn RIGHT and walk down the road, over the bridge. Nice views of the reservoir from here.
0.5 – Watch for the blazes, and Turn RIGHT onto Four Birds Trail (WHITE). Scramble up a hill immediately.
Not too far in, you cross a large area that is usually very wet (this is the first time we'd seen it low, due to the summer draught we'd been having). This area can be a little tricky to cross when the water is high, you may need to look around or go upstream a bit.
1.9 - Viewpoint over the reservoir, obscured by leaves.
3.1 - A piece of land jutting out into the water a bit, makes a wonderful break spot with great views of the reservoir. When you are ready, retrace your steps to the lot.
