<<<Hikes in NJ - Trails Less Taken

Mahlon Dickerson - Headley Overlook

Morris County

Summary: Hike to Headley Overlook with a view of Lake Hopatcong on the Highlands Trail , and then on Pine Swamp you pass the highest point in Morris County at 1395' before taking the easy Ogden Mine Railroad rail bed back.

7.5 miles. Easy-moderate trail surface… first half on the Highlands trail was more rugged than the 2nd half on the Pine Swamp trail. One very minor scramble on Highlands Trail. Ogden Mine Railroad is flat, level, cinder path. Extensive trail system allows for all sorts of loops.

• Shorter (5.0 mile) - Instead of continuing to the picnic area, turn left onto Yellow and take back to the pond [route is in "Hiking New Jersey" ]

• Shorter (3.8 mile) - just do the Pine Swamp Loop portion. This starts from the picnic parking lot further down Weldon Road. Good for a beginner hike, with options to bail and make it shorter along the way.

• Super Short - start from the picnic lot, cross the road and take the Highlands trail, follow the sign for Headley Overlook up a wide grassy path... not sure on the mileage but its like maybe 10-15 min.

• Longer - Extend your hike by adding the Yellow trail to Saffin Rock Hil, the Winona Trail loop or by taking in some of the Beaver Brook Trail (check the trail map to see where)

Map: There are two park maps on the Morris County site - be sure to use this updated color Mahlon Dickerson trail map one for the latest trails... it is even slightly more current than the Jersey Highlands Trails map set (but that's a good set to have anyway as it covers tons of trails in the area.)

Books: Detailed trail descriptions found in the New Jersey Walk Book. A 10.2 mile loop is found in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City. A 5.0 mile loop is described in "Hiking New Jersey". A 3.2 mile thru hike is in "Hiking the Jersey Highlands".

Update 1/1/2012: There is construction at the dam on Saffin Pond, which reroutes part of the Highlands trail. The water level for Saffin was low when we hiked it last on 1/1/12, and was not nearly as pretty as usual. The parking lot for Saffin may be blocked off and the porta-john gone. We saw cars parked along the shoulder so you may still be able to do this route starting from here.

Optonally, you could chose to park at the picnic lot and start the route in the middle. That lot is accessed from further down Weldon Rd. [N41 00.776 W74 33.833]

And you could always give the park to call and see if the Saffin Pond lot is open. The project started in April 2011 and is expected to run 10-12 months.

Mahlon Dickerson -
Headley Overlook

Parking: Detailed directions from the park site. This route starts from the lot near Saffin Pond. Rt 287 to Rt 80 W. Exit 34 to Rt 15 North. Right onto Weldon Road. Large parking area is on the right. (You will first pass a park sign and driveway that goes to another lot)

Restrooms: Porta-john in the parking lot. There is another porta and camp-style restrooms (composting toilet in a building) at the picnic parking area, just after the trail crosses the road.

Hike Directions: Overview: Highlands Connector Trail (Black on Teal Diamond) to Highlands (TEAL diamond/Highlands tag) to Pine Swamp Trail (White) to Boulder Trail (unmarked) to Ogden Mine Railroad (unmarked)

0.0 - The Highlands Connector trail (Black on Teal Diamond) starts near the porta-john. Walk in and get a view of Saffin Pond. Head around the left side of the pond over a rocky area. At the end of the pond, turn left and follow the Highlands Trail (Teal Diamond).

Shortly at a T, make a right and keep following the Highlands trail as it meanders along for awhile - it's well blazed. Cross a bridge, and then later pay attention to a left turn to continue on Highlands where it meets the WHITE trail.

2.2 - Cross the YELLOW trail in an open area. Continue straight on Highlands.

2.6 - arrive at Headley Overlook on your right, and there is a bench here. Lake Hopatcong is somewhat visible in the distance.

Continue following Highlands down a wide grassy path. The YELLOW trail comes in on your left but just keep following Highlands as it turns. Ignore the first trail branch off that goes to the road.

3.0 - Arrive at the picnic parking area. There is a trail kiosk with maps, a porta-john and also a building with composting toilets which could be just open seasonally (not sure). Walk straight through the picnic area (near the dumspter) and follow signs for Pine Swamp Trail which is blazed WHITE.

3.3 - actual start of the Pine Swamp Trail. Turn RIGHT. (the trail goes either way however, it's a loop)

There are a network of trails crossing in this area, some unmarked... but just keep following WHITE blazes.

Pass a trail on your RIGHT. A bit later, arrive at the highest point in Morris County - marked with a sign and there is a bench.

5.7 - turn RIGHT onto the Boulder Trail - this trail is not blazed so the trail is a little confusing. (If you want to double-check you are at the right place, turn left and walk a few steps - you will see signs for the other trails, and the Boulder Trail in the other direction.)

Keep following the unmarked Boulder Trail, and it will come to a T with another well worn but unmarked trail - turn LEFT. (At this point it may not seem like you are on the right trail because the trail map doesn't show another trail or a left turn).

6.5 - Turn LEFT onto Ogden Mine Railroad near a large swampy area. Take this back to the parking lot.