For our annual New Years Day hike we ended up at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Many people had the same idea, whether it was to take advantage of the unusually mild (low-50s) winter day or maybe getting an early start on a New Years resolution to exercise more.

We chose Mahlon because we wanted a moderate loop that we’d mostly done before so we didn’t have to think too hard after having our annual ‘wine-n-cheesies’ the night before. Mahlon’s trails are very scenic, plus there is Headley overlook and another viewpoint. (Both viewpoints are a little drab this time of year however)

We planned on parking at the Saffin Dam lot. While I knew that there was a Highlands Trail re-route on the one side of the dam, I didn’t know the entire Saffin Pond parking lot was roped-off and closed (and porta-john removed). There were several cars parked along the road but we decided to head further down the road to another parking lot and start our route from there.

Saffin Pond is really pretty, but if you are heading just to the park just to see it – hold off. It’s not-so-scenic while they are working on the dam. The water is very low, and there is construction equipment at the dam. The trails in the park are fine and worth hiking though!

>>>For more info, trail maps, and other hikes in Mahlon, check out Headley Overlook or the Beaver Brook Trail. Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Lake, Morris, Viewpoint

Hike details found on the Jockey Hollow page. 

We ended up at Morristown National Park for Veteran’s Day Weekend, hiking Jockey Hollow and a bit into the adjacent Lewis Morris Park. It had been over two years since we’d done the Grand Loop and Mt Kemble Loop trails.

As soon as we drove into the park, it was apparent that Snowtober had taken it’s toll with many toppled trees, trees snapped in half, and many downed branches. Of course it was more of the same on the trails themselves.

Even though all the trails had been cleared, we passed so many blowdowns… many still with full fall foliage on them. Foliage was well past it’s prime at the park and the trail was covered with a thick carpet of leaves, but there still was the occasional tree in full on yellow or golds.

We had decided to just go for a hike and not lug around the SLR or the video camera for a change, figuring that the park would be on the brown side… and it was. This is a beautiful park regardless, but there aren’t many overlooks and w/o green or fall foliage, there wasn’t enough for us to warrant hauling the gear. Sometimes you just want to hike. Read more…

NJ Hiking Jockey Hollow, Morris County Parks Central NJ, Historical, Moderate

On the trail map for Pyramid Mountain, there are two trails that head off the top of map that we’d been meaning to go check out.

This is a long route in the northern part of Pyramid Mountain Natural Area and around Butler Reservoir. The reservoir and Pyramid is really pretty, but a lot of this route is just so-so. The trail runs near a LOT of houses (which would be less visible when the leaves are on the trees), and there is a lot more road walking than we like… you literally walk on several streets through a neighborhood.

Not sure how popular this trail is, so perhaps people are used to seeing hikers walk down their street with backpacks on… but it’s always weird to pop out of the woods and have to walk on a street. Also, as we came out of the woods, all the dogs in the neighborhood came rushing out to the edges of their yards, barking… if you are hiking with a dog that might feel uncomfortable with that – avoid this trail.

So… this isn’t a hike for a beginner or to put at the top of your “must-do” list, but maybe give it a shot. Though, honestly, we’re not sure we’d do this route more than once. Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Challenging

For full hike details, see our Best Hikes in NJ: Black River – Cooper Mill page.

This Halloween we ended up hiking along the Black River, starting at the Cooper Mill lot in Chester. The foliage was still decent, but not as brilliant as we’d passed the week before on our way up to The Gap. We also wanted to hit this park on a Sunday, as they do allow hunting here.

We’ve hiked this beautiful area many times, but added in a spur we hadn’t done before. I’d noticed in “Hiking New Jersey” that a side trail lead to “Kay’s Summer Cottage Ruins, Grotto and Dam” – which sounded intriguing.

The trail is on the park map, but it’s short, a little unclear and makes no mention of what is there so we’d never bothered. The trail is in the Natural Area, which requires a free permit from the Mill or the Kay Center.

Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Moderate

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Turkey Mountain page.

Only had time for a short hike this weekend, so we headed to Turkey Mountain. This is located across the road from Pyramid Mountain in Boonton, NJ. Turkey Mountain has some nice hiking, but most people tend to head over to Pyramid for Tripod Rock and Bear Rock etc. Pyramid and Turkey offer easy access to decent hiking, and is also a great place for beginners.

5.4 miles, moderate, minimal elevation gain. 4 viewpoints: two obscured, one of a lake, and one of the NYC skyline (very faint in the day’s humid haze). Also pass the ruins of a house.

This is pretty much the longest loop you can put together on the Turkey Mountain side without duplicating trail sections. Easily make a longer day by combining this loop with one at Pyramid as well. Read more…

NJ Hiking Morris County Parks Moderate, Viewpoint