Lots-n-lots of views… but also lots of up-n-down on this route. We hadn’t done Wyanokie High Point in about two years so we headed back to Norvin Green (one of the most rugged parks in NJ, and one of our faves) on a really nice early Fall day.

Chikahoki Falls was gushing from the recent rain, but so were the trails… a few were so wet the water was actually running in them like a stream.

The foliage wasn’t really turning much yet, but the NYC skyline was visible from the viewpoints. Say what you want about New Jersey… but you have to admit that being able to hike up a mountain in the middle of a forest and have a view of the Manhattan skyline is pretty darn cool. Read more…

NJ Hiking Norvin Green Challenging, NYC View, Scrambling, Viewpoint, Waterfall

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

The views just didn’t stop on this hike… Hewitt-Butler trail follows along the ridge so there are views almost the whole way. Gorgeous.

There are 360 degree views from Osio Rock (too hot-n-hazy to see NYC today), and we assume most people turn around here. We had intended to as well, and go back to Otter Hole to add in a loop from the main part of Norvin, but changed our mind and decided that since the trail goes off the map edge with the notation “To Camp Vacamas, 1 Mile”…. we needed to see where that took us. Read more…

NJ Hiking Norvin Green Blueberries, Moderate, North NJ, Viewpoint

Complete hike details, photos, and video on our Lake Sonoma page.

8.1 challenging miles and 70 degrees, sunny and perfect… such a nice change after this crazy winter. We hiked in the northern section of Norvin Green State Forest, located to the southwest of Monksville Reservoir in West Milford. There are two newer (2008-ish I believe) trails there we wanted to check out, Lake Sonoma and Overlook.

This isn’t a really long hike but with a decent amount of rugged up/down, several stream crossings, we’d rate it on the low end of “challenging”. The new trails were very pleasant, with some really nice vistas. You may want to save this one until the trees are green, or even better, for fall foliage.

MAP: You’ll want the NYNJTC map, don’t think there is a map online. If you have the map earlier than the 2009, Sonoma/Overlook and the parking are not on there.

Getting there: Rt 287 to exit 55, north on 511, after you pass the Reservoir and then Long Pond, turn left onto Burnt Meadow Rd which turns to dirt in a bit.

Note: There are two parking areas on Burnt Meadow but note on the map the road is marked as “impassable” if you approaching from the south… which is exactly how Google or your GPS is going to send you. We didn’t check out that way, but when coming off the trail, we noticed a large deep puddle across the road down that direction that we wouldn’t have gotten our car through. Read more…

NJ Hiking Norvin Green Challenging, North NJ, Viewpoint

For detailed hike directions, maps, photos and GPS coordinates, visit our Challenging Hikes in NJ – Stonetown Circular page. Includes shorter hike options too.

10 miles; challenging. This is one of the more challenging loops in NJ – climb and descend Windbeam, Bear, Board and Harrison mountains. The first half of this hike is almost constant up or down, with some scrambling sections. Bring plenty of water and lots of snacks!

But ohhhhh the views you get for your effort – the Wanaque Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, NYC skyline and the surrounding mountains. You really earn your celebratory after-hike meal with this one. (mmm French Fries…)

Read more…

NJ Hiking Norvin Green Challenging, Passaic, Scrambling

(For detailed hike directions, maps, photos and GPS coordinates, visit our Best Hikes in NJ – Norvin Green page)

7.7 miles roundtrip, moderate with a few decent elevation changes. There is an extensive trail system here, and its easy to create other shorter or longer loops. This hike hits some of the highlights of the park: High Point, Chik Falls and Otter Hole.

GREEN (Otter Hole) – BLUE (Hewitt Butler) – RED – WHITE (Lower) – WHITE (Posts Brook) – BLUE – GREEN.  Note: blaze colors are used multiple times for trails in this park. For example, a WHITE blaze marks both the “Lower” and “Post Brook” trails.

Location: Bloomingdale, Passaic County.

Parking: Rt 287 to exit 55, take 511 N (Wanaque), continue through Wanaque for several miles. Make a left onto West Brook Rd. Continue across Reservoir. At the T-intersection, make a left. Make the 2nd left, which is Snake Den Road. There is a sign for the park on the right side of the road. Continue uphill and bear left on Snake Den, past some houses until you get to the lot on the right hand side.

Restrooms: at Weis Ecology Center: from the lot follow the road/path around and then to the right to a building. Entrance is located outside, on the right side and down to the basement.

NJ Hiking Norvin Green