Mine

Three Lakes Trail/Appalachian Trail Loop from Dennytown Road

John Allen Pond - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike leads to the remains of an old iron mine, passes an attractive lake, and follows the scenic Appalachian Trail along a forested ridge.

4 hours
Moderate
5 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Waterfall
Historic: 
Fahnestock State Park
Fahnestock State Park
NY
Putnam
103 East Hudson Trails Fahnestock
06/26/2003
01/17/2023
Driving: 

From the east end of the Bear Mountain Bridge, proceed north on N.Y. Route 9D for about 8.5 miles to a junction with N.Y. Route 301 in Cold Spring. Turn right and follow Route 301 for about five miles to Dennytown Road, then turn right and follow Dennytown Road south for 1.1 miles to a dirt parking area on the left side of the road.

Proceed to the northeast corner of the parking area (to the right of an old stone building) and follow the blue-blazed Three Lakes Trail, which enters the woods, crosses a stream on rocks, and bears right to parallel it. After passing a swamp on the right, the trail turns left and begins to climb rather steeply. Near the top of the hill, the trail passes an interesting split rock on the right. Just beyond, the trail curves to the left. Leave the trail here and continue straight ahead. You'll soon reach the remains of the Denny Mine. Split Rock On The Way to Denny Mine.</body></html>

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week

Monks Trail Circular

NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike passes by remnants of the abandoned Winston Iron Mine and climbs to a viewpoint over the Monksville Reservoir.

2 hours
Moderate
3 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Historic: 
Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Wyanokies
NJ
Passaic
115 North Jersey Trails East
02/11/2010
10/11/2019
Driving: 

Take Interstate Route 287 to Exit 57 and continue on Skyline Drive to its western end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood. Turn right and proceed for about four miles to Margaret King Avenue. Continue ahead along Greenwood Lake Turnpike for another 0.3 mile and turn left into the access road leading to the northern boat launch area for the Monksville Reservoir. The access road is just east of the Monksville Reservoir and directly opposite Beech Road. Continue along the access road for about 0.2 mile to the parking area.

At the southern end of the parking area, a yellow gate with a triple white blaze marks the start of the Monks Trail. You’ll be following this trail for the entire hike. Proceed ahead for 50 feet, then turn left, following the white-blazed trail into the woods (the trail to the right, also blazed white, will be your return route).

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week

Mine Trail/Roomy Mine Loop from the New Weis Center

Blue Mine - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike passes by two old iron mines, one of which extends about 60 feet into the hillside.

3 hours
Easy to Moderate
3 miles
Route type: 
Lollipop
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Waterfall
Historic: 
Norvin Green State Forest
Wyanokies
NJ
Passaic
115 North Jersey Trails East
09/23/2005
04/22/2018
Driving: 

Take Skyline Drive to its northwestern end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike (County Route 511). Turn left and proceed south for 1.6 miles to West Brook Road. Turn right onto West Brook Road, crossing the Wanaque Reservoir. At the next intersection, turn left, then take the second left onto Snake Den Road, following signs to the New Weis Center. In 0.3 mile, bear left at a fork, and continue for another 0.3 mile to a large dirt parking area on the right side of the road, just before the entrance to the New Weis Center.

This hike affords you the opportunity to enter the historic Roomy Mine (open from April 15 to September 15 only). Although the mine itself is high enough to permit you to stand, you’ll have to crawl a short distance to reach the entrance. Be sure to bring along a flashlight or headlamp!

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week
HOTW Date: 
Tue, 04/24/2018
HOTW Count: 
2

Iron Mines at Mount Hope

Along the Red Trail in Mount Hope Historical Park. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
Stone foundations at the Allen Mine - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
0
Summary: 

This loop hike, through pleasant second-growth woods, follows old woods roads past numerous mine openings of the abandoned Mount Hope Mines.

2 hours
Easy
3 miles
Route type: 
Lollipop
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Historic: 
Mount Hope Historical Park
Morris County
NJ
Morris
126 Jersey Highlands Trails-Central North
07/17/2003
06/03/2018
Driving: 

Take I-80 to Exit 35 (eastbound) or Exit 35B (westbound) and proceed north on Mount Hope Avenue. In 0.5 mile, turn left onto Richard Mine Road. Continue for 0.7 mile and turn right onto Coburn Road (which becomes Teabo Road). The park entrance is 0.7 mile ahead on the left.

Mount Hope Historical Park was once a booming iron mining and processing site. It forms a part of the original Mount Hope Tract, first developed by John Jacob Faesch in 1772. Three separate veins of ore – each of which runs in a southwesterly-to-northeasterly direction – were mined on the property. The property was divided into three ownerships, which operated the Teabo, Allen, and Richard mines, respectively. Mining operations ended in 1958, and the park was opened in 1997. Second-growth woodlands have reforested the areas that once were cleared for mining operations.

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week
HOTW Date: 
Thu, 06/14/2018
HOTW Count: 
1

Iron Mines Loop #2 (Southwest) in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks

Harriman State Park, Iron Mines Loop Trail. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
Harriman State Park, Iron Mines Loop, Black Rock Mountain. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
Harriman State Park, Iron Mines Loop, R-D Trail, Bald Rocks. Photo by Daniel Chazin.
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike climbs to viewpoints from the summit of Black Rock Mountain and passes the historic Hogencamp, Pine Swamp, Surebridge and Boston Mines.

6 hours
Moderate
9 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Historic: 
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
NY
Orange
119 Northern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails
06/19/2003
11/08/2015
Driving: 

Take N.Y. Route 17 north through Sloatsburg and Tuxedo. About 2.3 miles north of the Tuxedo railroad station, take the exit (on the left) for Route 17A. Turn right at the top of the ramp onto Kanawauke Road (formerly County Route 106) and continue for 2.2 miles to a Hikers' Trailhead Parking Area on the right, just beyond a sharp curve.

From the parking area, cross the road and bear left onto the White Bar Trail, blazed with white horizontal rectangles. The trail parallels the road for about 500 feet, then turns right, crosses a stream on a metal culvert, and continues on a woods road. A short distance beyond, it bears right at a fork (the road that goes off to the left will be your return route), crosses a stream on rocks, and continues along a grassy woods road. 

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week
HOTW Date: 
Fri, 10/28/2016
HOTW Count: 
2

Iron Mines Short Loop

Hiker at Cape Horn on the Long Path - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This hike in Harriman State Park passes interesting remnants of old iron mines.

3 hours
Easy to Moderate
4 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Historic: 
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
NY
Orange
119 Northern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails
05/07/2009
07/24/2020
Driving: 

Take N.J. Route 17 north to the New York State Thruway and take the first exit, Exit 15A (Sloatsburg). Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto N.Y. Route 17 north, and continue through the Village of Sloatsburg. Just past the village, turn right at the traffic light, following the sign for Seven Lakes Drive/Harriman State Park. Follow Seven Lakes Drive for about 8 miles to the parking area for Lake Skannatati, on the left side of the road. The turnoff to the parking area is 0.7 mile beyond the Kanawauke Circle.

From the kiosk at the northwest corner of the parking lot, bear left and follow the aqua blazes of the Long Path along the north shore of the lake on a rocky footpath through a mountain laurel thicket. In about 0.4 mile, the trail bends away from the lake and crosses Pine Swamp Brook on large rocks. After passing by a huge rock ledge on the right, the trail proceeds through dense thickets of mountain laurel and blueberry. It then climbs to a junction with the yellow-blazed Dunning Trail.

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week

Green Pond/Boston Mine Shorter Loop from Route 106

Boston Mine - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike passes the historic Boston Mine and pristine Green Pond.

2 hours
Easy
3 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Historic: 
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
NY
Orange
119 Northern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails
05/05/2011
07/17/2017
Driving: 

Take N.Y. Route 17 north through Sloatsburg and Tuxedo. About 2.3 miles north of the Tuxedo railroad station, take the exit (on the left) for Route 17A. Turn right at the top of the ramp onto Kanawauke Road (formerly County Route 106) and continue for 2.2 miles to a Hikers' Trailhead Parking Area on the right, just beyond a sharp curve.. (If coming from the north, the exit for Route 17A is on the right, about one mile south of the intersection with Orange Turnpike in Southfields.)

From the parking area, cross the road and bear left onto the White Bar Trail, blazed with white horizontal rectangles. The trail parallels the road for about 500 feet, then turns right, crosses a stream on a metal culvert, and continues on a woods road. A short distance beyond, it bears right at a fork, crosses a stream on rocks, and continues along a grassy woods road. 

Green Pond/Boston Mine Longer Loop from Elk Pen

Green Pond - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike goes through the interesting Valley of Boulders, passes pristine Green Pond, and reaches the historic Boston Mine.

4 hours
Moderate to Strenuous
5 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Public Transportation
Views
Historic: 
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
NY
Orange
119 Northern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails
12/17/2004
02/26/2023
Driving: 

Take N.J. Route 17 north to the New York State Thruway. Bear left at the fork (following I-87 towards "Albany") and take the first exit, Exit 15A (Sloatsburg). Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto N.Y. Route 17 north. Continue on Route 17 through the villages of Sloatsburg, Tuxedo and Southfields. About two miles north of Southfields, turn right onto Arden Valley Road. Cross the bridge over the New York State Thruway, then make the first right into a paved parking area to the west of a large meadow, known as the Elk Pen.

Bus: 

Take Short Line bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Buy tickets to Southfield, but ask the bus driver to let you off at Arden Valley Road in Arden next to a "Welcome to Harriman State Park" sign (several miles north of Southfields).  (For the return trip, the bus stops across the street - hail the bus down.)  After you get off the bus, make a right onto Arden Valley Road, walk across the bridge over the NY State Thruway, and make the first right  Continue through a paved parking area to the west of a large meadow, known as the Elk Pen

Broken fence once used to enclose elk in The Elk Pen. Photo by Daniel Chazin.

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week
HOTW Date: 
Thu, 07/09/2015
HOTW Count: 
2

Hawk Watch at Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area

View from the Hawk Watch - Photo credit: Jeremy Apgar
Hikers at the Hawk Watch - Photo by Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike in the Farny Highlands climbs to a panoramic viewpoint over the Rockaway Valley from the Hawk Watch and goes by an interesting beaver pond.

2 hours
Easy to Moderate
2 miles
Route type: 
Circuit
Allowed on leash
Historic feature
Views
Birding
Cliffs
Historic: 
Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Morris County
NJ
Morris
125 Jersey Highlands Trails-Central North
09/25/2003
11/09/2021
Driving: 

Take I-80 to Exit 37 (Hibernia/Rockaway) and bear left at the end of the ramp. Continue north on Green Pond Road (County Route 513) for 6.5 miles and turn right onto Upper Hibernia Road. (If coming from the north, you can take N.J. Route 23 to Green Pond Road, head south for 5.3 miles, and turn left onto Upper Hibernia Road.) In 2.5 miles, the paving ends. Continue ahead on the gravel road for another 0.2 mile to a large gravel parking area, with a kiosk for the Wildcat Mountain WMA on the left.

From the kiosk, continue ahead (southwest) for 100 feet on the gravel road, then turn left onto another gravel road and pass between two metal gateposts. You’re now following the route of the orange-blazed Hibernia Brook Trail. In another 100 feet (before reaching a locked gate), follow the orange-blazed trail as it turns right, leaving the gravel road, and enters the woods on a footpath. The trail proceeds through a deciduous forest with an understory of blueberry bushes. After a level stretch, the trail climbs to reach an exposed bedrock slab with glacial striations, and then descends.

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week

Coppermines Trail to Kittatinny Ridge

Lower mine - Coppermines Trail to Kittatinny Ridge - Photo: Daniel Chazin
Lower Yard's Creek Reservoir - Coppermines Trail to Kittatinny Ridge - Photo: Daniel Chazin
NYNJTC maintained: 
1
Summary: 

This loop hike passes an old copper mine, goes through a magnificent gorge, and climbs to the ridge of the Kittatinny Mountains, with several panoramic viewpoints.

5 hours
Moderate to Strenuous
8 miles
Route type: 
Lollipop
Allowed on leash
Views
Historic: 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Kittatinnies
NJ
Warren
121 Kittatinny Trails - South
07/31/2003
06/30/2011
Driving: 

Proceed west on I-80 to the Delaware Water Gap and take Exit 1 (Millbrook/Flatbrookville), the last exit in New Jersey. Bear right at the bottom of the ramp and head north along the Delaware River on Old Mine Road. The road is only one lane wide for about half a mile, and a traffic light has been installed to regulate the two-way traffic. Continue for 7.5 miles to the Copper Mine Parking Area, on the left side of the road (the parking area is 0.5 mile beyond milepost 7 on Old Mine Road). Park here and walk across the road to the trailhead.

From the trailhead, head into the woods on the red-blazed Coppermines Trail. Just past the trailhead, you’ll come to a fork. Bear left and follow a branch trail that parallels a cascading stream and leads in 750 feet to the sealed-off entrance of the lower mine – a relic of Dutch explorations for copper in the 1600s.

Reference/Source: 
Bergen Record: Hike of the Week
HOTW Date: 
Fri, 06/16/2017
HOTW Count: 
2