Hedden County Park (Randolph, N.J.)

A component of the Morris County Park System, the 380-acre Hedden Park is best known for its developed recreational facilities, including a six-acre lake that offers fishing and boating. But it also features a network of over three miles of hiking trails. This hike follows the attractive Jackson Brook for over a mile, passes the interesting Indian Falls, and traverses remote portions of the park. The hike is not exceptionally difficult, but it involves a total elevation gain of over 400 feet, with several rather steep sections.

From the parking area, descend to the brook, where a triple-yellow blaze marks the start of the Jackson Brook Trail. Follow this attractive trail north along the cascading brook, descending very gradually.

In about half a mile, you’ll reach paved Indian Falls Road. Here, the trail turns right along the road and crosses a bridge over the brook. At the end of the guardrail beyond the bridge, follow the yellow blazes as they turn left and re-enter the woods, with the brook now on your left. The trail soon moves away from the brook and ends at a T-intersection with the white-blazed Hedden Circular Trail.

Turn left and follow the Hedden Circular Trail, which at first runs above the brook, then descends to the brook. You can see private homes on the opposite side of the brook, but this stretch of trail is very pleasant, with the cascading brook to your left. After passing a private footbridge across the brook, you’ll reach a junction with the red-blazed Mountain Trail, which leaves to the right. Continue ahead on the white trail.

In another 400 feet, you’ll reach a junction where the white trail bears right and begins to climb. Leave the white trail here and proceed straight ahead on the light-green-blazed Indian Falls Trail, which continues to run along the brook. In another 500 feet, you’ll notice a small waterfall to the left. This marks the beginning of Indian Falls – a series of minor waterfalls. The most fascinating section – where the brook divides into two falls, separated by a huge boulder – cannot be seen clearly from the trail, which descends rather steeply to reach the brook just beyond base of the falls. When you reach the bottom of the descent, you might want to walk back along the brook to get a better view of this attractive waterfall.

After exploring this fascinating feature, continue ahead on the green Indian Falls Trail, which continues to parallel the brook. You’ll notice a parking area on the opposite side of the brook. With a bridge over the brook visible ahead to your left, you’ll pass a triple-green blaze on a tree, marking the end of the Indian Falls Trail. Just ahead, turn right on the paved road, passing a playground on the left, bear right at the next fork, and continue along the paved road, which proceeds uphill.

Just before reaching a bridge over a stream, you’ll notice a sign on the right “To Hiking Trails.” Turn right and follow a blue-blazed trail that leads uphill to a junction with the white-blazed Hedden Circular Trail. Turn left onto the white trail, which heads uphill on a woods road. You’ll be following this trail for a little over a mile.

Soon, the white blazes turn left, leaving the woods road, and descend through the woods on a footpath. At the base of the descent, a blue-blazed trail proceeds ahead (it leads to another parking area), but you should bear right to continue along the white-blazed Hedden Circular Trail.
The white trail now begins a rather steep climb, ascending a vertical distance of 200 feet in the next 0.2 mile. On the way, you’ll cross the woods road that you previously followed. Upon reaching the crest of the ridge, the trail bears right and continues along the shoulder of the ridge, following a rocky treadway. This is the most difficult section of the trail, but it traverses a quiet, secluded area of the park.
After passing a circle of stones to the right, the trail descends to cross a stream on rocks. Once across the stream, the treadway becomes much smoother. The trail now again begins another steady climb. The green-blazed Indian Falls Trail leaves to the right, but you should continue ahead on the white-blazed Hedden Circular Trail.

Near the crest of the ridge, with a stone wall visible ahead, the trail bears right and reaches a dirt road at the end of the stone wall. Turn right onto the road, following the white blazes. Just beyond, the red-blazed Mountain Trail departs to the right, but you should continue along the white trail, passing a softball field to the left.

At a curve in the road, the white trail bears right, leaving the road, and begins to descend. Continue to follow the white blazes, which soon turn right onto a woods road, descending steadily.

In another 0.2 mile, you’ll reach a fork where the white trail bears right and the yellow-blazed Indian Falls Trail begins to the left. Turn left and follow the yellow trail back to the parking area on Randolph Avenue where the hike began.