Description

From the parking area on Continental Road, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail as it heads south into the woods, crossing several stone walls. In about a third of a mile, the trail crosses a seasonal stream and climbs to cross under a power line, with an interesting outcrop of puddingstone conglomerate rock to the left.

The trail now climbs steeply to the crest of the ridge, then begins to descend, passing more puddingstone rock outcrops to the left. After crossing a stream, the outlet of a marsh to the right, the trail begins a gradual climb. It soon levels off, bears right at a double blaze (an unmarked path to the left leads to a clearing atop a large rock outcrop, with several cedars), then passes through an area with hemlocks and mountain laurel thickets.

About two miles from the start of the hike, you'll reach a junction where the blue-blazed Greenwood Lake Vista Trail starts to the left. This trail leads down to the Village of Greenwood Lake, but you should continue ahead on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. A short distance beyond, the trail emerges onto open conglomerate rock ledges on the east side of the ridge. Continue ahead, climbing slightly, until you reach an outcrop that offers a panoramic view over Greenwood Lake. This is a good place to stop and take a break.

The trail continues ahead, crossing more rock outcrops, with vegetation obstructing some of the views. After reaching the last in the series of these outcrops (this one with a good view), the trail bears right and begins a steep descent. At the base of the descent, it crosses a stream. The trail now climbs a little, then descends gradually through hemlocks and rhododendrons.

After crossing a seasonal stream, the trail follows a rock ledge and then descends through thick hemlocks and rhododendrons to reach a clearing next to Cascade Brook, which is crossed on rocks. It climbs to a rock outcrop (with no views), then descends, crossing several branches of a stream at the base.

The trail now begins to climb, with a huge rock cairn indicating the way. For the next mile or so, the trail traverses a series of rock outcrops, with many short but steep climbs and descents. This is a relatively difficult but quite spectacular section of trail, and it will probably take you about an hour to cover this distance. There are some views to the east over the hills of Sterling Forest but, for the most part, views of Greenwood Lake are blocked by the trees.

After a short stretch through the woods, the trail climbs to a massive rock outcrop, again marked with a huge cairn. This outcrop offers a 360-degree view, and it is a good place to stop and take a break. The trail descends from this outcrop and continues through the woods, traversing a number of smaller outcrops.

Finally, you'll climb to the top of a large rock outcrop that offers an expansive view to the southeast over Greenwood Lake. After pausing to contemplate this spectacular panorama, you'll begin a very steep descent, with a ladder making it possible to traverse a near-vertical rock slab.

After crossing a seasonal stream, the trail levels off. It crosses the wide Furnace Brook on rocks, with a cascade to the left, and continues on a nearly level footpath. After crossing another stream on rocks, the trail passes a wetland to the right and climbs gently along a rocky footpath that resembles a streambed. Rock outcrops soon appear on both sides of the trail, and the trail continues through a narrow valley.

Be alert for a double blaze which indicates that the trail turns right and starts to climb out of the valley. Near the top, the trail turns sharply left, but you should take a short detour to the right to reach the top of a rock outcrop with views to the east, north and west.

Return to the trail, which soon begins to run along a rock ledge, with a wetland below to the right. A short distance beyond, the blue-blazed Zig Zag Trail, which leads to Cascade Lake Park in the Town of Warwick, intersects on the right. You should continue straight ahead. The trail now climbs to Prospect Rock, an outstanding vantage point over Greenwood Lake, with the hills of Sterling Forest beyond.

From Prospect Rock, the trail descends on a grassy woods road, interrupted by various rock outcrops. After passing through a dense growth of pitch pines, the trail arrives at the New York-New Jersey state line, marked by initials painted on the bedrock. A trail register is on a tree on the left; please sign.

A short distance beyond, you'll reach a junction with the blue-blazed State Line Trail. Turn left, leaving the white-blazed Appalachian Trail and follow the State Line Trail as it heads east, crossing several minor ridges. In about half a mile, the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail begins to the left, but you continue ahead on the State Line Trail, which descends steadily on switchbacks to end at the parking area on Lakeside Road, where you left your car.