Merrill Creek Reservoir Perimeter Hike

The 650-acre Merrill Creek Reservoir, owned by a consortium of power companies, is a pumped-storage facility, completed in 1988. It stores 16 billion gallons of water that can be released, during low-water periods, to the Delaware River to augment river water used by electric generating stations. Although the route of this hike - which encircles the reservoir -- is mostly level, portions of the treadway (especially towards the start of the hike) are rocky, so hikers should use care. You'll be following the black-blazed Perimeter Trail for most of the way, but also use the blue-blazed Shoreline Trail towards the beginning of the hike.

To begin the hike, walk to the rear of the visitor center, where a trail leads towards the reservoir. Follow this trail for a short distance to a fork, then bear left, following the blue markers of the Shoreline Trail. After passing through a wooded area, the trail begins to run along the shore of the reservoir. You'll notice many dead trees along the shore; these trees were flooded when the reservoir was filled with water in 1988.

Soon you'll reach a small beach to the left. Here, the trail turns right and begins to follow a woods road which heads away from the reservoir. At the next junction (marked, as are many junctions along the route, with a copy of the trail map on a post), take the left fork. You are now following both blue and black markers.

A short distance beyond, concrete steps on the right lead to the stone foundations of the former Cathers farmhouse. After crossing a wet area on a boardwalk, a short trail to the right leads to the ruins of a stone spring house. Then, on the left, the stone ruins of the barn and farm yard of the Cathers/Shafer farm may be seen.

Just beyond, a yellow-blazed trail comes in from the right, but you should continue ahead, following the blue and black blazes. Then, after passing the ruins of a lime kiln on the left, you'll reach another junction, at which you should take the left fork.

You'll now be following only blue blazes. After passing a side trail to the left that leads to a wildlife observation blind, you'll reach a viewpoint over the reservoir. Here, the trail turns right, shortcutting a peninsula that juts into the reservoir, then bears right again and follows a rocky footpath parallel to a narrow arm of the reservoir. You'll notice more drowned trees in the water.

After paralleling the reservoir for some distance, the blue trail turns uphill and ends at a T-junction. Turn left, now following orange and black markers. You'll soon pass a 1.0-mile marker (actually, you've gone about two miles by this point) and reach another trail junction. Here, you should turn left, following the sign for the Perimeter Trail, and cross Upper Merrill Creek on a wooden footbridge. You will be following the black-blazed Perimeter Trail for the remainder of the hike.

The trail now follows an attractive footpath along the northern shore of the arm of the reservoir, passing through a dense stand of fir trees and running along the shore in several spots. In another three-quarters of a mile, you'll come to the first of four dams that hold back the waters of the reservoir. Here, the trail turns left and crosses the crushed-rock dam, with paved Fox Farm Road just beyond. The dam affords a splendid view of the reservoir. Beyond the dam, follow a dirt road which curves to the right, with a panoramic view to the north over the Kittatinny Mountains and the Delaware Water Gap.

The trail now crosses a paved access road, then bears right and continues around a locked gate to cross another crushed-stone dam. The Inlet-Outlet Tower, which controls the flow of water between the Delaware River and the reservoir, is immediately to the left. Beyond the dam, the trail continues along a woods road through a forested area.

Soon after passing the 3.0-mile marker, you'll notice a wide path on the left. Turn left and follow this path downhill to a wooden observation deck along the shore of the reservoir. There are outstanding views of the reservoir from this tranquil spot, and you may wish to rest on the bench that is provided.

When you're ready to continue, return to the main trail and turn left. Almost immediately, you'll reach a T-intersection. Turn left, passing a bench which overlooks a narrow slice of the reservoir, then turn right and continue on a footpath which descends gradually. Soon, you'll pass through a forest of red pines.

After passing the 3.5-mile marker for the Perimeter Trail, you'll emerge onto a paved road. Turn left, go through a stile around a locked gate, and cross the main dam of the reservoir. (Do not follow a branch of the trail that leads right and descends below the dam.) The dam provides excellent views of the reservoir as well as a south-facing vista over the hills of Warren County. At the end of the dam, the trail continues along a wide gravel road. It passes through a beautiful meadow and then crosses the fourth and final dam.

Just beyond the end of the dam, you'll pass the 5.0-mile marker. Soon, you'll pass through another attractive meadow, this one dotted with cedar trees. A short distance beyond, you'll reach the boat launch and boat trailer parking area. Continue ahead through the parking area and climb wooden stairs to the right of a small frame building (used by the attendant). The Perimeter Trail now ascends on a footpath to its end at the main parking area where the hike began. At the very end of the trail, you'll notice a 5.5-mile marker, but this mileage does not include the extra mile on the blue-blazed Shoreline Trail that you followed at the beginning of the hike.