Monks Trail Circular

Long Pond Ironworks State Park

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

41.136827, -74.30618

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).

The trail continues along the hillside, parallel to the...

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Trip Reports

rate experience
August 08, 2023
3
Fine hike in the woods
This hike was fine for what it was. Terrain was good and trail well marked. We hiked the day after rain so it was packed with mosquitos. A few places where the trail was getting overgrown. Lots of poison ivy just off the path.
andyphil27
February 26, 2022
3
Start from the Northern Boat Launch (Not the Southern!)
My wife and I hiked and enjoyed this moderate loop in late September 2021. We made one big mistake, however: in my rush to get out of an apple-picker gridlock on the main road, we unknowingly started from the Southern Boat Launch. Although we proceeded in the clockwise direction, I could not figure out why the description seemed out of sync with our experience. I finally figured out the mistake when we arrived at the starting point at the Northern launch. No big deal, but I'm glad I got myself reoriented with a good laugh before falsely criticizing Daniel Chazin! We found the hike to be on the easier side of moderate, and it offered a variety of views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. We would normally seek a slightly longer loop more remote from fall season traffic, but this hike was great to fill a tight Sunday afternoon schedule.
glennagrube
June 06, 2014
0
easier, less steep going in the other direction
<p>The climb to the summit is easier and less steep if you start by taking the trail to the right and hiking the circular route in the other direction.</p>
SeeNoReason
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