Description:

From the parking area, take the blue-blazed MacEvoy Trail, which leads uphill to the lake. For much of the way, it follows a brook with several cascades (most attractive in the spring or after a heavy rain). At the lake, turn left and cross the concrete roadway/spillway, then -- in another 100 feet -- turn left again, back into the woods, on the red-blazed Lookout Trail. After rising briefly, the red trail dips down to parallel a stream (the other side of the stream that you followed on the way up to the lake), then begins a steady climb for about a quarter of a mile. The trail levels off, passes a large rock ledge to the left, and begins to descend slightly, soon reaching a fork in the trail. The red blazes turn right, but you should continue straight ahead on an unmarked trail that leads in 350 feet to an expansive viewpoint which looks over Oakland and beyond to High Mountain. On a clear day, the New York City skyline can be seen in the distance. I-287 is visible to the left (unfortunately, the sounds of the traffic are quite audible, even at this distance).

After enjoying this rocky vista, backtrack to the fork in the Lookout Trail and bear left, now once again following the red markers. The red trail continues at about the same elevation, with several short but steep ups and downs, for two-thirds of a mile. Here, after a short climb, you will reach a junction with the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Trail. A few steps ahead along this trail is a viewpoint to the west through some pine trees. The Wyanokies stand out in sharp contrast against the horizon. Return to the junction and turn left on the joint Hoeferlin/ Lookout Trail, with both yellow and red blazes. You will soon reach a rock ledge with a limited view over Ramapo Lake. Then, after crossing a seasonal stream, the trail climbs to a rock outcrop with an expansive view of Ramapo Lake below. From here, the trail descends steadily and soon ends at the shore of the lake. The beginning of the Lookout Trail (where you started up the mountain) is a short distance to your right, and just beyond that is the blue-blazed MacEvoy Trail on which you came up to the lake. Cross the dam, turn right into the woods on the blue trail, and descend to your car.