Where: High Point State Park
Features: This loop hike ascends to several viewpoints, follows
the shore of scenic Lake Rutherford, and combines a walk on the rugged
Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with a stroll along the Iris Trail, which
follows a gentle woods road.
Length: 6.4 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Time: About four hours.
How to get there: Take N.J. Route 23 to High Point State Park
in Sussex County. Stop at the park office (on the south side of the
highway, at the top of a steep climb), where water and restrooms are
available, then park in the designated Appalachian Trail parking area
(about 200 feet east of the entrance to the park office, on the south
side of the highway).
Map:
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Kittatinny Trails Map #18.
Description:
From the southwest comer of A.T. parking area, follow an unmarked
footpath for 100 feet and turn left on the white- blazed Appalachian
Trail, here also marked with the yellow-on- white blazes of the
Mashipacong Trail. In 0.1 mile, you will reach a trail junction, with a
painted drainage pipe to the left rising vertically from the ground to a
height of about four feet. The A.T. continues straight ahead, the
red-on-white-blazed Iris Trail is to your left, and the
yellow-on-white-blazed Mashipacong Trail goes off to your right.
Continue on the white-blazed A.T. straight ahead through the woods, and
gradually uphill to the main ridge. The trail continues south over
jagged rocks. After about a mile, the Blue Dot Trail leaves to the right
(it leads down to Sawmill Lake), and a short distance beyond on the A.T.,
you'll reach a viewpoint to the west over the lake.
After about a mile and a half of walking along the A.T., some views
to the east appear, and Lake Rutherford, a reservoir for the Borough of
Sussex, becomes a prominent feature. Then, 2.3 miles from the start, you
will reach an area where a large expanse of glacially scraped rock to
the left of the trail provides excellent views eastward. After passing a
few more viewpoints from exposed rocks, a blue-blazed trail to the left
leads downhill to the Rutherford Shelter and a spring.
Continuing on the A.T. heading south, you will come (in another 0.8
mile) to the intersection of the A.T. and the Iris Trail. Turn left here
and follow the red-on-white blazes of the Iris Trail through deep woods.
The Iris Trail, an old woods road, is easy walking, with no difficult
climbs, and it can be a great relief after three miles on jagged rock.
In three-quarters of a mile, you will come to a junction with another
woods road. Turn left here, staying on the Iris Trail, then bear right
at the next fork. Not far from this turn, the Iris Trail begins to run
along the west shore of Lake Rutherford. Several rock outcrops along the
shore of this lake make good rest stops. Swimming is not permitted,
however, since the lake serves a municipal water supply. After another
mile and a half on this woods road, you will arrive at the junction with
the A.T., at which point you should turn right and head back to your car
at the parking area.
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