Hike of the Week 11/7/2002

Description:

At the eastern end of parking area, at the sign “Welcome to Bloomingdale,” cross Glenwild Avenue. On the south side of the road, you will notice a blue-blazed post, marked “HB.” Follow this blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail, which climbs the hill and then turns right, heading west and parallel to the road, for about 0.25 mile. Here, with the road visible to the right, you will come to an intersection with the red-blazed Torne Trail. Turn left on this red trail, proceeding south. The trail climbs briefly, levels off, and then descends through a valley, which soon becomes a very rocky and boulder-filled gully.

In about 0.5 mile, the red trail ends at a second junction with the blue trail, which crosses the gully amidst large boulders. Turn right and head west and uphill, following the blue markers. For the next half mile, as you climb Torne Mountain, first steeply and then more gradually, there are a series of bedrock outcrops that offer constantly changing views to the south and west. Many large rounded boulders in the vicinity reveal the extensive glaciation this area once experienced.

After passing a viewpoint to the west, the trail continues through a wooded section and reaches a final viewpoint, this one looking to the north and west. Buck Mountain is visible to the north, with the Pequannock Watershed to the west. From here, the blue trail descends rather steeply and, in about a quarter mile, reaches the first junction with the red trail. Continue ahead on the blue trail, now retracing your steps, until the trail crosses Glenwild Avenue at the parking area where you left your car.

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