Hike of the Week 01/02/2003

Description:

From the parking turnout, walk east on Warwick Turnpike, going back over the concrete road bridge. Just east of the bridge, you’ll see three white blazes that mark the start of the Bearfort Ridge Trail. This will be your route for the first half of the hike. Follow the white blazes uphill through rhododendrons and hemlocks. In about 500 feet, the trail joins a woods road that comes in from the right. Just beyond, follow the white blazes as the trail turns left, leaving the road. (The orange-blazed Quail Trail, which continues ahead along the road, will be your return route.) The white-blazed trail continues to ascend on a wide footpath. After crossing a stream, it levels off through mountain laurel. A little over half a mile from the start, the trail descends briefly to cross a wider stream and continues through a rhododendron grove. At the end of the rhododendrons, a blue-blazed trail which leads to Warwick Turnpike goes off to the left. Continue ahead on the white-blazed trail.

The Bearfort Ridge Trail now begins a steady, rather steep climb. About a mile from the start, it passes a large, lichen-covered outcrop to the right. It continues to climb until it reaches the crest of the ridge, marked by pitch pines. Here, a large conglomerate rock outcrop to the left offers an expansive view to the south. Upper Greenwood Lake is visible to the west and, on a clear day, the New York City skyline may be seen in the distance to the east.
After taking in the view and resting from the steep climb, continue ahead, following the Bearfort Ridge Trail north along the puddingstone conglomerate ridge, through pitch pines. You’ll make a brief but steep climb, and the vegetation will change to hemlocks and laurels. The trail continues at an elevation of about 1,300 feet, having climbed about 600 feet from the trailhead. After about half a mile of walking along the ridge, the trail crosses an open rock outcrop, with several large glacial erratics, and passes more pitch pines. It descends to cross a wet area and then climbs to reach a rock ledge overlooking a swamp to the west. Here, a narrow wedge of the bedrock has split away from the main ledge, forming a deep crevice. You’ve now gone about two miles from the start, and this is a good place to take a break.

When you’re ready to continue, proceed north along the trail, which climbs to a rock outcrop with a huge boulder. It continues along a whaleback rock, through pitch pines, and reaches a limited viewpoint to the east. The trail now descends steeply, through hemlocks and laurels. After crossing a stream amid jumbled rocks at the base of the descent, the trail climbs to an east-facing viewpoint from a rock outcrop with pitch pines. From the outcrop, the trail descends gently, levels off, and then climbs to another rock outcrop -- marked by several cedar trees -- with a magnificent view to the north and east. Surprise Pond is visible to the north, and Sterling Forest and the Wyanokies may be seen to the east, with an arm of the Monksville Reservoir visible in the distance. You’ve now gone three miles from the start of the hike.

The white-blazed Bearfort Ridge Trail ends here, at a junction with the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail. Turn right and follow the yellow-blazed trail as it heads downhill through a rocky area and soon crosses a stream. The trail continues through a dense rhododendron grove, with the thick rhododendrons forming a canopy over the trail in places. About half a mile from the end of the Bearfort Ridge Trail, you’ll notice an orange-blazed trail coming in from the right. Continue ahead on the yellow trail for about 100 feet to an open area which overlooks Surprise Pond – a pristine, spring-fed lake. This is another good spot to take a break.

Now retrace your steps along the yellow trail, but when you come to the junction of the orange trail, bear left and follow the orange blazes. You’re now on the Quail Trail, a woods road that will lead you back to the start of the hike. Follow the orange blazes as they climb gently for a short distance and then begin a steady descent. In three-quarters of a mile, you’ll cross a stream on rocks. This crossing can be a little tricky if the water is high. In 500 feet, the trail crosses another stream and then climbs briefly, soon resuming its descent.

A third stream is crossed in another mile. A third of a mile beyond, be sure to bear right, as another woods road goes off to the left. When the orange-blazed trail ends at a junction with the white-blazed trail, continue ahead along the road and then bear right, following the white blazes downhill, back to the trailhead.

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