Hike of the Week 3/20/2003

INFORMATION: (973) 543-4030.

Description:

From the parking area, proceed to the visitor center, where you can buy a $4 short-term pass or a $15 annual pass. Return to your car and proceed ahead onto Tour Road. Bear left at the parking area for Wick House; bear right at the parking area for the Soldiers Huts. When you reach a stop sign near a circular restroom building, turn right and continue to the Trail Center parking area on the right side of the road.

Proceed north (parallel to the road) for about 100 feet. Just west of a stream, you'll see Signpost 26. (Numbered signposts mark trail junctions in this park.) Turn right, following a sign for Camp Road Trail, and cross the stream on a footbridge. A triple blue blaze marks the start of Blue Trail, the loop trail that you will follow. Turn left and follow a narrow dirt path that heads north, with the stream to your left and the paved road to your right. The blue-blazed path bears right and climbs above the stream, continuing to parallel the road to the right.

In about a third of a mile, you'll reach Signpost 24. Turn left here and follow the paved road for about 200 feet. Then turn right just before a circular restroom building. You'll pass Signpost 23 by a locked gate and continue ahead on New York Brigade Trail, a rocky woods road. The trail descends gradually, crosses a bridge over a stream, and reaches Signpost 22. There it joins the white-blazed Grand Loop Trail, which comes in from the right. The joint white/blue trail follows a wide dirt road and passes a small pond on the right. A bench here makes an attractive spot for a break.

A short distance ahead, you'll reach a T intersection marked by Signpost 10. Here, the white trail leaves to the left, but you should turn right, following the blue blazes. Blue Trail crosses a bridge over a stream and begins a gradual ascent. It bears right at the next Y intersection (Signpost 11) and continues to climb. Then, at Signpost 12, Blue Trail bears left, joining Mount Kemble Loop Trail. A short distance ahead, the trail passes a locked gate (Signpost 14) and reaches a T intersection.

Blue Trail turns right, passing a house to the left. The road you are following is the park boundary. Just ahead, follow the blue blazes as the trail first bears left at a Y intersection, then proceeds straight ahead passing another locked gate and Signpost 15. Do not follow the road that descends to the left. In another third of a mile, you'll pass to the right of a stone monument and an interpretive sign that commemorate Stark's Brigade. Just beyond, you'll reach an expansive east-facing viewpoint, accompanied by a sign, on the left. This is another good spot to take a break.

The trail begins to descend. Continue ahead at Signpost 16, where an unmarked path goes off to the left, but when you reach Signpost 17, turn sharply left, following the blue blazes and a sign for Camp Road Trail. At the next intersection, marked by Signpost 19, turn sharply right, joining Camp Road Trail. Then, at the base of the descent, you'll reach Signpost 20, where the white-blazed Grand Loop Trail and Patriots Path (marked by a river-and-tree logo) join from the left.

The joint trails continue ahead, crossing a stream on a bridge. Just beyond, the white trail leaves to the right at Signpost 21. Continue ahead, following the blue blazes, until you reach a locked gate (Signpost 27) by the paved road. Turn left and follow the road a short distance back to your car.

V3 Last updated: November 20, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.