Hike of the Week 04/24/2003

This loop hike encircles Rifle Camp Park, passing a panoramic viewpoint over Paterson, Bergen County and the New York City skyline.

Description:

This hike follows the yellow-blazed Rifle Camp Trail in a counter-clockwise direction. From the circle, proceed uphill on a paved path, passing the park's Nature Center on the right. The Nature Center is open daily, and you may wish to stop here to obtain a trail map and view the exhibits. Just beyond the Nature Center, the trail bears left and reaches an expansive overlook to the east and south, with much of Paterson and Bergen County visible directly below, and the entire New York City skyline in the distance. In another 400 feet, be careful to follow the yellow blazes as they bear right at a fitness station, leaving the paved path, and follow a dirt path parallel to the fence that marks the cliff line. After bearing left, away from the fence, the trail crosses a seasonal stream and turns right onto a gravel road.

  Soon, the yellow trail begins to run along a black metal fence, with a large red-roofed building beyond the fence. In 200 feet, it bears left, away from the fence, crosses a stream, and passes an octagonal concrete foundation to the right. With a parking area visible ahead, the trail turns right at a T-junction onto a wide path and crosses two stone culverts. In another 0.2 mile, follow the yellow blazes as they turn right at another T-junction, then curve left at a fitness station, with a large apartment building visible beyond a fence to the right.

  Almost a mile from the start, the yellow trail crosses the paved park entrance road diagonally to the left and reenters the woods on a footpath. After passing a grassy amphitheater and a small building to the left, the trail descends to a valley, where it begins to parallel a 500-foot-long concrete toboggan slide. At the top of the slide, the trail curves left and climbs rather steeply. In another 200 feet, it turns right onto a paved road in a picnic area. After passing a picnic shelter to the left, the trail turns right and descends steeply on a paved path. It curves right at the base of the descent, and soon continues on a gravel path. With the Great Notch Reservoir visible ahead, the trail bends left and crosses a stone culvert. It bears right at the next fork, bears left at a fitness station, and climbs to reach the park road. The trail does not cross the road; rather, it turns right, parallel to the road, and reenters the woods in 100 feet. After curving left and again approaching the road at a fitness station, the trail turns right and heads south, soon passing through a rock cut.

  At the next T - intersection, the trail turns left. Just ahead, it passes a small pond to the left. Here, a gullied road (shown on the park map) leaves to the right. The yellow blazes continue straight ahead, and they offer the most direct return route. But if you aren't too tired, turn right and follow the unmarked road up to a short side trail that leads to a viewpoint overlooking an active quarry. After taking in that view, continue along the road to another short side trail leading to a panoramic viewpoint over the New York City skyline -- even more spectacular than the one you encountered at the beginning of the hike. The road then descends rather steeply to rejoin the yellow trail by the pond, just 150 feet beyond the point where you left it. Turn right onto the yellow trail and follow it as it loops around the pond and continues on a wide paved path. About 200 feet beyond the end of the pond, the yellow trail turns right, leaving the paved path, and climbs into the woods. It bears left and continues through a rock cut, then descends to come out at the paved circle where you began the hike.

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