Although relatively short in distance (and nearly a mile of the hike follows roads), this is a very rugged hike, which involves climbing up and down many rocky ledges. There are a number of limited views, but some of them are obscured by vegetation in the summer.
From the parking area, proceed ahead (east) along Split Rock Road for 0.3 mile. When you reach the second power line crossing, turn right and follow a dirt road (blocked off by boulders) uphill, under the power line. This is the route of the blue-blazed Split Rock Loop Trail, which you will follow for most of the hike. Before reaching the crest of the hill, the trail bears right and enters the woods. After a short, gentle climb, the trail descends into a hollow, then climbs another rocky ridge. Here, the green-blazed Righter Mine Trail crosses.
Soon, you'll notice a huge glacial erratic to the left of the trail. This boulder, aptly named "The Rock," marks the highest point on the hike (elevation 980 feet). Just beyond, the trail bears right and descends on a winding footpath, with some views through the trees. At a limited viewpoint from a rock ledge, the trail bears left and heads south over undulating terrain.
After again crossing the green-blazed Righter Mine Trail, you'll reach Cedar Point, marked by several cedar trees. To the southwest, a cable television tower is visible through the trees on top of the ridge ahead. Just south of this tower is the site of a Hawk Watch (worth a visit on another occasion).
The trail turns right, soon reaching a rock outcrop, where it turns sharply left and descends on switchbacks. Just before a sharp right turn, the trail goes over a moss-covered mound of rocks -- a remnant of mining activity in the area. Turn left here, leaving the trail, and head uphill for about 100 feet to the mine opening of the Righter Mine. Note the drill marks in the rock walls around the mine shaft and the pile of tailings just below. Use caution, and do not step into the leaf-covered mine shaft.
After viewing this interesting feature, return to the trail, which turns sharply right and heads downhill through a rocky area to reach a wide woods road. Turn right onto this road, now following both blue and green blazes, and continue for 750 feet until the blue blazes turn left and cross the stream on a wooden footbridge. [Note: As of July 2020, this bridge has partially collapsed, but the portion of the bridge that crosses the stream remains. It is also possible to cross the stream on rocks under most conditions.]
On the west side of the brook, the trail bears left to parallel the brook, proceeding through a rocky area. It turns left onto an old woods road for a short distance, then turns right, continuing to head south along the brook. In another 500 feet, it turns right and begins to climb, first rather steeply, then more gradually. Soon, you'll come to an old woods road. The trail turns right, follows the road for 100 feet, then turns left and reaches The Maze, where the trail has been routed through narrow passages between large rocks.
After crossing another boulder field, with several small seasonal streams, you'll notice a high ridge looming ahead. The trail bears right to skirt the base of the ridge, passing a huge slanted boulder on the way, then turns left and climbs to the top of the ridge.
As you approach the ridge, you can see the Split Rock Reservoir directly ahead through the trees (during leaf-off season). To the right, a mountain is visible across the valley. You were there about an hour and a half ago! "The Rock" is situated at the top of this mountain, and you've hiked a U-shaped route to reach the spot where you are now.
The Split Rock Loop Trail now bears left, making another U-turn, and climbs to an open rock ledge at the highest point of the ridge, where it bears left again. After crossing another open rock ledge, it heads west through the woods to end at the white-blazed Four Birds Trail.
Turn right and follow the Four Birds Trail as it descends, passing a huge glacial erratic on the left. At the base of the descent, the trail reaches a woods road – the route of the yellow-blazed Wildcat Ridge Trail. Turn right onto the Wildcat Ridge Trail, which heads east on the level woods road, with a brook below on the left. After turning left and crossing the brook, the trail bears left, leaving the road, and heads uphill on a footpath. It crosses under the power lines and descends on switchbacks to end at Split Rock Road, at the west end of the reservoir dam.
Turn right and follow the road across the concrete dam. Just beyond the dam, you will see in leaf-off season, below to the right, the 32-foot-high charcoal-fired Split Rock Furnace, built of stone in 1862 to smelt magnetite ore into the iron needed for the Civil War. The furnace operated for only about ten years, and was abandoned in the 1870s. The parking area where the hike began is on the left side of the road, just beyond the dam.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 12/02/2005 updated/verified on 07/08/2020
This loop hike winds through rugged terrain south of the Split Rock Reservoir, passing several viewpoints and crossing the cascading Split Rock Brook.
Although relatively short in distance (and nearly a mile of the hike follows roads), this is a very rugged hike, which involves climbing up and down many rocky ledges. There are a number of limited views, but some of them are obscured by vegetation in the summer.
From the parking area, proceed ahead (east) along Split Rock Road for 0.3 mile. When you reach the second power line...
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Take I-80 West to Exit 37 (Hibernia/Rockaway). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Green Pond Road (County 513). Follow Green Pond Road north for 6.4 miles and turn right onto Upper Hibernia Road (opposite the Marcella Community Club). In 1.0 mile, turn left onto Split Rock Road and follow it for 1.0 mile to a traffic light that regulates traffic over the one-lane road ahead. Cross the narrow roadway over the dam of the Split Rock Reservoir, then turn left into a large dirt parking area on the left side of the road. Please note that parking along Split Rock Road is permitted only in this one parking area; cars parked elsewhere along the road will be ticketed.
The GPS coordinates have been corrected so that they now reference the parking lot at the southern end of the reservoir. Thanks for pointing out the error.
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September 22, 2021
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