Hike Reviews
June 07, 2020
Hike has been updated
<p>Today, June 21, 2020, I rehiked the route of this hike and updated the hike description to take into account the items mentioned in the comments below, as well as several other changes. The hike description is now up-to-date.</p>
June 07, 2020
Directions Need Upate - Follow Black on Blue at Start
As others have noted previously, the hike directions are in need of update as the hike begins with a black diamond on blue diamond blaze - not white. And the blazes are on a tree also marked with a Highlands Trail blaze. We also noted that hikers parking along the lakeside should pay attention to the "Fire Lane" signs that provide a firefighting route to the lakeshore - we would not want NYNJTC members to get towed.
We enjoyed the hike, but overall can only rate the loop as two stars due to the less pleasant experiences of the high-voltage power line and the road walking at the end of the route. There was much evidence of ATV and motorcycle traffic on and crossing the trails. luckily we did not encounter motorized riders, but we did see a group head into the woods at the trailhead as we returned to our car in the mid-afternoon.
We also believed that the hike description needs an update regarding the proximity to the reservoir - seems that the trail might have been moved back from the shoreline in recent years.
We encountered the somewhat mysterious looking red blazes mentioned in other posts - quite curious who or what put them there.
December 02, 2017
I wish I had read the prior comments!
The blazes at the start of the trail are black on teal diamond - same as the Highland Trail Connector at the end of the trail. At the end of the walk, a newly marked trail comes in from the left. This hike continues to the right. This new trail has an unusual, red trail marker on the tree. About 50' up this new trail is an unusual red stamping out of steel of a waterfowl cemented to the top of a rock. The cement appears new. I suspect someone is designing a new trail near the end of White Road.
This was a nice hike except for the 3/4 mile walk back to the car. including 1/3 mile on Stonetown Road. Otherwise a nice hike The beginning is rather strenuous up Harrison Mountain ("I thought this was supposed to be a Moderate hike!"), but the rest was lovely. I didn't stay on the trail much - the down leaves obscured the trail - but the trail was well-marked, including the Highland Trail Connector near the end.
August 02, 2017
White blazes are now blazed blue
As of 8/1/17, the white blazes are now a black on blue diamond. The hike can still be followed according to the directions, and once you pass the first viewpoint the blazes are all as described. This hike can be done in about an hour and a half if you follow the guide all the way to crossing stonetown road, then follow stonetown road back to the trailhead. The views on this hike are pretty good, and its a quiet area.
June 02, 2016
Quick hike
<p>I chose this hike because I didn't have a lot of time and this fit the bill perfectly. I completed the whole trail in just over 2 hours. I kept a fairly steady pace and didn't take any substantial breaks. There are a few moderate climbs and the trails were easy as they are mostly packed earth rather than rock hopping. Many private homes are visible along the way and you are never very far from "civilization".</p>
August 21, 2014
Wonderful Hike with Great Views!
<p>I had never been in this neck of the woods before and I was suprised to know of all this marvelous country that I didn't know existed! What I loved about this trail was that we never encountered a soul! No one knows about this? You park at a dead end in a neighborhood (by beautiful small Lake Riconda), and wander into the woods on the start of the White trail. The blazes were difficult to find at times, as they were spaced far apart and not directly where you could find them. And I guess because it's not a heavily traveled trail, it's often hard tofind. We got off the trail and ended up clambering up a hill of rocks only to find that wasn't the way; had to backtrack, but found the blaze and climbed straight up to a spectacular view of the reservoir! Too bad the power lines were in the way. Great photo opp anyway. After that, the blazes were pretty clear. It's an easy hike once you get past the rough start. We printed out these trail directions and they were spot on down to the mileage and time it took! A nice change from outdated books that have gotten us lost. This website is the way to go, and all of these great hikes listed here have up-to-date detailed directions. And our dog, Lucy loved all the bodies of water along the way! Mary F.</p>