PERMITS: Hiking in the Pequannock Watershed is by permit only. An annual permit ($19.00; senior citizens $13.00) must be obtained from the office of the City of Newark, 223 Echo Lake Road, West Milford; (973) 697-1724. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. It is closed on weekends.
DESCRIPTION: From the north end of the parking area, head into the woods on the yellow-blazed Fire Tower West Trail, which follows a footpath. In only about 300 feet, you'll notice a triple-blue blaze on the right. Turn right onto this blue-blazed connecting trail, which soon climbs to the ridge through dense mountain laurel thickets. After a short level stretch, it ends at a junction with the red-over-white-blazed Fire Tower Ridge Trail.
Turn left onto the Fire Tower Ridge Trail, which follows a wide, grassy woods road. In about 500 feet, it curves sharply right and reaches the site of Cross Castle (on the left). Built in 1907 as the home of Richard F. Cross, the three-story stone mansion was sold to the City of Newark in 1919 and soon abandoned. The stone walls were finally demolished in 1988, and only part of one wall and portions of the foundation remain.
The trail curves left and continues along a narrower woods road, with views of Hanks Pond through the trees to the right, and Kanouse Mountain in the distance. Soon, an unmarked trail on the left leads to a circular stone water tower built to supply water to Cross Castle (the water tower can also be seen from the trail). The trail continues along the woods road, parallel to and just east of the summit ridge of Bearfort Mountain.
About three-quarters of a mile from the site of the castle, the woods road turns left and climbs to a rock outcrop studded with cedar and white pine. Here, the woods road ends. The trail bears right and continues on a footpath along the ridge, following a series of interesting outcrops of conglomerate rock. It passes a blueberry swamp on the left (with a view over the swamp from a rock outcrop to the left of the trail), then descends to a cleft in the rock with an underground stream. Here, the blue-blazed Newark Connector Trail joins from the right and begins to run concurrently with the Fire Tower Ridge Trail.
After dropping down from a rock outcrop and crossing a small stream, you'll come to a fork, where the blue-blazed trail leaves to the left. You should bear right and continue to follow the red-over-white blazes of the Fire Tower Ridge Trail along the ridge, climbing gradually.
In another half mile, you'll reach a large clearing, with the Bearfort Fire Tower visible directly ahead. Built in 1934, this 68-foot-high fire tower provides a panoramic 360-degree view, with pristine Cedar Pond visible directly to the west and the Clinton Reservoir to the south. The tower is manned seasonally, and if the fire tower observer is present, he may invite you to climb the tower to enjoy the views.
When you're ready to continue, head south from the tower. In about 50 feet, you'll notice the teal-diamond blazes of the Highlands Trail on the right. Turn right (west) and follow this trail, which almost immediately turns left and heads south along the ridge, joined by the yellow-blazed Fire Tower West Trail. At the next fork, bear right to continue on the Highlands/Fire Tower West Trails.
As you continue south along the ridge, you pass through a forest of mountain laurel, hemlock and white pine. In about a quarter of a mile, the trail traverses a rock ledge with limited west-facing views.
In another half mile, the blue-blazed Newark Connector Trail begins on the left, with impressive cliffs near its start. You should continue ahead on the joint Fire Tower West/Highlands Trail. But at the next junction, where the Highlands Trail bears right and begins to descend (along with the white-blazed Two Brooks Trail), be sure to turn left and follow the yellow-blazed Fire Tower West Trail.
The trail parallels sheer cliffs on the left, then moves away from the cliffs, which can be seen through the trees. In 1.3 miles, after passing the end of a blue connecting trail on the left, the Fire Tower West Trail ends at parking area P2 on Clinton Road.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 07/17/2008 updated/verified on 04/03/2023
This loop hike follows the ridge of Bearfort Mountain to the Bearfort Fire Tower, with panoramic views.
PERMITS: Hiking in the Pequannock Watershed is by permit only. An annual permit ($19.00; senior citizens $13.00) must be obtained from the office of the City of Newark, 223 Echo Lake Road, West Milford; (973) 697-1724. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. It is closed on weekends.
DESCRIPTION: From the north end of the parking...
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 N.J. Route 23 to the Clinton Road exit (just north of Newfoundland). At the end of the ramp, bear left onto Larue Road, then turn right onto Clinton Road and follow it for 2.7 miles to parking area P2 (a small turnout for 2-3 cars on the right side of the road, marked by a wooden post and a sign on a tree).
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December 09, 2023
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