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From the northwest corner of the parking area, proceed west to the stone Cooper Mill. The mill, built in 1826, is open for tours in the summer and on weekends in the...
Hike Description:
From the northwest corner of the parking area, proceed west to the stone Cooper Mill. The mill, built in 1826, is open for tours in the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall. Descend the stairs alongside the mill and continue south on the blue-blazed spur of the Patriots’ Path (blazed with the path-and-tree logo), which crosses several tributary streams on wooden bridges and several wet areas on puncheons. About a third of a mile from the start, the trail turns left onto an abandoned railroad grade – the former route of the Hacklebarney Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, built in 1873 to carry iron ore from mines along the river and abandoned in 1900. The trail follows this railroad grade for the next mile. Although it was abandoned over a century ago, the right-of-way is in remarkably good condition.
Half a mile from the start, you’ll pass Kay Pond (formerly known as Hacklebarney Pond) on the right. Here, the railroad had to be blasted through a rock cut, and the drill marks from the blasting may still be seen in the rock. The small building at the south end of Kay Pond was once used to store ice cut from the pond in the winter.
After passing the stone dam at the end of the pond, the trail goes by a bridge over the Black River (closed to vehicular traffic), turns left, and passes a fenced-in area on the left. This is the site of the former Hacklebarney Mine, where a considerable amount of iron ore was mined in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The trail proceeds along the scenic river. Soon, the railroad grade ends and the trail continues on a slightly rougher footpath parallel to the river.
About 1.2 miles from the start, after crossing two wooden footbridges over tributary streams, the trail reaches abandoned concrete abutments in the river – the remnants of a former bridge. Here, the trail bears left and begins to head uphill on a wide woods road. It passes the start of the Green Trail on the right and bears left at the next fork (the right fork is the route of the Blue/Orange Trail). Soon, the trail begins to parallel Chubb Brook (below on the left). The trail now curves right and continues to climb more steeply.
At the top of the climb, the trail reaches a junction in a clearing, marked by signposts. Here, the Yellow Trail joins briefly. Turn left to continue on the Patriots' Path, then immediately turn left at the next intersection. After passing the start of the White Trail on the right, you'll continue along open fields and reach a parking area, with the Kay Environmental Center on the right.
Pass just to the left of the Environmental Center (note a Patriots' Path blaze on a tree to the left of a fence) and continue on a wide grassy path between fields, which becomes a grassy woods road. The Patriots' Path turns left at a T-intersection (the Orange Trail begins on the right), then bears right to join the paved entrance road. It continues along the road for a quarter mile, then turns right onto Pottersville Road. After following Pottersville Road for 750 feet, the trail turns left (opposite 230 Pottersville Road) and reenters the woods on a footpath. It continues through dense underbrush.
In another quarter mile, after bearing right at a junction, the trail begins a gradual climb of the hillside. After crossing an old woods road diagonallly to the left, it continues uphill on a rocky path, soon reaching the top of the hill. The trail now descends to a junction with the red-blazed Conifer Pass Trail (marked by signposts). Turn right and follow the red-blazed trail as it descends to recross Pottersville Road.
On the other side of the road, the trail descends through a mixed evergreen and deciduous forest, crossing several old stone walls along the way. At the base of the descent, it crosses Cedar Brook on rocks. The trail ascends rather steeply on switchbacks, continues climbing more gradually to the crest of the rise, then descends to the Black River, passing two mine pits on the right.
The red-blazed trail now heads north through the rocky gorge of the Black River, running directly along the river. This wild and spectacular section of the river is the scenic highlight of the hike, but the trail is narrow and runs along the steep hillside, so take care as you traverse this portion of the trail. This is a good place to take a break and enjoy the beauty of the cascading river.
After about a quarter of a mile, the trail begins to climb out of the gorge. At the top of the climb, it reaches a T-intersection. Here, the red-blazed trail turns right, but you should turn left, now following the Green Trail. The Green Trail descends on a woods road, passes a stone chimney and stone foundations on the left, and levels off along the river. Soon, it climbs to reach another T-intersection, where you should turn left, continuing to follow the Green Trail.
Once again, the trail descends to the river and continues along another wild and scenic section of the river, with cascades and rapids. Soon, you'll pass the stone abutments of a former bridge and reach a curved stone dam, with the ruins of a large stone building on the opposite side of the river.
Continue along the Green Trail, which soon begins to follow a level woods road. The Green Trail crosses the Orange Trail and continues to its terminus at the Patriots' Path. Turn left and follow the Patriots' Path north along the Black River for 1.2 miles, retracing your steps to the Cooper Mill parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 05/08/2003 updated/verified on 10/15/2020
This lollipop-loop hike runs along the scenic Black River, following an abandoned railroad grade for part of the way and passing through a spectacular rocky gorge.
40.778641, -74.720206
Morris Co., NJ
6 mi
4 hrs
Hike Checklist:
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.
The Essentials
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.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take I-80 West to Exit 27A and continue south on U.S. Route 206 for 8.0 miles. Turn right onto County Route 513 and follow it for 1.2 miles to the entrance to Cooper Mill Park, on the left side of the road.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
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September 28, 2023
08:30 am
Trip Reports
rate experience May 09, 2017
Hiked Spring 2017
Good Hike and very neat description provided. However few changes at the last portion of the hike due to changed trail marking.
Let me try to compile this - where the trail description says "The trail continues high above the river, with views of the river below through the trees. In another 0.4 mile, you’ll reach a T-intersection with a wide dirt road.". Just after the last turn in around 100 feet you will see one green marking going downhill and red blazes going uphill on right. I will name this as point "X". This one got me confused as I have not covered 0.4 miles and realized the problem much later. You should continue on the red blazes going uphill and at the next T-intersection you should turn left and follow Light Orange Blaze until the next intersection where you should continue the light orange and blue blaze. Then you can follow the remaining trail description.
Alternatively from the Point X (mentioned above) you can follow the green blazes going downhill. This green trail will level with the river and again climb back to give a view of the river from top. In around 0.5 mile it will reach a wide path intersection with yellow blazes. you should continue straight on the Green trail and in around 600 ft you will reach intersection with blue trail. Turn left and follow the blue trail to return to the parking.
The GPS co-ordinate will take you half mile from the actual parking. The old closed bridge is there, you can park start your hike here by entering the closed bridge over black river, and you will cut short the trail by 2 miles round trip. This one make you start at end of Kay Pond. Rather follow the trail head description. From the GPS location continue straight until you reach route 5. turn right on route 5 and you can see the old mill on your right.
September 25, 2016
Hiked this today
<p>Printed out the directions and parked next to the Grist Mill (very cool by the way). Start off was easy but I felt the trail marking could have been better/more frequent. Directions were spot on but I admit I got a bit lost at this part "</p>
<p><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.16px; background-color: #edefd9;">Pass just to the left of the Environmental Center (note a Patriots' Path blaze on a tree to the left of a fence) and continue on the blue-blazed Bamboo Brook Trail. The trail follows a wide grassy path between fields and continues on a grassy woods road. It turns left at a T-intersection, then bears right to join the paved entrance road. It continues along the road for a quarter mile, then turns right onto Pottersville Road. "</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Eventually I was spit out on someones farm on Pottersvill road and decided to walk down a bit to see if I could pick up the trail. Was able to find it and was fine. I will say that part of the trail, as well as the first 3rd or so of the red trail were poorly maintained and very narrow (and few markers). I can see in the fall losing the trail will be quite easy especially with the switchbacks. It's about 12 - 18 inches wide at points. Covered with leaves you won't see it. Anyway, great trail overall, nice and easy. Did it in about 2 hours (the 6.4 mile one). Only negative besides some of the trail conditions and markings is that the first part (1.3 miles or so) you hear a lot of road traffic so the purist in me wasn't crazy about it. Beautiful overall tho. I would hike this again. </span></p>
September 07, 2013
Update - September 2013
<p>Hiked this trail today - all trees are cleared except for one very small spot. This is a wonderful hike!</p>