Just north of the parking turnout, you’ll notice a "no hunting or trespassing" sign. Follow the Highlands Trail into the woods. The trail climbs steadily on a footpath.
Near the top of the climb, the orange-blazed Roomy Mine Trail begins on the right. This will be your return route, but for now, continue ahead on the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail, which ascends to a high point, marked by a balanced boulder. The trail descends a little and continues for about half a mile over undulating terrain, with many short ups and downs. This trail section is particularly scenic, featuring varied and interesting terrain and vegetation, passing many glacial erratics and crossing a number of rock ledges.
After reaching a long, flat balanced rock, the Highlands Trail begins to descend. It climbs a little to cross an open rock ledge, then descends steadily. At the base of the descent (after passing a pile of mine tailings on the left), it reaches a junction with the red-on-white-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail and the yellow-on-white-blazed Mine Trail. Turn left for 150 feet (do not cross the footbridge), and you’ll come to the Blue Mine, filled with muddy water. This mine, named for the dark blue color of its ore, was discovered by Peter Hasenclever about 1765 and was worked extensively in the 1800s. A large concrete pad at the entrance to the mine, with protruding iron rods, once served as a base for steam-operated equipment.
Retrace your steps to the joint Wyanokie Circular/Mine Trails and proceed north (again, do not cross the footbridge). Continue past the junction with the Highlands Trail, following the red-on-white and yellow-on-white blazes along a rocky woods road. In another 200 feet, bear left at the fork and cross a small stream on rocks. When the yellow-on-white blazes diverge to the right, continue to follow the red-on-white blazes of the Wyanokie Circular Trail.
In about 600 feet, you’ll notice three orange blazes on a tree to the right, which mark the start of the Roomy Mine Trail. Turn right and follow this trail, which climbs gradually. In another 500 feet, you’ll come to the main opening of the Roomy Mine (on the hillside, to the left of the trail). Named for Benjamin Roome, a local land surveyor, the mine was opened shortly after 1840 and worked until 1857. The mine shaft, which can be entered, extends about 60 feet into the hillside (the mine is closed from September 15 to April 15 to protect hibernating bats).
Continue ahead on the orange-blazed Roomy Mine Trail, which descends slightly. In 200 feet, the Roomy Mine Trail turns left, joining the yellow-on-white-blazed Mine Trail. Both trails head uphill to a south-facing viewpoint from a rock ledge over Wyanokie High Point and Carris Hill, with the Wanaque Reservoir visible to the left through the trees. Here, the trails turn sharply left, climb to another rock ledge, then continue north along the ridge, passing an open cut of the Roomy Mine on the right. Just beyond, you’ll reach an open area, with west-facing views over Wyanokie High Point, Assiniwikam Mountain and Saddle Mountain.
After passing another mine opening (with a large pile of tailings) on the left, the two trails diverge. Continue to follow the Roomy Mine Trail, which turns right and descends, first on switchbacks and rock steps, then more gradually. After crossing a stream on rocks and then a woods road, the Roomy Mine Trail climbs slightly to end at a junction with the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail.
Turn left onto the Highlands Trail and follow it downhill to Townsend Road, where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 06/18/2009 updated/verified on 06/15/2021
This hike climbs to several viewpoints and passes openings of the Blue Mine and the Roomy Mine.
Just north of the parking turnout, you’ll notice a "no hunting or trespassing" sign. Follow the Highlands Trail into the woods. The trail climbs steadily on a footpath.
Near the top of the climb, the orange-blazed Roomy Mine Trail begins on the right. This will be your return route, but for now, continue ahead on the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail, which ascends to a high point,...
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 Skyline Drive to its northwestern end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike (County Route 511). Turn left and proceed south for 1.6 miles to West Brook Road. Turn right onto West Brook Road and cross the Wanaque Reservoir on a causeway. At the next T-junction, turn left and continue for 0.4 mile to Townsend Road. Turn left onto Townsend Road and proceed for about 500 feet to a small parking turnout on the right side of the road, opposite a house. Park here.
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June 08, 2023
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