PERMITS: Hiking in the Pequannock Watershed is by permit only. An annual permit ($14.00; senior citizens, $8.00) must be obtained in person at 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 only. It is closed on weekends.
The hike begins at a gate on the north side of Van Orden Road, just east of Clinton Road. Here, a triple-white blaze marks the start of the Hanks East Trail. Follow this trail, which heads north on a wide woods road. In a quarter mile, at a double blaze, the trail bears right, leaving the wide woods road. Bear right and continue to follow the white blazes along a narrower woods road. Soon, you'll be able to catch glimpses of Hanks Pond to the left, through the trees. Towards the northern end of the pond, the trail narrows to a footpath.
About a mile and a half from the start, the blue-blazed Newark Connector Trail begins on the left, but you should continue ahead along the white-blazed trail. In another quarter mile, the trail climbs to a wide rock outcrop that resembles a causeway. Here, the trail turns left and follows the outcrop.
After a short, steep climb, the trail reaches the top of another rock outcrop, and it turns right to follow it. The outcrop soon narrows, then widens again, with a blueberry swamp down to the left, and pitch pines on the rock ledge above. This rugged trail section is the most interesting part of the hike.
In a third of a mile, you'll reach a junction with the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail, which comes in from the right. This is the mid-point of the hike. Continue north along the joint Hanks East/Highlands Trail. When the trails diverge a short distance ahead, bear left and follow the Highlands Trail.
The Highlands Trail heads west and, in about a quarter mile, reaches a grassy woods road. Turn left onto this road, the route of the blue-over-white-blazed Hanks West Trail.
In another three-quarters of a mile, after crossing a stream on rocks, the blue-blazed Newark Connector Trail joins briefly. Continue ahead on the blue-over-white Hanks West Trail, which soon reaches the northern end of Hanks Pond.
For the next half mile, the trail runs along the west shore of the pond. Vegetation obscures views of the pond for much of the way, but there are several openings where the pond is clearly visible. Along the way, you'll pass a cracked concrete foundation on the right and, a short distance beyond, an abandoned stone building.
As you reach the southern end of the pond, you'll come to an intersection with another woods road. Here, the blue-over-white Hanks West Trail turns sharply right, but you should bear left, now following a wide but unmarked woods road which soon crosses a concrete spillway. Here, a side trail to the left leads to a viewpoint over the pond. Soon, you'll reach the point where the white-blazed Hanks East Trail rejoins from the left. Continue ahead on the woods road, retracing your steps to your car.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 08/14/2008 updated/verified on 06/23/2020
This loop hike traverses interesting rock outcrops and parallels the scenic Hanks Pond.
PERMITS: Hiking in the Pequannock Watershed is by permit only. An annual permit ($14.00; senior citizens, $8.00) must be obtained in person at 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 only. It is closed on weekends.
The hike begins at a gate on the north side of Van...
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 1.6 miles to Van Orden Road. Turn right onto Van Orden Road and park at one of the small turnouts at the side of the road.
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April 01, 2023
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