This hike follows a series of woods roads through an important center of the iron industry in the 1800s. Some of these woods roads are unmarked, and although they can easily be followed, those who are not confident of their route-finding ability might wish to choose another hike. The route of the hike traverses both Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge County Park.
From the parking area, proceed west, crossing a grassy area in front of an historic home. Continue on a footpath that passes behind a second home, then in front of three other historic buildings. Approaching the third building, the footpath joins an old woods road and curves to the right, soon passing two more historic buildings.
After crossing a stream on a bridge, the blue-on-white-blazed Sterling Ridge Trail and the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail join from the left. Ahead, you’ll come to the ruins of the company store and Hewitt Post Office. Here, you should bear right, following the blue-on-white and teal blazes.
A short distance beyond, the trail turns right to cross the Wanaque River on a footbridge. Before crossing the bridge, continue ahead into an open area, with the remains of the historic Long Pond Ironworks furnaces around its perimeter. Built between 1766 and 1865, these furnaces were used to convert iron ore from nearby mines into bars of iron. Behind the furnaces, the remains of waterwheels which harnessed the Wanaque River to power the furnaces’ air-blast machinery are visible within protective coverings.
After spending some time viewing the remains of the ironworks, return to the trail and turn left, crossing the Wanaque River on a wood-truss footbridge. The bridge was constructed in the fall of 2016, through the efforts of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, to replace a bridge that was washed away by Hurricane Irene in 2011. In addition to the Sterling Ridge and Highlands Trails, you are now following the yellow-blazed Hasenclever Iron Trail, which begins on the west side of the footbridge.
In 300 feet, follow the yellow blazes as the Hasenclever Iron Trail turns right, leaving the Sterling Ridge/Highlands Trail. The Hasenclever Iron Trail follows the route of an old road that was built to connect the Ringwood mines with the Long Pond Ironworks. This road was abandoned many years ago, and today, some sections are barely recognizable, while others are badly eroded. While the marked trail generally follows the road, there are places where it detours slightly to avoid wet or eroded sections.
You’ll soon reach Stop 1 of the Hasenclever Iron Trail, marked by a laminated sign which provides informative historical details. You’ll be passing six such signs along the route of the hike. After ascending for half a mile, the Hasenclever Iron Trail begins a steady descent. Soon, you can see the Monksville Reservoir ahead through the trees.
Just before reaching the reservoir, the trail turns sharply left and begins to parallel the reservoir. A short distance ahead, you’ll reach Stop 2 of the trail, where the stone ruins of a building used to process or store limestone are visible on the left. Next is Stop 3, near where the trail departs from the original route of the Ringwood-Long Pond road (now submerged under the reservoir).
Soon, the trail turns left, leaving the woods road it has been following, and enters the woods on a footpath to skirt a private home. It eventually curves to the right and descends to reach a junction with the dirt Beech Farm Road (this junction is Stop 4 on the trail).
Turn right onto Beech Farm Road, following the yellow blazes, and cross a stream on a wide concrete bridge with a guardrail. About 500 feet beyond the bridge, the trail turns left, leaving the road, and reaches Stop 5, where a 200-year-old tree on the right marks the site of an old homestead (note the iron cable on the left side of the trail). The trail now ascends gradually along a woods road, with a detour around an eroded section.
In another third of a mile, you’ll reach Stop 6. Here, the yellow-blazed Hasenclever Iron Trail bears right, but you should turn left onto an unmarked woods road which heads downhill towards a stream. The stream crossing can be tricky in times of high water, and you might want to go a short distance upstream and cross just below a cascade.
Just beyond the stream, you’ll reach a T-intersection, where you should turn left onto another woods road. In 200 feet, you’ll reach a fork, where you should bear right. The woods road now climbs along the side of a mountain, first rather steeply, then more gradually.
When you reach the crest of the rise, you’ll notice a mine pit to the right of the trail. This is one of the openings of the Patterson Mine, which was opened around 1870 and last worked in 1903. To the left of the trail are two water-filled pits, also part of the mine complex. Adjacent to each opening is a pile of tailings – the waste rock excavated during the mining process.
After spending some time exploring this interesting area (use caution when approaching the open mine pits), return to the woods road and continue ahead, now proceeding downhill. Soon, the joint Sterling Ridge/Highlands Trail (blue-on-white and teal diamond blazes) joins from the right.
Continue along the marked trail, which heads downhill, paralleling a stream on the right. At the next junction, marked by a triple yellow blaze, the Jennings Hollow Trail begins on the right, but you should continue ahead on the joint Sterling Ridge/Highlands Trail, passing through a hemlock grove. In three-quarters of a mile, you’ll reach the footbridge over the Wanaque River. Cross the bridge, then turn left and retrace your steps back to the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 12/01/2006 updated/verified on 05/10/2017
This loop hike passes the ruins of the Long Pond Ironworks and follows old woods roads to the Patterson Mine.
This hike follows a series of woods roads through an important center of the iron industry in the 1800s. Some of these woods roads are unmarked, and although they can easily be followed, those who are not confident of their route-finding ability might wish to choose another hike. The route of the hike traverses both Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge County Park.
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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 I-287 to Exit 57 and continue on Skyline Drive to its western end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike (County Route 511) in Ringwood. Turn right and proceed for 4.8 miles to the parking area for the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District (the parking area is on the right side of the road, immediately after crossing over the Monksville Reservoir).
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October 17, 2019
19:00 pm
I consulted a long-time volunteer who maintains many of the trails in the area, and he replied as follows: "I think that a day tripper hiking in the general area surely qualifies as being within the historic district, which is on both sides of the road. I see no problem with that and park there myself, no hassle. A commuter parked there all day every day would be a more likely target." In other words, the restriction on parking is intended to deter people who are not visiting the immediate area from parking at Long Pond Ironworks. Those who follow the route of this hike are considered to be visitors to the historic district, and their cars will not be towed.