This hike affords you the opportunity to enter the historic Roomy Mine (open from April 15 to September 15 only). Although the mine itself is high enough to permit you to stand, you’ll have to crawl a short distance to reach the entrance. Be sure to bring along a flashlight or headlamp!
The hike begins at the western end of the parking area, where a gatepost with a triple light-green blaze marks the start of the Otter Hole Trail. You'll be following this trail for the next 0.4 mile. Go around the gate and continue along the driveway leading into the New Weis Center. Bear right at the first fork, but turn left at a kiosk, following the light-green blazes and "to trails" signs. (If you have a dog, you need to continue on Snake Den Road, as per the signs.)
At a second kiosk, the trail turns right to skirt the Highlands Natural Pool (here, the "L" Trail joins briefly). This pool is fed by the brook and is not chlorinated. For more information on this pool, see www.highlandspool.com. The trail briefly joins a dirt road, then bears left and ascends on a footpath, passing cascades in the brook and the weir that regulates the supply of water to the pool.
After crossing a footbridge over the brook, the green-blazed Otter Hole Trail proceeds through a rocky area and reaches a wide woods road -- the continuation of Snake Den Road. Here, the Otter Hole Trail turns right and follows the road, but you should cross the road at a kiosk and continue ahead on the joint Mine (yellow-on-white) and Hewitt-Butler (blue) Trails. The joint trails ascend on a footpath through mountain laurel and then climb more steeply through a rocky area, with rock steps provided for part of the way.
The joint trails level off and reach a junction where the trails split. The blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail continues ahead, but you should turn left and follow the yellow-on-white blazes of the Mine Trail. The trail passes some interesting jumbled boulders and rock outcrops on the left and begins a steady descent. After a while, the descent moderates, and the trail joins an old woods road. You’ll reach a junction with the orange-blazed Roomy Mine Trail, which begins on the left, but continue ahead on the yellow-on-white Mine Trail.
After a relatively level section, the trail descends to a T-intersection, where the red-on-white-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail (also the route of the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail) comes in from the right. You should turn left and follow the joint Mine, Wyanokie Circular and Highlands Trails, which descend slightly to cross an intermittent stream.
A short distance ahead, you’ll see on the left the ruins of a stone shelter, constructed by members of the Green Mountain Club in the 1930s. The trail now approaches Blue Mine Brook. Just before reaching the brook, you’ll notice a circular mine pit to the right of the trail, with a small pile of tailings (discarded waste rock) to its left. The trail crosses the brook on a wooden footbridge, built as an Eagle Scout project in 2002.
Turn right after crossing the footbridge and proceed ahead for about 100 feet. To the left is 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.
Go back to the footbridge (do not recross it) and continue ahead on the joint Mine/Wyanokie Circular/Highlands Trails. Almost immediately, the Highlands Trail leaves to the right, and you should continue ahead on a rocky woods road, following yellow-on-white and red-on-white blazes. Just ahead, bear left at a fork and continue ahead for a quarter mile on a level footpath until the two trails separate. Here, you should turn right and follow the yellow-on-white blazes of the Mine Trail, which climbs on a narrow woods road, once used to access the Roomy Mine. At the top of a rather steep pitch, the Mine Trail turns sharply right, but you should continue ahead on the old road, now following the orange blazes of the Roomy Mine Trail.
At the top of the rise, the entrance to the Roomy Mine is on the right. Named for Benjamin Roome, a local land surveyor, the mine was opened shortly after 1840 and worked until 1857. To enter the mine (open only from April 15 to September 15), you first have to crawl through a short passage that is only about two feet high. That leads to a large chamber, with the horizontal shaft heading into the mine directly ahead. The shaft is about six feet high and leads 60 feet into the hillside, where it dead-ends. The temperature inside the mine is a constant 52 degrees, and the floor is usually wet.
When you’re finished exploring the mine, turn right and follow the orange blazes of the Roomy Mine Trail along the mine road. Soon, the trail bears right onto another road (the red-on-white-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail ends here on the left). A short distance ahead, at a huge boulder, turn left and continue to follow the Roomy Mine Trail, which climbs over a rise and passes interesting rock outcrops.
After a jog to the right, the trail crosses Blue Mine Brook above a waterfall, turns right and briefly follows the brook, then turns left and continues to a junction with the yellow-on-white-blazed Mine Trail. Here, the Roomy Mine Trail ends, and you should turn right onto the Mine Trail. (From here to the end of the hike, you’ll be retracing your steps.) The trail is level at first, then climbs steadily.
At the top of the climb, turn right, joining the blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail. Now following both blue and yellow-on-white blazes, descend steeply to Snake Den Road, here a dirt road. The Hewitt-Butler and Mine Trails end here, but you should cross the road and continue ahead on the green-blazed Otter Hole Trail past the Highlands Natural Pool and along Blue Mine Brook, ending at the parking area where the hike began.
This loop hike passes by two old iron mines, one of which extends about 60 feet into the hillside.
This hike affords you the opportunity to enter the historic Roomy Mine (open from April 15 to September 15 only). Although the mine itself is high enough to permit you to stand, you’ll have to crawl a short distance to reach the entrance. Be sure to bring along a flashlight or headlamp!
The hike begins at the western end of the parking area, where a gatepost with a triple light-...
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, crossing the Wanaque Reservoir. At the next intersection, turn left, then take the second left onto Snake Den Road, following signs to the New Weis Center. In 0.3 mile, bear left at a fork, and continue for another 0.3 mile to a large dirt parking area on the right side of the road, just before the entrance to the New Weis Center.
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May 31, 2023
19:00 pm