The Outsider: December 2013

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Norvin Green State Forest

Explore another section of my favorite hiking area at New Jersey.

I like Norvin Green State Forest because it is only about an hour away from my house and it is so easy to go to from Route 287. It is close to town but yet it provides the quietness you want for hiking. It allows you to get away from the busy daily life and indulge yourself with the beautiful of nature. The can'y miss view point of the forest is High Point, which offer unblocked view of the east all the to New York City. On a clear day you can get a good view of the city and really feel that you are away from your busy life. What a good way to distress.

Nearest Town: Wanaque, NJ
Difficulty: Moderate
Canine Compatibility: Dog Friendly
Trail Head: Weis Ecology Center, 150, Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ
Restroom: restroom is near the pool area that you pass on hike
More Information: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/norvin.html
Trail Map: http://www.nynjtc.org/files/NorvinGreen_BrochureMap_2009.pdf
Hike Distance: 7.2 miles
Lowest Elevation: 79 ft
Highest Elevation: 1191 ft

On this hike, I did green (Otter Hole)-blue (HB)-yellow (mine)-orange-red (WCI)-white (lower)-yellow (Carris Hill)-blue (HB)-green (Otter Hole)

Weis Ecology Center sign at parking lot. Weis Ecology had closed since December 2012.

beginning of blue (HB) and yellow (mine) trails

junction of blue (HB) and yellow (mine) trails

junction of orange and yellow. Trail at this area are a bit confusing because they are all too close together.

waterfalls on orange trail

junction of yellow and orange trails

Roomy Mine

view along yellow/orange trail

view from Ball Mountain

wooden bridge crossing Blue Mine Brook on red (WCI)/yellow (mine) trail.

Blue Mine (I believe) on the red (WCI)/yellow (mine) trail

a structure remain along the red (WCI)/yellow (mine) trail

junction of yellow (mine) and red (WCI)

crossing stream on red (WCI) trail

junction of red (WCI) and white (lower). The blue diamond shape blaze mark the Highland Trail

tree trunks laying on the ground along the white (lower) trail

junction of white (lower) and yellow (Carris Hill)

crossing stream at Carris Hill Trail

view point along Carris Hill Trail

nice wall on Carris Hill Trail for bouldering practice

view point along Carris Hill Trail

junction of blue (HB) and yellow (Carris Hill)

junction of red (WCI), blue (HB) and Highland Trail. Follow red and Highland Trail to High Point

always nice to see men best friend on the trail

view point at High Point

junction of blue (HB) and white (Macopin)

Friday, December 13, 2013

Harriman Mountain State Park, NY

Venture out to New York State Park during Thanksgiving. I did this hike with two of my friends Rick and Matthew.

Harriman State Park locates in Rockland and Orange counties. It is the second-largest park in the New York State Parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, two beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points.
Nearest Town: Sloatsburg, NY
Difficulty: Moderate
Canine Compatibility: Dog Friendly
Trail Head: Reeves Meadow Information Center, Seven Lakes Drive, Ramapo, NY 10974
Restroom: restroom at information center parking lot (maybe close at off season)
More Information: http://www.nysparks.com/parks/145/details.aspx
Trail Map: Harriman and Bear Mountain Parks Trail Illustrated Map from National Geographic
Hike Distance: 8.1 miles
Lowest Elevation: ft
Highest Elevation: ft

On this hike, we did red (Pine Meadow)-orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago)-blue (Seven Hills)-white (Kakiat)-black (Racoon Brook Hills)-orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago)-black (Racoon Brook Hills)-blue (Seven Hills)-white (Reeves Brook)-red (Pine Meadow)

Reeves Meadow Information Center (trail head parking lot)

red (Pine Meadow) and white (Kakiat) trails junction

red (Pine Meadow) and yellow trails junction

junction of orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago) and red (Pine Meadow)

junction of orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago) and blue (Seven Hills)

view at orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago) trail

view at blue (Seven Hills) trail

beginning of white (Kakiat) at the junction of blue (Seven HIlls) / red (Pine Meadow) and white (Kakiat)

beginning of black (Racoon Brook Hills) trail from white (Kakiat)

view at black (Racoon Brook Hills) trail

New York City view from black (Racoon Brook Hills) trail

junction of black (Racoon Brook Hills) and orange (Hillburn-Torne Sebago)

view at Hiiburn-Torne Sebago trail

view at junction of (Racoon Brook Hills) and blue (Seven Hills)

end of black (Racoon Brook Hills) and T-junction with blue (Seven Hills)

end of white (Reeves Brook) and joint back to red (Pine Meadow)

Ramapo Mountain State Forest

Ramapo Mountain State Forest at Bergen and Passaic Counties of New Jersey is under the management of Department of Environmental Protection of New Jersey. The forest cover 4,629 acres of land. Activities includes hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking. Famous attraction is Van Slyke Castle or Foxcroft Mansion.
Nearest Town: Oakland, NJ
Difficulty: Moderate
Canine Compatibility: Dog Friendly
Trail Head: 101 Skyline Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436 (41.03231,-74.25177)
Restroom: Portable restroom at trailhead parking lot.
More Information: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ramapo.html
Trail Map: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ramapo.html
Hike Distance: 8.4 miles
Lowest Elevation: 291 ft
Highest Elevation: 999 ft

On this hike, I did the blue (MacEvoy)-white (castle point)-red (cannonball)-red (cannonball)/yellow (Hoeferlin Memorial)-red (Matapan Rock)-orange (Schuber)-white (Millstone)-yellow-white (Todd)-blue (MacEvoy).