Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Our favorite resource for kayaking spots in New Jersey and eastern PA is Quiet Water New Jersey.. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Beyond water recreation, Long Pond also offers hiking, historical tours, and the Long Pond Ironworks Museum. Proceed ahead for 50 feet, then turn left, following the white-blazed trail into the woods (the trail to the right, also blazed white, will be your return route). Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. The trail soon crosses under overhead power lines, bears right and begins to parallel the reservoir. Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. This large area curves all the way down to the Monksville Dam. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack. Good campsites are found, not made. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. FRIDAY October 2, 2020 Canoe—Monksville Reservoir, Hewitt, NJ. Trailhead is at the far end of parking. Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. Let nature's sounds prevail. Easily accessible from either the north or the south boat ramp, the area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was really popular during the period we were going there I remember tons of dirt bikes there. The trail returns to Route 511 along the water’s edge. You will notice two large open pits, about 100 feet from the trail. Powered by. The Monksville Dam is visible to the left, with Harrison Mountain in the background. We offer SUP & Kayak rentals, sales, lessons & service. The climb to the summit is easier and less steep if you start by taking the trail to the right and hiking the circular route in the other direction. After crossing a stream, the trail proceeds along a narrow ridge, continues through a rocky area, and descends slightly. Keep campsites small. 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. The Whritenour Mine Trail climbs a rocky hillside to reach a small saddle on the ridgeline then descends to Monksville Reservoir. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Just before reaching the reservoir, the trail turns sharply left and begins to parallel the reservoir. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Know how to use the basic components. South of the bridge is the main part of the reservoir and a north and south boat launch. Free topo maps of the most popular Reservoirs in Passaic County, NJ - with GPS coordinates, pictures, and more. At the southern end of the parking area, a yellow gate with a triple white blaze marks the start of the Monks Trail. GPS Coordinates: 41.136633, -74.301232; For the Wanaque area, take I-287 Exit 57 to Skyline Drive. For the Monks Trail use the access road from Greenwood Lake Turnpike to the North Boat Launch area along the Monksville Reservoir. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Are you getting tired? Take Interstate Route 287 to Exit 57 and continue on Skyline Drive to its western end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood. Follow this side trail, which passes a rocky cedar-studded high point and descends slightly to reach a viewpoint over the Monksville Reservoir in 300 feet. Our home base is Monksville Reservoir in Ringwood NJ. Copyright 2017, Hershel Friedman, all rights reserved.. Picture Window theme. Be prepared for changing weather. Continue ahead along Greenwood Lake Turnpike for another 0.3 mile and turn left into the access road leading to the northern boat launch area for the Monksville Reservoir. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off. Near the base of the descent, the yellow-blazed Highland Meadow Trail joins from the left. The setting is gorgeous with trails along the beautiful mountain creek that feeds the dramatic Monksville reservoir. GPS Coordinates: 41.136633, -74.301232; For the Wanaque area, take I-287 Exit 57 to Skyline Drive. Among these is the Hasenclever Iron Trail, which connects Ringwood Borough with Greenwood Pond via a historic road that was developed to connect the operations of the Long Pond Ironworks. So does cold. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. As the trail continues ahead, the Monksville Reservoir is visible through the trees. Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. As it approaches Greenwood Lake Turnpike, the Monks Trail passes the start of the green-blazed Monks Connector Trail and turns right onto a woods road. (Exceptions are loop hikes.). Take the Greenwood Lake Turnpike east from the intersection with Lakeside Road at the south end of Greenwood Lake. No one ever took any photographs. Do not follow or approach them. Monksville Reservoir has a surface area of 505 acres and spans about three miles from end to end. 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! As the trail levels off at the top of the climb, a side trail -- blazed black-dot-on-white -- leaves to the left. : The red trail once again passed under the transmission lines. The Monksville is open to paddle, sail, and power boats under 10 hp. TRAIL SENSE AND SAFETY Trail Markings Official trails are marked by colored blazes on posts and … Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Loc ated in Long Pond Ironworks State Park, this lake offers abundant aquatic vegetation, standing timber, stumps, shallow coves, and fallen timber. (c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. After a relatively level stretch along the ridge, the trail climbs a little and passes just to the left of a high point on Monks Mountain. It includes 2 boat ramps, picnic area, pier, disabled access, shore fishing, and restroom. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Rt 511/Greenwood Lake Road crosses the reservoir on a long bridge. About a mile from the start, the trail turns right at a T-intersection. Altering a site is not necessary. Wildlife sightings are not uncommon. Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. From Mapcarta, the free map. You’ll also see piles of mine tailings and other smaller pits nearby. As the trail continues ahead, the Monksville Reservoir is visible through the trees. A sunken forest. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. The Monksville Reservoir was built and flooded in the late 1980s, and its dam forms the head of the older and larger Wanaque Reservoir, which is off-limits to paddlers. It climbs a little, crosses a woods road, then turns left and crosses a gas pipeline diagonally to the left. Just beyond the pipeline crossing, as the trail begins to descend, look carefully to the left. Continue along the access road for about 0.2 mile to the parking area. Monksville Reservoir’s steep banks surround you with lush greenery in the spring and summer, and in the fall, the amazing colors of the season make for a scenic kayaking trip. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. I remember tons of trails and a MX style track. For the Monks Trail use the access road from Greenwood Lake Turnpike to the North Boat Launch area along the Monksville Reservoir. Canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats can also be rented. A short distance beyond, it begins a steady descent on a rocky footpath, rather steeply in places, passing a large lichen-covered rock outcrop on the right. easier, less steep going in the other direction, Hiking the Jersey Highlands: Wilderness in Your Back Yard, Welch Trail Education Center Gets a Makeover, Wallkill Puncheon Restoration Project Complete on the Appalachian Trail, Exploring New York’s New 750-Mile, Multi-Use Empire State Trail, From the Executive Director: It Takes a Team to Support Our Mission, Invasives Strike Force EcoQuest Challenge: February 2021 | New York and New Jersey, Finding Less-Traveled Trails Webinar | Webinar. Kayaking Guidebook. Soon, it turns right again on a wider woods road and begins to climb. Keep fires small. Find Hikes and ParksVolunteerMy DashboardNews CenterAbout UsShop, Copyright © 1996-2020 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, www.nynjtc.org | Privacy Policy | Photo CreditsAbout Us    Contact Us    Donate    Join. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Trail climbs a rocky hillside to reach a small saddle on the ridgeline then descends to Monksville Reservoir. Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Along the way, the trail passes a large pit and depression on the hillside. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Visit in small groups when possible. Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. There is a section of the Highlands Trail, and the visitor center has information on the trail to a nearby iron mine site. You’ll be following this trail for the entire hike. Flatwater Paddle Co. 1,287 likes. 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). About a mile from the start, the trail turns right at a … Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes. Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Near the base of the descent, the yellow-blazed Highland Meadow Trail joins from the left. Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. When I was a kid in the early 70's my dad would take me and my friends somewhere near Ringwood NJ to go dirt biking. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. This lake has a maximum depth of 85 feet, with an average depth of 43 feet. It goes under a power line and then crosses a gas pipeline. Follow Hershel Friedman’s hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. 15 High Point State Park is located 0.85 mile west of CS 325, the Monksville Reservoir 2,000 feet the new Compressor 327, Long Pond Ironworks State Park is 0.01 mile southeast of the Compressor 327, Highlands . Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. The trail now begins a steady ascent of Monks Mountain on a winding footpath, climbing about 300 vertical feet in the next quarter of a mile. Monksville Reservoir is a beautiful and serene reservoir located in the New Jersey Highlands, in Long Pond Ironworks State Park. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here. The reservoir is horseshoe-shaped and is about 2-3 miles long. Whether you prefer stand up paddle boarding or kayaking one of our single or tandem kayaks, Flatwater Paddle Co. has just the right equipment to help you have a fabulous day on the water. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging. Monk's Mountain at Monksville Reservoir is an old stand-by when we are short on time (it's not far from us and the one blazed trail takes less than 2 hours). Turn right and proceed for about four miles to Margaret King Avenue. Has the weather turned rainy? There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs. Just ahead, the woods road curves to the left, but you should follow the white-blazed trail as it turns right, leaving the road, and continues on a footpath through the woods. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-jersey/monks-mountain-trail This is an old farm mine acquired by Mathias Whritenour in 1833. Scatter strained dishwater. Did you drink all your water? North of the bridge includes an … Trail Conference volunteers maintain trails in this hike. These are the remnants of the Winston Iron Mine, which was opened shortly after the Civil War and abandoned by 1880. This book contains directions, maps, available paddling distance, depth, expected wildlife spotting, and more. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. Facing south across, Shore of the reservoir near the end of the hike. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north. Here they may be seen cutting across the Monksville Reservoir and heading for the Monksville Dam (a spillway between the Monksville Reservoir and the Wanaque Reservoir). The trail returns to Route 511 along the water’s edge. In a quarter mile, you’ll return to the parking area where the hike began. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. This loop hike passes by remnants of the abandoned Winston Iron Mine and climbs to a viewpoint over the Monksville Reservoir. Tranquility Park is managed by the Palisades Park Commission and includes a network of trails that connect people to adjacent open space tracts. Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Is daylight fading? A short distance ahead, is Stop 2 of the trail, where the stone ruins of a building used to process or store limestone are barely visible on the left. Now return to the main trail and turn left. Long Pond Ironwork’s Monk’s Trail is a 2.5 mile loop trail located near scenic Monksville Reservoir. Unfortunately the view of Harrison Mountain from the Monks Circular Trail is now marred by a huge gash and a power line with 200-ft. transmission towers directly across the reservoir from the viewpoint. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. This is an old farm mine acquired by Mathias Whritenour in 1833. Along the way, the trail passes a large pit and depression on the hillside. The reservoir is surrounded by forest, including hiking trails such as … Observe wildlife from a distance. bridge. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Trailhead is at the far end of parking. Pack it in, pack it out. The lake is a popular destination for swimming, fishing and boating, but in the winter it is deserted, save for a few hikers and people with dogs. View from Atop the Lookout. Kayaking in a lake can be boring at times. People often fish right on the side of the reservoir near the parking lot if you don’t have a boat. Trail, a part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park … Check out some map-reading basics here. The trail now bears right and follows a footpath parallel to the shore of the reservoir. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. South of the bridge is the main part of the reservoir. Paddle the Monksville Reservoir on a SUP or kayak. Flatwater Paddle Co. is located in Long Pond Ironworks State Park, launching their equipment onto the Monksville Reservoir. Yield to other users on the trail. I have been to the Monksville Reservoir area many times, but I never did this very scenic trail before. Trails: Hiking; Mountain biking ... Monksville Reservoir: Known for its trophy size muskellunge, walleye, bass and trout, Monksville Reservoir is heavily used by anglers, sporting clubs and the US Sailing Association. The reservoir is crossed by the Rt 511/Greenwood Lake Rd. It is rich in history. Experience the calm beauty of the Monksville Reservoir on the vessel of your choice. The route is along the ridge on the western and southern side of the reservoir. This trail in Hewitt, New Jersey traces the Hansclever Iron Trail near the Monksville Reservoir. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/new-jersey/monksville-reservoir I believe it's where the Monksville Reservoir is now. Drive a little more than three miles east and park at the visitor's center for the Long Pond Iron works. Monksville Reservoir is about an hour away from New York City, making it … Soon, a short black-dot-on-white-blazed side trail leads left to the parking area at the southern boat launch site, and the Monks Trail turns right. Hiking Trails: Monks Trail: White blaze Monks Trail Lookout: Yellow blaze Total Time: 1:20 hour Estimated Distance: 3 miles Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended Points Of Interest: Nice lake view, historical mine, cactus grove Google Map of Parking: It was a stand-by today as well, but this time because the majority of New Jersey and New York parks are still … Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. The reservoir has a surface area of 505 acres, and spans about three miles from end to end. Cascade of Slid and Halfway Mountain,Harriman Stat... View from the 2nd parking area halfway along the hike. Check the weather forecast before you head out. As one of the largest natural lakes in New Jersey, Swartswood Lake provides opportunities for swimming, canoeing, boating, and more. The Tennessee Gas Northeast upgrade is going through the trail right now. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. After passing a large rock outcrop to the right, the trail levels off. Know the rules and regulations of the area. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. After leveling off in a broad valley, the trail bears right and continues to descend gradually. 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. This large area curves all the way down to the Monksville Dam. Be courteous. Just beyond, you will see two smaller mine openings on the left, which are often flooded. Horse Pond is famous for its scenic route along and above Monksville Reservoir. Overview: The Burnt Meadow Trail is a moderately easy and lightly trafficked 3-mile loop featuring a spectacular view from Horse Pond Mountain of the Monksville Reservoir and Wyanokie Mountains just a short distance from the trailhead. Writing an Invasive Species Management Plan Webinar | Webinar. While not technically part of the park, the Monksville Reservoir is a nice place for a relaxing canoe/kayak ride, and it has excellent fishing. Here, the yellow-blazed Highland Meadow Trail leaves to the left. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail. Never feed animals. The hike to Big Beech Mountain takes you through old Hewitt, up to beautiful views, and can be extended into New York State via the Highlands Trail. Avoid loud voices and noises. The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner. We did a two car hike, parking one car at the Hewitt Butler Trail trailhead on … The easily traversed hiking at the site is worth the visit alone. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. The trail is open. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Luckily in Monksville Reservoir, there are two sunken forests which provide one with a little sense of … The trail continues along the hillside, parallel to the Monksville Reservoir (visible below through the trees). 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. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. The Monksville Reservoir is an artificial lake created in 1987 by damming on the Wanaque River in West Milford, New Jersey.It is named after the former community of Monksville, which was relocated and flooded upon its completion. The access road is just east of the Monksville Reservoir and directly opposite Beech Road. Just beyond, you will see two smaller mine openings on the left, which are often flooded.