Hike #8 - Bearfort Ridge in Abram S Hewitt State Forest
I can't believe it is August and we've only had two hikes so far this season, we'll do our best to make up the time before the snows. Also, feedback has come in that not everyone is available on Sunday's so we'll begin to alternate between Saturday's and Sunday's whenever possible.
Our 4th hike of the season will be in West Milford, NJ at 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 19th. Lou and some other regulars in the group have completed this hike before and it is a fan favorite. The hike clocks in just under 8 miles in length with a nice 1260 feet of elevation gain. It has some minor but fun rock scrambles, great views of both Greenwood Lake and Surprise Lake, potential views for the NYC skyline, and lovely hiking terrain on a ridge line spotted with the often sought after scrub pine.
Parking is limited, so be sure to let us know if interested in advance. The specifics:
(Please bring a printed copy of the map linked above)
Start on the white-blazed Bearfort Ridge Trail begins just off of Warwick Turnpike. After a few minutes of hiking, it quickly turns uphill, with over 600 feet of elevation gain in about a mile. The first hill encountered is nominal, but the second you have to work for with an extended period of 15% grade or so. There is also a minor rock scramble at the top to add to the enjoyment.
The next two miles have minimal elevation gains and some obstructed views of the surrounding hillsides. Around the 2.6-mile mark, there is an interesting rock ledge/chasm to traverse. Soon after, there are good views of the distant rolling hills and eventually, just before the trail ends, you can see a portion of the NYC skyline on a clear day.
A few feet after the 3.0-mile mark, turn left (northwest) onto the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail. This is a fabulous trail with lots of variety. First up is a quick detour taking the West Pond Overlook Spur to its namesake. Enjoy a great view from a rocky ledge just south of the pond.
Head back to the main trail and head northwest again, tackling a minor but tricky rock scramble and then turn northeast at approximately the 3.5-mile mark. Ernest Walter Trail continues for 0.7 miles across mostly flat terrain. Despite the mellow grade, it's still an interesting traversing sections of exposed bedrock that passes many odd-looking scrub pines.
Ernest Walter Trail ends (for now) when intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. Here, turn right (headed northbound) on the AT for about a half a mile, then turn right (south) onto State Line Trail, a rugged, rocky singletrack that goes straight downhill. At the overall 5.25-mile mark, start to look for the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail again. This can be tricky to find, and more than one hiker has continued down State Line Trail too far, only to have to head back up this steep hill.
Back on Ernest Walter Trail, it's a quick uphill climb that eventually reaches a superb viewpoint after ascending an open rock face. The view is of the central and southern portions of Greenwood Lake and Fox Island. On clear days, you can spy the tops of the tallest skyscrapers in Manhattan.
After a gradual descent of about 0.5 miles, arrive at Surprise Lake. Swimming is prohibited here, but many people seem to ignore the restriction. Don't be one of them!
The orange-blazed Quail Trail bears left just after leaving Surprise Lake and it gradually descends from the northern ridges of the State Forest. It's a wide singletrack without views and fanfare, but still a very nice hike in the woods. It's a little wet all-year round and very wet in the rainy seasons. It is also a welcome respite after completing other challenging trails in the park.
Quail Trail continues for 2.5 miles, almost directly to the parking area. It's easy to miss, but be sure to find the white-blazed Bearfort Ridge Trail off to the right at about the 8.15 overall mile mark. If you start to descend to Warwick Turnpike and you're not back on the white blazes, you missed it.
Mileage and Blazes
Parking Note and Directions
As always, a GPS is best. 85 Warwick Turnpike is an approximate, use coordinates *41.155770, -74.362864* if possible.
Parking is a small turnout on the northbound side of the road. There are other turn-out parking spaces both east and west of the trail head, but that means you'll have to hoof it a few minutes to get to the trail's start.
Restrooms
None. There are some gas stations on Route 511, the closest one an Exxon at the intersection of Lakeside Road, less than a mile from the trail head.
Our 4th hike of the season will be in West Milford, NJ at 9:00 AM on Sunday, August 19th. Lou and some other regulars in the group have completed this hike before and it is a fan favorite. The hike clocks in just under 8 miles in length with a nice 1260 feet of elevation gain. It has some minor but fun rock scrambles, great views of both Greenwood Lake and Surprise Lake, potential views for the NYC skyline, and lovely hiking terrain on a ridge line spotted with the often sought after scrub pine.
Parking is limited, so be sure to let us know if interested in advance. The specifics:
- Follow Our Route on Your Phone with the free Hiking Project App
- Difficulty – Moderate to almost Challenging. The initial climb is fairly steep, 600ft in about a mile, but nothing too terrible thereafter.
- Length – 7.8 Miles (though we can extend 2 miles if anyone is interested)
- Elevation Gain – Total of 1,260 ft
- Expected Duration – 4-5 hours
- Park Trail Map - Via NJ Parks and Forest
- Our Route - Via Take a Hike
- Parking Location – 85 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ (41.155770, -74.362864). 85 Warwick Turnpike is an approximate, see note below
(Please bring a printed copy of the map linked above)
Start on the white-blazed Bearfort Ridge Trail begins just off of Warwick Turnpike. After a few minutes of hiking, it quickly turns uphill, with over 600 feet of elevation gain in about a mile. The first hill encountered is nominal, but the second you have to work for with an extended period of 15% grade or so. There is also a minor rock scramble at the top to add to the enjoyment.
The next two miles have minimal elevation gains and some obstructed views of the surrounding hillsides. Around the 2.6-mile mark, there is an interesting rock ledge/chasm to traverse. Soon after, there are good views of the distant rolling hills and eventually, just before the trail ends, you can see a portion of the NYC skyline on a clear day.
A few feet after the 3.0-mile mark, turn left (northwest) onto the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail. This is a fabulous trail with lots of variety. First up is a quick detour taking the West Pond Overlook Spur to its namesake. Enjoy a great view from a rocky ledge just south of the pond.
Head back to the main trail and head northwest again, tackling a minor but tricky rock scramble and then turn northeast at approximately the 3.5-mile mark. Ernest Walter Trail continues for 0.7 miles across mostly flat terrain. Despite the mellow grade, it's still an interesting traversing sections of exposed bedrock that passes many odd-looking scrub pines.
Ernest Walter Trail ends (for now) when intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. Here, turn right (headed northbound) on the AT for about a half a mile, then turn right (south) onto State Line Trail, a rugged, rocky singletrack that goes straight downhill. At the overall 5.25-mile mark, start to look for the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail again. This can be tricky to find, and more than one hiker has continued down State Line Trail too far, only to have to head back up this steep hill.
Back on Ernest Walter Trail, it's a quick uphill climb that eventually reaches a superb viewpoint after ascending an open rock face. The view is of the central and southern portions of Greenwood Lake and Fox Island. On clear days, you can spy the tops of the tallest skyscrapers in Manhattan.
After a gradual descent of about 0.5 miles, arrive at Surprise Lake. Swimming is prohibited here, but many people seem to ignore the restriction. Don't be one of them!
The orange-blazed Quail Trail bears left just after leaving Surprise Lake and it gradually descends from the northern ridges of the State Forest. It's a wide singletrack without views and fanfare, but still a very nice hike in the woods. It's a little wet all-year round and very wet in the rainy seasons. It is also a welcome respite after completing other challenging trails in the park.
Quail Trail continues for 2.5 miles, almost directly to the parking area. It's easy to miss, but be sure to find the white-blazed Bearfort Ridge Trail off to the right at about the 8.15 overall mile mark. If you start to descend to Warwick Turnpike and you're not back on the white blazes, you missed it.
Mileage and Blazes
- 3.0 Miles - Bearfort Ridge Trail - White Blaze
- 1.0 Miles - Ernest Walter Trail (bear left onto) - Yellow Blaze
- 0.8 Miles - Appalachian Trail (bear right onto) - White Blaze
- 0.5 Miles - Ernest Walter Trail (bear right onto) - Yellow Blaze
- 2.5 Miles - Quail Trail (bear left onto) - Orange Blaze
Parking Note and Directions
As always, a GPS is best. 85 Warwick Turnpike is an approximate, use coordinates *41.155770, -74.362864* if possible.
Parking is a small turnout on the northbound side of the road. There are other turn-out parking spaces both east and west of the trail head, but that means you'll have to hoof it a few minutes to get to the trail's start.
- 287 North to Exit 55 Toward Passaic County 511/Wanaque/Pompton Lakes
- Turn right onto 511 (Passaic Ave) and follow 4 miles
- Passaic Ave / 511 becomes Greenwood Lake Turnpike / 511 and follow 9.8 miles
- Greenwood Lake Turnpike becomes Union Valley Road / 513 for 0.2 miles
- Bear right onto Warwick Turnpike for 0.4 miles and parking is on the right.
Restrooms
None. There are some gas stations on Route 511, the closest one an Exxon at the intersection of Lakeside Road, less than a mile from the trail head.
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