New Jersey 1K Club

Pochuck Mountain

Started at cul-de-sac at end of Jenny Layne. There's a dirt trail there - looks like construction vehicles use it to go up the hillside. Took the trail to its end and bushwhacked the remaining 150 yards to the top, crossing an ATV trail on the way up. Obstructed views at the top, but nice and quiet. Backtracked and took the ATV trail down. It joins Jenny Layne about 100 yards from the cul-de-sac, at a low spot on the road. Not obvious until you're on it.

Hasenclever Hill

We set out from Blue Lake in Sterling Forest and followed woods roads to the Black Rock viewpoint. What a great view and a sweet spot for a break and picnic! From there the woods road seemed to have disappeared but the short bushwhack to he southerly most portion of the ridge was easy going. A few Interesting erratics kept the scenery even more interesting. From the high point we bushwhacked a north then northeast route back to Blue Lake and past an old abandoned mine.
All in all, this was a really nice little hike!

Buck Mountain (Kinnelon)

Parked in the lot off Rte 23 at Charlottesburg Road. Walked to Old 23 to Timberbrook Road which becomes Winebago Road. I found the Jersey barriers referenced by Brian Lubbert and started bushwhacking from there. After descending the first hill, I found Brian's ATV trail. This trail passes in the col between Buck Mountain and the 980' rise just to the west of it. Seeing no other options, I bushwhacked to the top of Buck Mountain. Near the top someone had left a few old chairs and other litter around a fire ring. I wish people would pick up their trash :(

The summit is enmeshed in bushes and thorns. I'm glad I was bundled up for the cold (10 F today). The multiple layers of clothing provided relatively good protection. I'm also glad I didn't bring my doggies. I don't think they could have made it through the shrubbery.

On the return, I picked up the ATV trail and followed it south and west, all the way to Winebago Road. This trail joins the road just before the road dips and crosses a stream, about 4/10 mile south of the damn. After the trail passes to the west of Buck Mountain, it continues north, but I don't know where it ends. I thought it might stop at Green Hill Road in Smoke Rise, but it might veer to the northwest and rejoin Winebago Road. Just south of the damn, an ATV trail cuts off to the east, but I did not explore this.

The Tornfell

An easy walk with Ryan.

Took the ATV trail from Jenny Jump Road to the Blue Trail to the summit. "Thanks" to the trail maintainers. Large trees blocking the trail had been cleared and I had a nice walk to the top.

The trail conference map indicates a view point just south of the Tornfell summit. I didn't find the spur trail, so I bushwacked to the "star". Not a great view. The view point just north of the summit was better and was right on the trail.

Ryan and I reached the summit following the ridge for about 30 yards from the south. A fairly easy bushwhack, but everything's easier in January!

Green Pond Mountain

An easy walk from Notch Road to the summit using ATV roads. Did some wandering around at the top. Nobody else here on a chilly January afternoon.

Mount Defiance

A little messy as portions of the trail were wet/muddy but overall a very nice hike in this well traveled park.
We enjoyed strolling the gardens and buildings afterwards.

Jenny Jump Mountain 3

Another lovely hike on a cold, but sunny, winter day. I parked where the Blue Trail starts at Rte 617. It's marked as a parking spot on the Trail Conference map, but it has space for only one car. And with the snow and ice on the side of the road, it was more like a half a spot today! After finishing the walk, I realized I could have parked at the north end of Mountain Lake and had a shorter walk. Well, at least I had time today to check out the woods roads to Jenny Jump 4. The Trail Conference doesn't show them, but there were several going in he right direction. I know it's a short walk to Jenny Jump 4 from where I was, but I was running out of time today. And it's an excuse to re-visit a very pretty area.

The hike up Blue Trail was easy and the bushwhack to the summit was not difficult. I like hiking in the winter! We've not had much snow so the bushwhacking is not hard. I imagine it's not as much fun in the summer time. Another tick-free hike.

Dunker Mountain

An easy walk on a cold, blustery winter day. But no ticks out today! Followed the well-marked Highlands Trail from Rte 23 and Canistear Road.

Kanouse Mountain

A fairly easy walk with nice views at the top. Several easy-to-follow, unmarked trails head toward the top. Saw some litter, not too much. My route was 2.2 miles. Could have made it shorter as an out-and-back, but why? A nice walk might have been to follow the trail to the north, along the west shore of Echo Lake, before looping back.

Mount Newfoundland

A nice, but cold, morning for the hike. Parked on Bigelow Road just before it becomes private. The White (Four Birds) trail is clearly visible there. Just below an old stone wall, an unmarked trail splits off from White. It follows the ridgeline all the way to the high point, whereas Four Birds drops down the mountainside a bit. The trail conference map (#125) shows the woods road veering north, away from Four Birds, but if you continue down it, a short section drops down to rejoin Four Birds near a scenic overlook.