Buck Mountain is the highest mountain in the Wyanockies.
There are many named mountains in the Wyanockies such as Saddle Mountain, Hi-Point, and Carris Hill, but none satisfies our col requirements. Buck Mountain is the reason why.
Buck Mountain is a long north-south ridge in Norvin Green State Park. The ridge is flat, but has interesting rock outcroppings and glacial erratics. The climb up Buck is steep from Otter Hole, but rewards you with good southerly views. Combine Buck Mountain with Wyanockie Torne for a peakbagging two-fer.
Elevation | 1240 |
Decimal degrees | 41.0588, -74.3551 |
County | Passaic |
Ownership | public |
Owner | Norvin Green State Forest |
Topo map | Acme Mapper |
Nearest higher neighbor | Bearfort Lookout |
Clear skies. 20 degrees. No snow on the ground but trail was icy in some spots. I took the Highlands Trail south from Townsend road in Ringwood. Followed the red trail when it split. Then orange to yellow. Bushwhacked to the green trail that leads to snake den road, weis center and the natural pool. Trees along the road back to my car. About 8 miles by my calculations. Had my dog nugget with me.
Good view after the steep acent.... actual summit is crazy dull, trail is overgrown In the scramble part
Parked at Otter Hole, followed blue Hewitt-Butler trail heading north, joined Otter Hole trail, veered west onto yellow Wyanokie Crest trail for a while, turned right onto red and white Wyanokie Circular Trail, and turned back onto green Otter Hole trail to eventually retrace our steps back to the parking lot. Great ~4 mile loop with a fun scramble up Buck Mountain early on in the trip.
Torne Mountain as seen from Buck Mountain. —Eric Koppel
Taken from a viewpoint on Buck Mountain. —Eric Koppel
Climbing up through deep powder. —Eric Koppel
Rock face on way up —jon
First scenic view point —jon
Second Scenic viewpoint —jon
One of several cairns we found on and around the summit —jon