At just 1,000 feet in elevation and 200 feet of prominence, the Tornfell just barely qualifies as a New Jersey high peak. But do not be fooled by its meager size, for this godforsaken mound of rock is shrouded in impenetrable blowdown and capped with bloodthirsty pricker bushes. Even some of the most dedicated NJ1K hikers have cursed this hill, wishing it were never discovered.
Elevation | 1000 |
Decimal degrees | 40.9052, -74.9468 |
County | Warren |
Ownership | public |
Owner | Jenny Jump State Forest |
Topo map | Acme Mapper |
Nearest higher neighbor | Jenny Jump Mountain 2 |
Returned to the parking lot after JJ2 and hiked the ~1.5 miles out to the Tornfell. trail easy but overgrown in some areas with prickers sticking out. Not ideal to wear shorts but not too bad. Was able to avoid a lot of the prickers that surround the summit. Doubled back to the parking lot to get JJ1.
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!
From JJ4 to here about 90 min. Summit at 19:25. Rt 80 is roaring. Photo from lookout to the SW
Typical summer thicket. —Jeff Bennett
More thicket and summit cliffs. —Jeff Bennett
Delaware Water Gap from lookout (Blue Trail Spur) —William Maurer (Hoosier)
Summit carin and thorns —William Maurer (Hoosier)
Woods road near Hope-Great Meadow Road —Greg Bubniak
Summit cairn —Greg Bubniak
The infamous briars on The Tornfell resemble this patch. Not impenetrable, but you will feel some pain. —Greg Bubniak
Patrick and Thomas Bubniak at the summit. —Thomas Bubniak