Hike Reviews

January 03, 2019
0
Crossover Trail is being rerouted
Daniel Chazin
<p>Thanks for your comments!&nbsp; I will revisit the area and look into changing the wording as you have suggested.&nbsp; With regard to the very wet section of the Crossover Trail south of Morris Road, that should change soon.&nbsp; The Jersey Off-Road Bicycle&nbsp;Association (JORBA) is in the process of building a new and improved route for the Crossover Trail north of Morris Road, and when the new trail is completed, the trail section south of Morris Road will be abandoned.</p>
January 02, 2019
3
A nice hike for a winter day...
jwrushman
Notlepats on 9/12/16 commented on a bridge being out. No bridges out today and I found the description of the trailhead to be spot on. I've done variations on this hike twice in the past 4 months. The only description I found confusing was how to exit Skylands Manor. It says "double blaze seems to indicate a right turn into the parking area, but you should instead bear left and then immediately turn right...". Although this is correct, I think there are better landmarks. I'd eliminate the wording "bear left" but say something like "follow the road to the right (don't go into the parking lot)". The White Crossover trail was quite wet near Morris Road. I wonder if, instead of paralleling the Cupsaw Brook south of Morris Road, the trail could be rerouted to the north side of Morris Road and avoid some of the marsh.
September 12, 2016
0
Good Hike
notlepats
<p>This was a pretty good hike, nice and long and passes through interesting areas. It took us a while to find the trail heads, which are literally those first two bridges visible from the parking area. The second bridge is still out (seriously? it's been 6 years!!) but can be easily gotten around by crossing a small creek, there are plenty of rocks to step on, or you can take your shoes off and cross, it is only 3 feet deep.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The trail seemed like it hadn't been hiked by anybody in along time, lots of spider webs across the pathways and in parts was almost overgrown. It was still well marked. The views were really nice. Like another commenter said, you can definitely hear the skeet shooting through most of it, at least on a satruday afternoon. I would recommend this hike, but bring lots of bug spray and watch out for the muddy swampy areas. I may have fallen on my butt once or twice :)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Also wanted to add that the coordinates above took us to a random house 15 minutes away from Ringwood Manor. I would just use "Ringwood Manor" in your GPS and then follow signs to Parking Lot B where the trailheads are.</p>
November 08, 2015
0
Bridge
SweetAzn
<p>By any chance do you know if the bridge has been replaced now?</p>
July 29, 2013
0
hike update
wkmaier
<p>We did this hike yesterday, even though the trail is officially closed due to the pipeline construction.&nbsp; Once the trail is open again, I suspect it will get some TLC from the volunteers, though the trail markings were pretty good.&nbsp; The second wooden bridge at the trailhead is blocked, but can be used by a determined hiker.&nbsp; I also want to note, the trail blazes once you reach Skylands Manor/Park, are correct.&nbsp; You should bear right and past the Welcome Booth in order to see the concrete eagles, and pick up the trail back to RIngwood.&nbsp; We had to ask a Park police officer, and at the Welcome Booth, as we could not find the eagles and were wandering around for 30-45 mins.</p>
August 13, 2012
0
Great hike but
MLC Montclair
<p>A great workout with a chance to stop and tour the spectacular NJ Botanical gardens as well. &nbsp; The detailed trail directions are perfect too. &nbsp;However, &nbsp;I would find a way to avoid the area around Shepherd Lake on days when the skeet shooting range is open. &nbsp;The range emits irritatingly high levels of noise pollution lasting for approximately 1 hour on approach to the lake and 1 hour on departure. &nbsp;Check with the park people in advance to see if the skeet facility is operating to make sure the noise doesn't ruin your day.&nbsp;</p> <p>As an aside, I was surprised that there was a skeet shooting range in a state park. &nbsp;Given New Jersey's budget concerns and the resources necessary to maintain a facilty for what must be a &nbsp;small number of &nbsp;skeet shooters, &nbsp;I'm amazed it's still operating with state funds. &nbsp;</p>
September 26, 2010
0
Amazing workout and wonderful panoramas
ulta
The views that we enjoyed on this hike in Ringwood State Park was a day well spent. We started late (around 2 PM), and with the number of breaks that we took (quite a lot of them), it took us a good 5 hrs to finish this hike. We spent alteast 45 minutes in Shepherd Lake which was one of the most refreshing sites during the hike. The hike to Mount Defiance was definitely worth it as well. Kudos to the original author on the precise directions.