Pequannock Knob Loop via Blue Trail

Mountainside Park

East-facing view from Pequannock Knob - Photo by Daniel Chazin East-facing view from Pequannock Knob - Photo by Daniel Chazin

This loop hike climbs to a panoramic viewpoint over northern New Jersey and the New York City skyline.

40.971152, -74.325497

From the kiosk at the northern end of the parking area, climb wooden steps, following the Blue Trail. Almost immediately, you'll reach a junction, where the loop of the Blue Trail begins.  Continue straight ahead to follow the Blue Trail in the counter-clockwise direction. After passing a rock outcrop on the right, a black-dash-on-blue connecting trail begins on the left, but you should bear...

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Trip Reports

rate experience
May 09, 2013
0
Map change suggestion
<p>Watch out for those snakes!<br><br>Thanks for the map suggestion regarding inclusion of a larger-scale inset of this park.&nbsp; We will keep it in mind when we work on a revision to the Jersey Highlands: Central North Region map set!<br><br>~Jeremy, TC cartographer</p>
Jeremy Apgar
May 01, 2013
0
Won't soon forget this one.
<p class="MsoNormal">Did this hike April 28, 2013 in the late morning.&nbsp; No problem with the trail markings.&nbsp; Some damage from the recent storms, but crews obviously worked on it recently.&nbsp; All was well.&nbsp; Yes, the last part of the blue trail is very steep before you reach the summit and the kiosk, but it is moderate overall.&nbsp; The descent on the yellow trail will be one we remember forever.&nbsp; It leaves the summit in a southwest direction, then curves back to the northwest before a sharp left switchback to southwest again.&nbsp; Right after the switchback we encountered what we are entirely certain was a timber rattlesnake, perhaps four or more feet long, on the left side of the trail. &nbsp;He expressed his displeasure with us, but let us pass without incident.&nbsp; A few yards further there was a different snake – black and about 18 inches long -- sunning himself on a log, also on the left side.&nbsp; He darted off into the brush as we went by.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just a thought, but the conference might want to consider doing a larger-scale inset of this park on the next 125 map. &nbsp;I think it is potentially popular and the network of trails is complex for the small area of the park, and the current scale shows none of the landmarks. &nbsp;The Pequannock Township Parks web page has a map that was done as an Eagle Scout project that has most, but not all, of the landmarks and most, but not all, of the trails. &nbsp;I didn't see the link on this page to the conference's park map dedicated to this park, which is the best of all, but there are still a landmarks that could be added. &nbsp;Seems like every summer the scouts add something new.</p>
Tuna Boat Bill
June 29, 2012
0
Mountainside Park
<p>Mountainside Park is newly adopted by the NYNJTC, and&nbsp;our team of volunteers has&nbsp;done wonders in reblazing and refurbishing as conditions required. I'm sure that the only trail that you found in need of Maintenance was the section of the Blue Trail as it climbed Pequannock Knob. We have a newly appointed volunteer to care for this section&nbsp;and we're aware that it needs clipping and extensive rebuilding to bring it to "NYNJTC Standards", but it is well marked and easy to follow.</p> <p>&nbsp;As to your other comment, it's true that this trail system has numerous "up's and down's", as one traverses this glaciated landscape, but most hikers would consider it "Moderate", and I think that difficulty rating is appropriate for a hiker in reasonably good&nbsp;health.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Glad that you enjoyed our Bear.</p>
Bob
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