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WARNING/DISCLAIMER: Hiking can be dangerous and the information furnished below may contain errors! |
Wyanokie High Point Hike
Total Distance:
approximately 6 miles
Difficulty: medium+ (hilly, about 700' gain)
Estimated hiking time: 4.5 - 5 hours (individuals), -> 6 (groups)
Starting at the Parking area for the Weis Ecology Center, walk uphill along Snake Den Road (not the direction you came from). Continue straight onto the gravel/dirt road where Snake Den Road turns sharply left (and uphill). Towards the end of the dirt road, take the Otter Hole Trail (OH, medium/light green blazes) which veers to the right off the road.
At some point the Highlands Trail (blue diamond) will merge. Follow the combined Otter Hole / Highlands tail until the Otter Hole trail ends. Continue to follow the Highlands trail, now coinciding with the Hewitt-Butler trail (HB, blue blazes) trail. When you reach the Post Brook Trail (PB, white blazes) make a right onto it and take it about a quarter-mile until Chikahoki Falls on your right. (This is a nice spot to have a snack). Retrace your steps back to the Hewitt-Butler trail and make a right onto it.
At some point you will meet the red blazed Wyanokie Circular trail (WCI). Make a right onto the WCI trail You will still be following the blue diamond Highlands Trail. At Wyanokie High Point, eat lunch!
Take the WCI trail (red blazes) down the far side of High Point to start the trip back t the car. Stay on the WCI trail until it emerges into someone's backyard. Keep walking straight until you get to Snake Den Road. Make a left and in a short while you will see the Weis Ecology Center parking area on the right.
REFERENCES: NY-NJTC Map #115 (North Jersey Trails)
Other Useful Information
We are meeting, promptly, at 8:00am in front of TBA. Drivers should double park their cars in front of the building (please gas up BEFORE coming). All passengers are expected to contribute their fair share towards gas, parking fees, and tolls! We will return to the city in mid to late afternoon. Rain cancels the trip.
Driving Directions to the Weis Ecology Center
The trail head parking area is at the entrance to the
Weis Ecology Center (973/835-2160).From NYC take the George Washington Bridge to Route 80 West. Take Route 80 about 26+ miles to exit 43, exit at exit 43 then take exit 43B, the exit for Route 287 North (stay to the right after taking exit 43). Take Route 287 North for about 13 miles until exit 55 (Wanaque / Pompton Lakes) for Route 511.
Take Route 511 North. Route 511 is a tricky route and you must carefully watch for the Route 511 signs (signs for the Weis Ecology Center can also be followed). You will drive about 4 miles and be looking for West Brook Road (on the left). There may also be a sign for the Weis Ecology Center (follow Weis Ecology Center signs if in doubt). Turn left onto this road and bear left.
You are now looking for Snake Den Road which should be the second left after passing Stonetown Road (at the fork) on your right and Townsend Road on the left (just before Snake Den Road - the sign may be missing). Follow Snake Den Road (keeping to the left) until you come to the parking field (on the right) for the Weis Ecology Center. (Do not turn onto Dale Road.). Park in this field. The parking area (GPS: N 41.06989, W 074.32180) is about 2.7 miles from the left you made from Route 511 onto West Brook Road.
The total driving time is estimated at about 1.25 hours without traffic and is about 54 miles.
Questions:
Michael Brochstein|
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Chikahoki Falls |
Highlands Trail blaze |
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View from Wyanokie High Point (October 2004) |
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Last revision: 8/16/2007
