Great Falls of the Passaic River

National Historical Park
Paterson
Passaic Co, NJ

Total Time: 0:45
Estimated Distance: 1.5 Miles

Pros: Significant, historical waterfall
Cons: Urban area in rough neighborhood
Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/91zRqkivVTFpYCAi9

The Great Falls of the Passaic River is the one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Eastern United States. However, it is situated in the middle of a run down area within a city, and its view is somewhat obstructed by the orientation of the falls. Despite that, it's still very worthwhile to visit as you can feel the share power of the falls.

I parked in the main parking area for the falls, and took the walking trail north of the falls so some old historical warehouses and ruins, including the abandoned Colt (think handguns) factory. I then headed back and past the ampitheater and went on the stairs path to Spruce Street, and then crossed the bridge over the falls to Mary Ellen Kramer Park. I then took the path by Ryle Road down to the Passaic River by the falls. I then turned around and took the route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Falls from the Overlook

Rock Wall South of the Falls

Colt Factory Site

Waterfalls with the Pump House

View from the Top of the Falls

Mary Ellen Kramer Great Falls Park

Passaic River

Top of Falls from the Park

National Historical Park

Reeves Brook to Chipmunk Mountain

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Reeves Brook Trail: Orange blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue blaze
Hillburn-Torne Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:20
Estimated Distance: 3.7 Miles

Pros: Scenic loop, good scramble, and good views
Cons: Very busy at Pine Meadow Trail during weekend
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KkhtTwdowZzihwcf8

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was the first hot-weather hike of the season. We parked at Reeves Meadow in Harriman and took the Reeves Brook Trail. The area is very busy at the start of the hike, but gets very quiet as soon as you reach the Reeves Brook Trail. We took the Reeves Brook Trail steadily up, until reaching the Seven Hills Trail, which has a steep scramble up to a great view. We then ascended up to Chipmunk Mountain, where there is another great view, and took the HTS Trail down to the Pine Meadow Trail which we took back to the beginning of the trail.

Map of the Route

Large Rock on the Reeves Brook Trail

Scramble Up the Seven Hills Trail

Great View Above the Scramble

View at the Chimpmunk Mountain View

Dater Mountain Spring Hike Loop

Dater Mountain Nature Park
Sloatsburg
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Blue Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Nice loop in quiet area with loop
Cons: Sound and view of highway, and power lines in view
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SyJuyUrdbqzbKbpn7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This is a great short hike with a nice loop and good views. However the noise from the very busy Thruway right below for part of the hike removes the peaceful nature. It had been raining in the morning, and the rain had just cleared, but it was still hazy and foggy at the beginning of the hike. As we hiked, the clouds cleared and the sky turned blue. We parked at the Dater Mountain Nature Park log on Johnsontown Road, and took the Orange Trail up to the view and then the top of the mountain. We continued to the end of the trail and met up with the Blue Trail, which we took along the loop to the view over the Thruway. We then continued back to the Orange Trail back to our car.

Map of the Route

Beginning of the Orange Trail

Dater Mountain Nature Park Map at Trailhead

Hazy View at Dater Mountain Nature Park

Summit of the Area

Large Glacial Rocks on the Trail

Nice Rock Chair in the Fallen Tree

Sleater Hill View Over the Thruway and Sloatsberg