Monks Trail Loop,Monksville Reservoir

Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Monks Trail: White blaze
Monks Trail Lookout: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Nice lake view, historical mine, cactus grove

Google Map of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

This looks like a shorter and simpler hike on the map than reality. Also the top spur to the lookout is missing on my 2002 map edition, and the Monks Trail is not listed as a loop. I really need to update my maps of this area. I parked the car at the boat launch at the Monksville Reservoir, and walked up to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, where I went to catch the Lookout Trail. On the map it shows this trail starts here, but in fact it now starts at the end of the parking area and forms a complete loop, ending at the same point where it starts. I went along the trail to the Winston Mine, and explored a little bit around here. Then continued along the trail to the other side of the Monksville Reservoir, where there is a different parking area. At this point the trail climbs steeply up the mountain, and there is a spur on top to a beautiful view. At this view is a nice cactus grove. I then went back to the Monks Trail and continued along down to the mountain, and then alongside the reservoir near the end of the trail.

Map of the Route.
Note the USGS Map was mapped prior to the
creation of the Monksville Reservoir, so I artificially added it in Photoshop.

Main pit of the Winston Mine

Another large pit in the Winston Mine

View from the 2nd parking area halfway along the hike.

Ditto

View from Atop the Lookout. Facing south across
the Monksville Resrervoir

Same view with broader perspective

Some sort of hut on top by the lookout.

Cactus Grove at the Summit.
The cacti are withered this time of year.

Shore of the reservoir near the end of the hike
where the trail makes its final descent.