Blue Mine and Roomy Mine Loop Hike

Wyanokies,
Norvin Green State Forest,
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Highland Trail: Aqua blaze
Wyanokie Circular Trail: Red blaze
Roomy Mine Trail: Orange blaze
Mine Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 3:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.5 Miles

Pros: Historic mines, nice scenery and views
Cons: None

This was a very hot day, perhaps the hottest of the year so far. The sun was out strong, but at least much of the hike was in the shade. I had intended to climb Wyanokie High Point, but due to the high temperatures and the open exposure at Wyanokie High Point, I opted for the circular hike instead.

I parked on Towsend Road, at the Highlands Trail trailhead, and ascending up the mountain, past a burt out zone from a recent forest fire (presumably from last summer or fall.) I then continued to the Blue Mine, an old iron mine similar to the many old mines in the Highlands region and Ramapos. I then took the Mine Trail, to the Roomy Mine Trail and went past the small waterfalls over here.

I then took the Roomy Mine Trail down back to the Blue Mine, and turned around and took the Roomy Mine Trail to the Roomy Mine. I explored this old mine, which is definitely impressive, with a large window-like structure and deep interior which you can climb into.

I continued along the Roomy Trail afterwards west towards the view, and then took the other side of the Roomy Trail back around the top of the ridge above the mine, looping around the mine once more and passing by two more views along the way. I then cut across back up the mine path, and took the Mine Trail back to the Highlands Trail, and then back to my car.

Map of the Route. North Jersey Trails.

Burnt Zone from the Forest Fire along the Highlands Trail

Another Burnt Zone from the Forest Fire

Turkey Vulture Resting Above a Dead Tree

Blue Mine

Me in front of the Blue Mine 

Abandoned Stone Home along the Trail

Budding Flowee

Accumulation of Three Trails along with Mountain Laurels

Toad. (I have never seen as many toads as on this hike!)

Waterfall along the Blue Mine Brook

Another Shot of the Waterfall

Very Large Black Rat Snake I Encountered on the Mine Trail 

Sign Stating Mine Closed in Winter to Protect the Bats

Roomy Mine

Roomy Mine Including "Window"

Inside the Roomy Mine

Descending into the Roomy Mine Pit

Looking out the Window of the Roomy Mine

Looking up from the Roomy Mine

Eastern View from the Roomy Mine Trail

Another Shot from the View

View Towards Wyanokie High Point

Another View of Wyanokie High Point, from the Second View

Another View from the Second View, Above the Roomy Mine

Approaching the Third View

Wanaque Reservoir from the Third View