Otter Hole and Torne Mountain

Norvin Green State Forest
Wyanokies
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Hewitt-Butler Trail: Blue blaze
Torne Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:15 minutes
Estimated Distance: 1.8 miles

Pros: Waterfall, nice scramble, and very good views
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Josef Friedman

This was a perfect short hike. It was raining earlier in the day, and was still damp, so kept this hike shorter than usual. We parked at the parking area past the pond at Otter Hole Road, and took the Hewitt-Butler Trail north for a short distance to the Otter Hole. This is a small waterfall that was quite strong with all the recent rains.

We then turned around, crossed the road, and headed up Torne mountain on the Hewitt-Butler Trail. This trail has several good views along rock ledges. We then took the more difficult spur at the short split, and headed on the Torne Trail. We took this short trail in its entirety back to Otter Hole Road, and then walked a short distance along the side of the road at the pond back to our car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Marker at the Parking Area for the Hewitt-Butler Trail

Wild Stream Crossing before Approaching the Otter Hole

Otter Hole Waterfall

Upper Cascade of the Otter Hole Waterfall

Vertical View of the Otter Hole Waterfall

Right Cascade of the Otter Hole Waterfalls

Freshly Bloomed Trees on Torne Mountain

First View on Torne Mountain

Exposed Bedrock on Torne Mountain

Approaching the Expansive View

View on Torne Mountain Facing South

View on Torne Mountain Facing South, Zoomed Out

Me at the Above View

View Descending Torne Mountain

Rocky Outcrop and View at Torne Mountain

Lonesome Evergreens at the Torne Mountain Outcrop

Split of the Easy and Difficult Trail Spurs

Starting the Main Descent of Torne Mountain

View Facing Southeast Towards Riverdale and the Quarry

Zoomed out at the Above View

Me at the Above View

Rocky Descent on the Butler-Hewitt Trail

Josef at the Intersection of the Torne and Butler-Hewitt Trail

Pond at the End of the Torne Trail at Otter Hole Road

Kakiat Mountain and Waterfall Spring Loop

Kakiat County Park/
Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Old Mill Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.4 miles

Pros: Good climb with scenic view and waterfalls
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Josef Friedman

It was another delightful spring day with warm weather, though after our hike it began raining. We parked in the main parking area at Kakiat, crossed the Mahwah River bridge, and then took the Mountain Trail up the mountain. We cut across the switchback by the lower view, and then climbed to the summit view at Kakiat. We then continued along the Mountain Trail beyond the power lines and then down to the Kakiat Trail.

We took the Kakiat Trail down as it goes through the valley between Kakiat Mountain and Cobus Mountain. After crossing the gas line, we cut a short distance to the stream towards the Kakiat waterfalls. There had been plenty of rain lately so the waterfalls were very strong. We cut back to the Kakiat Trail, and at the bottom of the mountain cut through on the very short connector to the Old Mill Trail, which we took back to the car.

Map of the Route

Start of the Mountain Trail

Mountain Trail at the Foot of the Mountain

Near the Top of the Mountain

View at the Top of Kakiat Mountain

Josef at the Top Rock at Kakiat

View from Kakiat Facing North Towards Cobus

View from Kakiat Facing Southeast with the NYC Skyline in the Distance

Me at the Top of Kakiat

Sweeping View from the top of the Ramapo Escarpment

Me at the Top

The Upper Waterfall at Kakiat

The Lower Waterfall at Kakiat

Indian Hill Sterling Forest Spring Loop

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Indian Hill Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
Warbler Trail: Green/Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Short hike with scenic view
Cons: None

The weather was beautiful in the upper 60's. I was short on time so this was a perfect hike at 2 miles at about an hour. This hike features very nice views and pretty scenery. I parked at the trailhead at the dirt road off Orange Turnpike, at the Indian Hill Loop Trail terminus. I took the Indian Hill Loop southward, up the hill, to the view. I then continued along the trail to the recently blazed Warbler Trail, which goes along the side of a very pretty pond. I then continued along this trail back to the other end of the Indian Loop Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Kiosk at the Trailhead, with the Warning about Hiking in Hunting Season

Start of the Indian Hill Trail

View at Indian Hill, Facing Southwest

Zoomed out from the Above View

Portrait Orientation at the Above View

Above View Framed by Evergreen Pine Trees

Me at the Above View

The Next View, Facing South

Large Rock Face and Pine Tree Along the Indian Hill Trail

Odd Tree Formation on Indian Hill

View Facing South

View Facing East

Beginning of the Warbler Trail

Newly Sprouted Spring Greenery

Pond at the Warbler Trail, from the Dam

Another View of the Pond

Sunfish in the Pond. This Pond is Loaded with Fish!

Flowering Trees at the Pond

Zoomed in to the Flowers

Another View of the Tree Flowers and the Pond