Ringwood State Park
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey
Hiking Trails:
Five Ponds Trail: Pink blaze
Crossover Trail: White blaze
Ringwood-Ramapo Trail: Red blaze
Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.3 Miles
Pros: Scenic, quiet area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QhUh9FdTUDNR4C739
I had been to Ringwood earlier in the year and noticed some newly re-routed trails, and I wanted to explore the area around Warm Puppy Rock. It turns out that the area was very scenic and the view exceeded my expectations for the area. It was also a very quiet area which made this hike very enjoyable.
The weather was rainy, but it wasn't actively raining at the time of the hike but was damp and foggy. I parked at the Parking Area C at Ringwood, and took the Five Ponds Trail north towards Swan Pond, and then took the Crossover Trail to the Ringwood Trail, climbing the mountain to the view at Warm Puppy Rock. It's a big long rock with a strange name, and there is a view facing west on the rock and another, better view facing east a bit past the rock. The foliage was beginning to show nicely as well, enhancing the view.
I continued on the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail, descending the mountain and crossing the mountain bike path, and then crossing the brook on an interesting rock crossing. I then took several unmarked trails through the trail between the road loop, passing an old abandoned structure on the way and then returning back to my car.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Five Ponds Trailhead at the Beginning of the Hike |
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| Five Ponds Trail |
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| Spider Web Along the Trail |
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| Scenes from the Trail |
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| Road to the Botanical Garden |
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| Mount Defiance in the Fog |
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| Trail Near Swan Pond |
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| Swan Pond in the Rain |
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| Ringwood-Ramapo Trail |
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| Approaching Warm Puppy Rock |
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| Warm Puppy Rock |
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| Rock Bridge on the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail |
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| Abandoned House on the Trail |
