Warm Puppy Rock at Ringwood

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.

Map of the Route

Five Ponds Trailhead at the Beginning of the Hike

Five Ponds Trail

Spider Web Along the Trail

Scenes from the Trail

Road to the Botanical Garden

Mount Defiance in the Fog

Trail Near Swan Pond

Swan Pond in the Rain

Ringwood-Ramapo Trail

Approaching Warm Puppy Rock

Warm Puppy Rock

Rock Bridge on the Ringwood-Ramapo Trail

Abandoned House on the Trail