Schedule for May 2021                                                        IHC home page

Sunday     May 2, 2021               Patriots Path—Ralston to Schiff                             Moderately Strenuous

We will follow Patriots Path from Ralston over to Schiff reservation. This requires wading the north branch of the Raritan River. Please bring crocs or some type of water shoe. Schiff, which is an old boy scout reservation is now attached to

McVickers Brook Preserve and we will hike both parks. Total mileage will be 8 miles.

Leaders:    Guy & Jen Percival    973-590-7437    [email protected]

Meet: 9:00 AM     Ralston Cider Mill Museum Parking, 384 Mendham Rd W (Rt-510), Mendham, NJ 07945

From I-80 Exit 27; Rt-206 South: Continue south 7+ miles on Rt-206 to Chester at the light at intersection of Rt-513 (Main St). Stay in left turn lane and turn left, then drive eastward 1 mi to junction with Rt-510 at traffic light. Turn right onto Rt-510. Then drive 2.8 mi to Ralston Cider Mill Museum Parking on right. Keep an eye open once you pass the Ralston Cider Mill on your right, the Museum is next and looks like a private house driveway.

From I-287 Exit 22B; Rt-206 North: Continue north 10 mi to light for Rt-513 (Main St) at Chester. Turn Right on Rt-513, and drive eastward 1 mi to junction with Rt-510 at traffic light. Turn right onto Rt-510. Then drive 2.8 mi to Ralston Cider Mill Museum Parking on right. Keep an eye open once you pass the Ralston Cider Mill on your right, the Museum is next and looks like a private house driveway. GPS (40.7735, -74.6355)

Sunday     May 9, 2021               Butler Reservoir                                                        Moderately Strenuous

Will start at Pyramid Mtn. Hike over to and around Butler Reservoir, then return to Pyramid Mtn visitors center.  Hike is 8.5 miles. Very pretty views of the reservoir but some road walking.

Leaders:    Guy & Jen Percival     973-590-7437    [email protected]

Meet: 9:00 AM     Pyramid Mt. Visitors Center, 472 Boonton Ave, (Rt-511), Boonton Township NJ 07005

From the South: I-287 Exit 45 Wootton Avenue (Boonton): Take first left and go under I-287. Follow Wootton Ave straight up the hill to blinker light. Turn right on Boonton Ave (Rt-511) and continue about 3 miles to Morris County Park parking lot on the left.

From the North: I-287 Exit 52, to Rt-23 north: Go 2 miles north on Rt-23 to Boonton Ave (Rt-511 south). Exit is a right-hand

jug-handle turn. Follow Rt-511 south 4 miles to Morris County Park parking lot on the right. GPS (40.9472, -74.3873)

Sunday     May 16, 2021             Ringwood State Park Hike                                       Moderately Strenuous

This 8-mile hike starts at the Botanical Gardens (Crabapple Vista should be in full bloom along with the Cherries) and quickly ascends the ridge that forms the Ramapo Mts. We will take the Halifax Trail to Bear swamp Lake and circling it, return over Ilgenstein Rock. Another point of interest, the Butler Mine, will be passed on our return to the Gardens.

Leaders:    Mike Roulier    201-522-0259    [email protected]

                  Jill Wilson    973-879-0531    [email protected]

Meet: Ringwood S.P; Skylands Manor Parking Lot A, Morris Rd (End), Ringwood, NJ 07456

From I-287 Exit 55: Go north on Ringwood Ave. (Rt-511) about 7 mi to Sloatsburg Rd; turn right for 2 mi to Skylands sign. Turn right onto Morris Ave, go 1¼ mi to intersection near Manor House, (Eagles Gateway); continue straight 400 ft to parking lot "A" on left, just after gate house. 

From Suffern @ I-87 & I-287 Interchange Exit 15A: Take Rt-17 north 2 mi to Sterling Mine Rd (Rt-72). Right exit at Sterling Mine Rd (becomes Sloatsburg Rd. in NJ), go about 4 mi. Turn left at Skylands Botanical Garden sign, and proceed as above.

GPS (41.1268, -74.2378)

Sunday     May 23, 2021             Bear Mountain & the 1,340 Steps                            Strenuous

There are two historic Revolutionary Forts in this area, we will start with a tour of the ruins of Fort Montgomery (using explanatory diagrams). Next walking past the museum store (with bathrooms, if open) we cross the mouth of Popolopen Creek on the New Hiker Footbridge, (good views) then continue to the base of the Bear Mountain Bridge. After walking the bridge for the views, we continue past Fort Clinton onward to Hessian lake. From its shores we ascend Bear Mountain using the Major Welch trail, (little scrambly at the top) up to the Perkins Memorial Tower, (maybe open). After we view the sights, we descend on the AT using the newly finished 1340 steps and then walk back along the lake and road to the cars.

Bring water, trail snacks, lunch, and strong knees!  About 5 hrs. 7¼ miles    for last minute info call leader.

Leader: Richard Mohovich    201-675-6304    [email protected]

Meet: 10:00 AM Fort Montgomery Overflow Parking on Rt-9W north, 708 Rt-9W, Highland Falls, NY 10928

Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to Rt-9W traffic circle near Bear Mountain Bridge (about 18 miles north of NY State Thruway). At the circle junction go north on Rt-9W about ½ mi across Popolopen Bridge (0.3 mi past Fort Montgomery entrance)

to “Additional parking sign” at end of viaduct just off the east side of Rt-9W.  GPS (41.3283, -73.9877)

Sunday     May 30, 2021             South Sterling Ridge Trail Maintenance                Moderately Strenuous

Sterling Ridge needs some extra help on its southern section. Sara has obtained parking passes so we will start from the north and work south. We will car shuttle to the Visitor center. The hike is 2 miles to the fire tower and then 5.5 miles of clipping to the cars. Tools will be provided, however please bring work gloves.    Shuttle Required

Leader: Sara Van Niekerk    973-489-6442    [email protected]

Meet: 9:00 AM     South end of the Sterling Ridge Trail, 1561 Greenwood Lake Tpk. (Rt-511), Hewitt NJ 07421

From I-287 Exit 55: Take Rt-511 (Ringwood Ave.) (becomes Greenwood Lake Tpk.) north about 11 miles to junction of Greenwood Lake Turnpike and East Shore Drive.) Parking is on the left side of the Road.         GPS Meeting Place (41.1400, -74.3280)

Note! If late or lost see below!

We will shuttle cars to Sterling Forest Visitor Center, 117 Old Forge Rd, Tuxedo Pk, NY 10987   

Drive back (south) on Rt-511 2 mi to Margaret King Rd. Turning Left drive 2¼ mi to Sloatsburg Rd. Turn left and drive 2 mi to Sterling Mine Rd (CR-72) at traffic light. Turn left onto Long Meadow Rd (CR-84). Go north 3½ miles to Sterling Lake Rd (Old Forge Road) on left. Turn left and go ¼ mi taking the next right toward the Visitor's Center which is ¼ mi ahead. The Parking will be opposite the Visitor Center in the hiker parking lot on right side of road.

Shuttle GPS (41.1983, -74.2562)

Sunday     June 6, 2021               IHC Annual Meeting                                                Next schedule

Saturday  June 12, 2021             Rain Date—South Sterling Ridge Trail Maintenance       See May 30, 2021