Hiking above Monksville Reservoir on Hewitt Butler, Horse Pond, and Burnt Meadow.
7.1 Miles. No facilities. Use Clivus toilet at boat launch area, on left, just before going over the water (when heading west).
There is a visitor center listed on the map down the road, but its actually a museum and hours are only 1-4 pm.
For area hike info and a different route visit our main Long Pond Ironworks page.
Trailhead is a large parking area off, trail is east on the same side of the road, and somewhat hidden.
This hike is very similar to Hike #29 in Hiking the Jersey Highlands. Also, Northern New Jersey Highlands Trails Map #115 (2007 Edition)
Notes: Rugged and somewhat challenging because of the rocks and the up and downs, standard Highlands trail. We did not see another hiker all day – even tho it was a beautiful sunny 75 degree Saturday in September.
Negatives: Road noise marred the first part of the hike, further in than you would think. Then there were dirtbikes close by. Then heavy machinery. It crossed a small road twice.
From the trailhead, Blue (Hewitt-Butler) Trail runs south, concurrent with Highland Trail (Teal Diamond) until the start of White (Horse Ponds Mountain).
The trails are well marked throughout this area, but there are several unmarked trails/roads and while chatting away not paying attention, we got off track 3 times and had to backtrack.
The first mistake was catching the Blue turning right – we continued on the road awhile before we realized it.
The woods road was nice with a view of the water and went thru a very high cut through rock… but this road doesn’t meet up with any other trail according to the map.
We took White/Highlands at the junction with Blue.
Around 2 miles in was a very nice rock outcropping overlooking the horseshoe shape of the reservoir. Here, it was very quiet and we watched the hawks ride the thermals, and some boats in the water below.
Continues south, eventually hits yellow on the right.
We continued, heading downhill for awhile before deciding to turn back. Took yellow. Goes down, very steeply, then levels off.
Watch the blazes, still lots of unmarked trails. Followed around until hit white again, and back to car