Turkey Mountain

This past Monday I hiked Turkey Mountain which is part of the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area. I was already a little familiar with area from hiking Pyramid Mountain and already had the trail map so I wasted no time getting to the start of the trail. I began my journey on the Yellow Trail which started off relatively easy but was loaded with mosquito's from a nearby swamp. After being on the trail for sometime I passed by the ruins of what looked like on old shed. After inspecting the ruins I continued on the Yellow Trail toward the Limestone Quarry. The trail started to get a little difficult at this point with a pretty steep climb. I wasn't 100% sure if I saw the Limestone Quarry but if i did it was nothing special. Next I came across Botts Pond which I got to by going off the trail down a hill.

Botts Pond was a nice spot to rest and grab a drink but beware of all the mosquito's and other insects that are lingering around this wet area. While I didn't see any fish in the water I did see plenty of tadpoles darting around. After my rest I climbed back up the hill and continued back on the Yellow Trail. This part of the hike was rather boring with not much to see and for a good portion your are hiking next to a road and even have to cross over the road. As I approached the Scenic Overlook I spotted some interesting wildlife. I saw what I believe is an eastern garter snake and a toad.

The Toad was very tolerant and let me get several photos from different angles. Once the toad went on his way I did the same and continued on the Red Trail to see the Stone Ruins. After hiking on the Red Trail I turned left on the Green Trail and saw the Stone Ruins. There are two sites with ruins in this area, with one being much easier to find than the other.

This location also offered a scenic overlook which was nice but was obscured by power lines. Although it was hard to see there is a view of the NYC skyline.

From the Green Trail I hiked towards the 100 steps on the Blue Trail which leads back to the visitors center. This part was the least interesting and you are hiking underneath power lines. The 100 steps weren't bad going down but I could imagine they would be much worse going up. Although Turkey Mountain is a less traveled hike than Pyramid Mountain there is a reason why and that reason is that it is rather boring. However if you don't want to be around many people this is a good hike.

Pyramid Mountain

A few weeks ago I went to Pyramid Mountain in Boonton New Jersey. Upon entering the visitors center parking area I picked up a trail map and planned out my hike. I started on the Blue trail which started off with a walk over a nice footbridge and a small stream. After a small uphill climb I picked up the White trail and walked on boardwalks over a wet marshy area. Once I was out of the open wet area I passed by the Ruins of the Morgan Place which wasn't that exciting and was also crawling with bugs due to Bear Swamp. Luckily Bear Rock was only a short ways down the trail which I was looking forward to seeing.

Bear Rock is a glacial erratic which is a rock that is different from the size and type of rocks native to where it rests. According to the trail map Bear Rock is one of New Jersey's largest glacial erratic and was deposited there by the Wisconsin Glacier over 18,000 years ago. Bear Rock really is enormous and deserves to be admired, it is easily one of if not the biggest rocks i have ever seen. After studying the rock and imagining what the Lenape might have used it for hundreds of years ago I exited the swamp and began the first difficult climb of the hike. The climb up the trail was fairly short but exhausting and required the use of both hands to scramble over some rocks. At the top of the climb I headed left toward Tripod Rock which Pyramid Mountain is most known for.

Tripod Rock is also a glacial erratic and as the name implies it is a huge boulder resting on three much smaller boulders. Tripod Rock really makes this hike special, as it truly is a wonder of nature and is very fascinating.When I was finished with Tripod Rock I continued on the White trail to the first scenic overlook and to pick up the Orange trail. The scenic overlook gave a view of the Taylortown Reservoir and was a very relaxing welcomed sight.

Next I continued on the Orange trail which followed alongside the reservoir which offered many great sights along the way. This part of the hike was one of my favorites due to being so close to the reservoir which I really enjoyed. After finish the Orange trail i picked up the yellow trail which took me back the Blue Trail where I started at the visitors center. Even though Pyramid Mountain is a very interesting hike with lots to see I would warn you not to go on the weekend because I could imagine it being very crowded with other hikers hanging around certain spots.