ABOUT THE PARK: National Park Service
TRAIL MAP: NY/NJ Trail Conference Kittatinny Trails Map #121
PARKING DIRECTIONS:
I-80 to New Jersey exit 1, north on Old Mine Road for 7.5 miles, parking on left.
NEW JERSEY 1K CLUB PEAKS: Catfish Mountain
HIKE DIRECTIONS:
Great hike at Delaware Water Gap NRA. Very few people there so lots of solitude, waterfalls, views, swamps and ponds. The hike is 11.6 miles.
From the parking lot cross Old Mine Road to the trailhead. The red-blazed Copper Mines Trail goes straight. To the left is an unmarked trail that goes along waterfalls to a mine. Out and back is only .25 miles so we did that first.
Take the red-blazed Copper Mine Trail until you reach the white-blazed Appalachian Trail at about 2.5 miles. This trail is very scenic and even though it is a steep uphill, you barely notice there is so much to look at.
When you reach the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, turn left, go over a bridge then cross a gravel road and continue on. This stretch seems really boring after the waterfalls but once the views start, they keep getting better.
At 5.3 miles you reach the Catfish Fire Tower which is the summit of Catfish Mountain if you are peakbagging. You can go up the fire tower for better views.
Continue on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail 1/2 mile then turn left on an unmarked gravel road. After about 1/4 of a mile, turn left on the orange-blazed Rattlesnake Swamp trail at 6 miles.
You'll reach Catfish Pond at about 7.9 miles.
At 8.2 miles, leave the orange trail turning right on an unmarked trail. This trail turns into a gravel road which goes through the AMC Mohican Outdoor Center. Continue on the gravel road until you meet up with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail at 9 miles. Turn right and cross back over the bridge you crossed earlier. In just a few feet turn right on the red-blazed Copper Mine Trail and follow that back to the parking lot. From the far side of the parking lot, you can get a nice view of the Delaware River.
LITTER REPORT:
Only one plastic bottle and one napkin which we packed out.
Dear Ms. Wagstaff,
ReplyDeleteThank you for an excellent presentation, with information for all who come after you.
Leroy
Budd Lake, NJ
Cool pooch. Great area. Love it. Possible new route to try. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRB
Instead of hiking, is there a road that takes you up to Catfish Firetower?
ReplyDeletehey man took this hike today had to park 1.5 miles away thoe haha so it made it 15 miles but thank u for posting this hell of a hike i recomend this to anyone
ReplyDeleteHi, So glad I stumbled across this web page. Was looking for a hike in this area (Catfish pond ) for next weekend and I have now found it.Put you in my favorites for future hikes in the area.Im sure I will enjoy. Thanks, Bill in South Jersey
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill! The waterfalls on the Coppermines Trail should really be flowing after all of the rain we have had. I am sure you will like this hike.
ReplyDeleteDaniela
Why is the copper mine closed off. I recall going in as a kid, and it only went a hundred yards before it turned into a T that didn't go very far
ReplyDeleteI would assume for safety reasons. That would probably be a question for the National Park Service.
DeleteDaniela