Splitrock Reservoir Loop, NJ

ABOUT THE PARK:
Splitrock Reservoir - Rockaway Township

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.96267, -74.45834

Mostly kayakers and fishermen park here.  There aren't many hikers on the trail at all.

TRAIL MAP:
Jersey Highlands Trail Map 125 - NYNJ Trail Conference

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HIKE DISTANCE:  10.75 miles

THE HIKE:
The last time I hiked this loop counter clockwise on July 4, 2010.  This time I hiked it clockwise which puts the more difficult part first.  A lot has changed since then - a new dam/paved road with stop lights to cross the dam, trail has been mapped, trail was reblazed although some spots are becoming dicey again, LOTS of trash has been cleaned up.

Leaving the parking lot and turning right on Splitrock Road, the gravel road becomes paved as it crosses the new dam.

It is much more narrow than before so you have to really watch for cars although there were none at 7 AM.

I remember being able to get a nice view of the reservoir from the dam 9 years ago but now it is obstructed by chain link fencing.

When the paved road turns back to gravel, keep going until ...

... the white-blazed Four Birds Trail crosses over to the right.

The trail immediately climbs up rocks, the first of many climbs.

The trail alternates between very rocky ...

... and smooth.

A couple of creek crossing have a rope which wasn't needed with the water being low this time of year.

This is the worst blow down we encountered.

The trail gets a little overgrown in parts but it can still be followed.

It's a while before some partial views of the reservoir can be seen.

The trail follows along the reservoir for a while.

We had just settled down on this boulder for a break when I looked to my left and saw two huge piles of bear scat about 3 feet away.  No bears in sight, though.

Double-crested Cormorants

Those rocks up high on the right, Indian Cliffs, is where we would be heading.

Indian Cliffs

Right on blue ...

... where the Four Birds Trail signs are.

Blue passes by Misty Pond.

Misty Pond

Starting the climb up to Indian Cliffs.

Misty Pond down below.

I parked Brodie so I could climb the Indian Cliff rock for views.

The trail eventually comes out onto Charlotteburg Road and follows that for a bit.

There are a couple of side trails down to the reservoir.  These areas used to be very trashy with litter everywhere but all was clean on this day.

The blue trail leaves Charlotteburg Road to the left for another uphill.  I had been debating on whether or not do take that route since I was running short on time.  When I ran into other hikers heading in the opposite direction and they told me the blazing was not good and they lost the trail several times, it brought back memories of trying to find the trail up in there 9 years ago and I just didn't have time for it so I stayed on Charlotteburg Road until blue crossed back over a while later.

Charlotteburg Road is loaded with huge puddles but we were able to get around all of them without getting muddy.

Ugh.  We packed this out.

Usually these puddles are loaded with frogs but only saw these two.

Balloons #47 and #48 of the year.

When blue came in from the left and crossed over, we turned right on blue. 

The trail is pretty overgrown at first but the blazes are visible.

Blue comes right out onto Splitrock Road.

A right turn and short road walk back to the parking lot.

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