Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ - NOT the Cannonball Trail

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Ramapo Mountain State Forest - New Jersey State Park Service

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 41.01821, -74.26588

Parking on Pool Hollow Road

TRAIL MAP: 

Ramapo Mountain State Forest - New Jersey State Park Service

Northern New Jersey Highlands Trail Map 150 - NYNJ Trail Conference

HIKE DISTANCE:  3.1 miles

THE HIKE:

It was almost-in-ten-days-five-year-old grandson Harry's turn for his promised hike.  I had told him about the Cannonball Trail that goes over I-287, how you can be above all of that traffic crossing a highway safely.  He wanted to hike there and yell CANNONBALL!!!!!!!!!! at the top of his lungs while running across the bridge.  We can do that!  But imagine the disappointment to find out that although the bridge still says "Cannonball Trail" it is no longer the Cannonball Trail.  It was changed to a plain old yellow trail in 2020.  Bummer.  Well, we would just pretend it was still the Cannonball Trail.

Heading towards the railroad tracks on Pool Hollow Road.

Looking both ways multiple times and listening carefully before crossing the tracks.

Just after the tracks, left on yellow, Harry's favorite color.

We turned left on an unmarked trail to hike a loop around a pond.

Continuing on yellow.

Left on white.

White takes you to the top of a mountain where you can "see the whole world."

Harry displayed his assortment of snacks for our break.

Oops.  But immediately Harry said, "I am OHHHH KAAAY!"

Harry spied some litter and immediately picked it up.  So proud of how my grandchildren are all repulsed by litter in the woods and feel the need to pack it out.

Litter secured on his backpack and off we go.

Time for another break.

Harry sure did pick up his pace once he saw the bridge!

What used to be the Cannonball Trail over I-287.

We had come in from white on the left, yellow would have been the way back, but given the option of taking an unmarked trail back, Harry chose the latter.

We found some "bear poo."

The unmarked trail took us to yellow where we turned left.

Somebody became cranky and tired towards the end.

Crossing back over the tracks.

And back to the car.

Tired Hiker

Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ - Van Slyke Castle

ABOUT THE PARKS: 

Ramapo Mountain State Forest - New Jersey State Park Service

Uncovering N.J.: A crumbling window into the turbulent history of Van Slyke Castle - Jersey's Best

Foxcroft (a.k.a. Van Slyke or Ramapo Castle) - Weird NJ (has pictures of the original structure)

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 41.04756, -74.25139

Upper lot off of Skyline Drive.  Expect it to be full by 9AM if not sooner.

TRAIL MAP: 

Ramapo Mountain State Forest - New Jersey State Park Service

Northern New Jersey Highlands Trail Map 150 - NYNJ Trail Conference

HIKE DISTANCE: 2.8 miles

THE HIKE: 

My 6-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, had been expressing an interest in "hiking like grandma" and wanting to see a castle.  We can do that!  To earn her Girl Scout family hiking badge this was the hike that covered all bases in addition to a big surprise on the trail!  Ellie also wished she had a camera to take pictures like grandma.  Amazon to the rescue for children's cameras for Ellie and 4-year old Harry who would be meeting us at Van Slyke Castle with his parents and 19-month-old brother, Teddy.  As planned, Ellie spent the night at grandma's and we headed out early in the morning on Easter Day to begin the hike.

Lesson #1:  All good hikers carry a map.

With your back to Skyline Drive, right on the white Castle Loop Trail.

Ellie asked for my old trekking poles and she used them throughout the hike.

When the Cannonball Trail comes in from the left, we went right on white/red and would be returning from the left.

White leaves red to the left and we would be staying with white all the way to the castle ruins.

As taught by her grandmother, parents and the Girl Scouts, Ellie insisted we pack out the plastic bottle some irresponsible and careless person tossed in the bushes.

Taking a break.

Ellie learned that even though her backpack was mostly empty early on, it soon filled up with layers of clothing as the weather warmed up.

Coming up on the stone tower.

But first up to the overlook.

Stone Water Tower

Continuing on to ...

... the next overlook.

Van Slyke Castle

Taking a break while waiting for the rest of the family to join us.

And here they come!

New York City skyline view from Van Slyke Castle.

Ramapo Lake from Van Slyke Castle.

Now Harry and Ellie would come with me down to Ramapo Lake and we would meet up with the others in a bit.

Going down the ladder from the castle to descend very steeply at times.

Coming up on Ramapo Lake.

Time to backtrack a bit to the intersection of white and red to meet up with the rest of the family where...

... the Easter Bunny had left eggs along the trail for the Easter egg hunt!

The Easter egg hunt on a hiking trail was a huge hit!

Continuing on the red Cannonball Trail.

The children figured out that there are games on their cameras.

Very awesome hikers who loved this hike and want to keep hiking with grandma.

Back at the parking lot with cars hovering for a spot.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLIE:

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARRY: