HISTORIC TRAILS
OF This Booklet on Sale ,ft GREENWOOD LAKE REGION
BY
L. A. SIGAVD,
Price Twe11ty-five Cents ------··
DEDICATED
TO MOTHER EARTH,
AND TO MARGARET, her most charmillg dai,ghler-1111J wife
Louis A. Siga11d /tJ'/s6J B•. Mui ~><: West Shore P. East Shore Trai Is Trai Is JI ~ 17 "' 15' p .a I:, ,e II i ~ JO ~ ~ M F 10 C) ~ a ...... , ~ t ~ lt.i ~ ~,~ ~ II 0 ,r _...------~~~~~~-- r ·------··--- INDEX FOR SYMBOLS ON TRAIL INTRODUCTION SKETCHES (West Shore numbered; East Shore lettered) The scenic beauty of Greenwood Lake, to appreciative travelers, rivals the magic spell of 1. APPALACHIAN TRAIL, such charming Alpine lakes as Como, Lugano 2. FURNACE.BROOK TRAIL. 3. SPRUCE SWAMP TRAIL, and Garda. But the most sincere tribute to its 4. CASCADE BROOK TRAIL. panoramic appeal is that paid by the many nature s. MOUNTAIN SPRING TRAIL, lovers who have made their homes on its shores 6. MOUNT PETER ROAD, because it creates anew for them the treasured 7. MOTHEll RIALTO TRAIL. 8. BELLEVALE Ro.u>. scenes of their native hills across the seas. 9. MOE•WARWICK ROAD. At first, the encircling hills merely delight the 10. LoNGHOUSE CREEK TRAIL. eye, and refresh the spirit. Then they call im• 11. WEST SHORE HIGHWAY (ROUTE 210). 12. LoOKOUT ROCK, periously. And, inevitably, man responds. 14. SURPRISE LAKE. The first to make their way through the sur• IS, OLD MONROE ROAD, rounding woods were the Delawares. Then 16. NEW MONROE HIGHWAY. j came the pioneer whites seeking adventure, 17. WILDCAT ROCKS. 18. GREENWOOD LAKE-WARWICK HIGHWAY. fortune and homes in the wilderness. To their 19. SMOOTHING !RON POND. paths were soon added the logging roads ·of a 20. GREENWOOD LAKE VtLLAGE. later generation. And the restless nomads of A. APPALACHIAN TRAlL, our times have contributed numerous scenic B. FITZGERAU> FA.LLS. I routes to form a vast network making mountain c. SKYLINE Oil RIDGE TRAIL. lakes, high points, and other· spots of interest D. MoMBASHA LAKE. E. LAKELANDS TRAIL. easily and pleasantly accessible. . F. LAUREL SWAMP TRAIL. This picturesque region is also rich in his• G. BARE Rocx TRAIL. toric significance. Two hundred years ago its H. STERLING FOREST TRAIL, inner valleys were invaded by men who heard I. BABCOCK COVE TRAIL, J. HEWITT HIGH TUIL. of iron ore from the Indians. From their rude K. JENNINGS HOLLOW TRAIL. mining settlements came during the Revolution L. CEDAR PONDS TRAIL, many of that highly mobile force with which M. STERLING FOREST ROAD. N. STERLING FOREST, General Washington out-maneuvered the British 0. HEWITT. in the Watchungs and the Highlands. And P. NEW MONROE HIGHWAY. at Ringwood, east of the south end of the Lake, Q. STERLINO FURNACB·HBWITT ~OAD, lived Robert Erskine in truly manorial style. R. STERLING LAKE-STERLING FURNACE ROAD. S. STERLING LAKE. Erskine directed the destinies of a vast mining T. FIRE TOWER, (0BSERVATJON TOWER,) enterprise. Appointed by Washington, he be• v. BRIDGES, EAST ARM OF LAKE, came the first Geographer and Surveyor General W. TuxEDO·WAJtwICK HIGHWAY, X. OLD TuxEDO·WARWJCK RoAD. of the American Army, and his maps played a great, though forgotten, part in our victory. The 1 Erskine collection of maps, many showing Highway about 3 m. N. of the head of Lake at Greenwood Lake and adjacent areas, is a prized a spot known as "The Fox Crossing." (For possession of the New York Historical Society, AT course east, see Section "Trails East Side New York City, and open to inspection. "The of Lake.") It ascends W. to top of Bellevale Forgotten General," the story of his life by Mountain (1 m.), and turns S.W. on a wood A. H. Reusser, contains interestirrg information road. About ~ m. after turn, a side-path goes I . about the area, and about Hasenclever, a prede• 150 yds. to right (N.W.) to spring by beech cessor, who, by damming the outlet of Long tree. A ~ m. later AT reaches &AO!lte,--side• Pond, gave us Greenwood Lake. tnil leediRg= rigbl (W)---fet-short dishmec to The miners and the charcoal burners are gone. curious and impressive formation called Wild• Of their homes, churches and schools, there is cat Rocks. Here some cataclysm of nature has almost no remaining trace. But the old paths thrust up towering ledges and poised them at and old memories have not yet vanished ; nor such an angle that they seem about to topple has the wealth of natural beauty these woods over into the gorge below. In small cave at foot and hills have always held. of Rocks, to which arrows point way, Claudius Today many who visit Greenwood Lake look Smith, a local bandit during the Revolution, is up at its hills and feel drawn irresistibly to said to have cached loot before gracing a noose. explore them. To those who can go on foot About 2~ m. S. of ·Rocks,. AT drops down and to those who may only venture in spirit this steep slope to cross highway between Greenwood booklet is offered with the fraternal feeling that Lake and Warwick. Here AT may be deserted makes all lovers of nature kin. Tomorrow profitably for a short time to visit Mt. Peter, something else may be where these trails now reached by walkng S.W. alopg highway for 5 lie. If so, this slight record may also serve .to minutes. Where road starts down western side keep alive in the minds of men some memories of ridge, eyes feast upon the sight of Warwick of what will have gone beyond recall. Valley farms framed in a border of shadowy and L.A.S. distant blue hills. Within a stone's throw is "Hilgersberg" (good food and rooms). S. of highway the AT affords many splendid TRAILS WEST SIDE OF LAKE views of eastern valley. About 1 m. after high, way, where AT swings W., a side-path con• The Appalachian Trail. . This mountain path tinues S. (left) and leads to nearby ledge over• extends for over 2000 miles from Mount Katah• din in Maine to the mountains of northern looking Greenwood Lake and its Village. The Georgia. It is clearly marked throughout with AT itself goes W. briefly, then follows the the symbol AT, the A superimposed upon the T, ridge-top S. with frequent vistas of the Lake, and through courtesy of property owners. runs and hills E., N. and S. marching against the over many scenic areas that would otherwise be sky. barred to walkers. . The first path (~ m.) going right (N.W.) and first path ~ m. later going left (E.) con• I It enters territory W. and N. of Greenwood· · " Lake by crossing the Monroe-Greenwood Lake stitute Mountain Spring Trail. Next wood 2 3 ------...... -.------~~~~~~~~- . -·---. ------· road (0 m. later) going W. is Mother Rialto it reaches Road, it passes the old Centennial Trail. Next path (0 m.) crossing (east• Mine (right side of trail). west) at bottom of drop is Cascade Brook Trail. From Greenwood Lake, the AT can be Ignore 0 m. later wagon trail continuing S. reached by (1) going N. about 3 m. from which AT leaves to go E. to cliffs. Village to "Fox Crossing" on Monroe Highway, j · About 10 m. farther, AT drops down high (2) going up Greenwood Lake-Warwick High• I cliff ( 4 m. from Mt. Peter) and enters path way to AT crossing just below Mt. Peter running north-south. To N. this is Spruce (about 10 m.) and (3) using the old Mt. Swamp Trail. A few feet S. along path AT Peter Road, or the Mountain Spring, Cascade turns off S.W. (right) and path going left (S.) Brook, Furnace Brook or Surprise Lake Trails. I downhill is Furnace Brook Trail. AT now These are listed in order of occurrence from N. crosses a wide hollow through which Furnace Old Mt. Peter Road. Follow Highway N. Brook flows, and climbs to Grand Point (60 m. out of Village % m. to Linden House. Ignoring from Mt. Peter) and Prospect Rock (another right turn toward Tuxedo, continue N. short 0 m.) which provide two of finest views in distance to where Warwick Highway branches region. Just N. of Rock a faint path goes W. off diagonally to left (N.W.). Continue along Xto Longhouse Creek Trail. Between Point and Highway Yu'l,.U u.:1.-(.. ?, i~·~ u.,~ ~>..u-~-nL~., ~ . . ~ ~------S. The Trail goes N. along this, and gradually S. (left), within 200 yds. a faint branch turns trends toward W. and upward, final climb being off at angle of more than 90 degrees to right steep western ascent to summit where path (N.W.), slowly swings W. and goes S.W. joins Appalachian Trail about ~ m. from start. downhill to app~orchard. In orchard next to Turn left (S) on AT for lake views, Grand <;l·CluL.!rail ia(cld grave vith headstone bearing names Point and Prospect Rock. Turn right for Mt. ~'Timothy and sannah Clark." An Erskine Peter (2 m.) and 'Cat Rocks. 'map (about 1777) notes of a 'spot near Mt. About Y. m. toward Mt. Peter a path, which Peter, "Here Clark was murdered." Shortly is continuation of Mountain Spring Trail, after grave path reaches Bellevale Road at al• branches left (N.W.) of AT and descends into most same point as its other end; Y. m. S. of attractive inner valley. Here is a secluded house Mother Rialto's and 3 m. S. of Bellevale. Be• with fields now posted against trespassing from tween these two exits, E. side ofld which legend says played a part in the Revolu• tion by forging links of the chain that barred where nearby lived a soldier of the Revolution the Hudson to the British at West Point. who became a centenarian. Take the broad trail going left. This becomes About }4 m. from last turn, a stone wall comes a path going straight uphill which is Furnace down to trail on each side, and immediately Brook Trail. It trends N. for a short distance, beyond a small rill comes· to trail from E. then veers abruptly S.W. After slanting up• This stream emerges from a high mound about ward ~ m. it turns N. (ignore branch S.W. 40 ft. from trail, the base of which is covered which goes back to Highway) and heads parallel with stones. This is Great Bear Spring, famous with ridgetop and slightly below it. After an• for generations as the purest water in these hills. other mile Trail is on ridgetop and seems to From the Spring the Trail continues N. and end where Furnace Brook can be seen 20 ft. .then N.W. for about 1 m., gradually dropping below and immediately ahead N., with swampy downhill to reach the Bellevale Road about 2 m. glade to W. S. of Mother Rialto's. Dropping N. across Brook, trail can be picked Surprise Lake Trail. This begins at the at• up on other side where it goes W. on level tractive Lakeside realty development on Route ground, turns diagonally right (N.W.) and 210 on west shore about 3 m. N. of Brown's, ascends sharply, reaching the AT from right and Ya m. S. of State line. Abuses by motorists about ~ m. after crossing Brook. Two trails have driven owners to impose reasonable re• form an X here, the AT running N.E. and strictions. Walkers with cars may park autos S.W., and Furnace Brook Trail N. and S. For at Lakeside Inn parking field for small fee, and, a few feet the two run N. together. Then the if presentably attired, have access to Trail. AT turns right and E., and the FB Trail goes Considerate walkers without cars can probably left and N., becoming at this point also secure access upon ,P.roper application to the IJ development office. Trail users should not camp Spruce Swamp .Trail. This path starts at or picnic on the development. junction of the Furnace Brook and Appalachian If authorized, take road going into develop• Trails· on top of ridge above Highway 210 ment from Inn on highway, and turn N. on first about Yz m. N. of Furnace Brook outlet. right-hand road. About 300 ft. farther take A few feet N. of point where the Trails meet, path into woods. Shortly a wood road comes in the Spruce Swamp Trail proceeds N. as a wood from N.E. (right). Continue N. along path. road, while the AT turns right (E.). The SS SO general S.E. direction. About here it enters branch it turns E. inland short distance. and posted Sterling Park. It heads E. (ignore faint then goes S. through narrow and swampy ravine. path S.) and after slight descent enters trail . About 100 yds. later, where path seems o c n• running N. and S. (1~ m. from Village). This j tinue S., it climbs low bank an proceeds to is Jennings Hollow Trail. Follow it S. for Bare Rock (2~ m. from Village). From Rock ~ m. Here path forks, one on right being Jen• there is splendid view of Lake, western range nings Hollow Trail, and hard to see. Follow and Village, and one which a runaway cow left fork which almost immediately crosses and two calves born in the hills (moose accord• northern tip of Laurel Swamp and slants up• ing to local legend) found worthy of contempla• ward S.E. through dense, luxuriant growth of tion for several months while they made Bare rhododendron. Trail then turns E. and goes Rock their home. through pass in eastern ridge, crossing Sky-Line Sterling Tower Trails. The Fire Tower at Trail 20 m. from Village. (Tower 10 m. S. • end of Sky-Line Trail, being the natural objec• on Sky-Line Trail.) tive of most paths in eastern section, is also Laurel Swamp Trail continues E. (ignore reached by many other routes. (Read Section path and fire road to right mile later) and ends on Sterling Park and Erskine Preserve now.) at S. extremity of Sterling Lake on west shore Some of these are : (3¥.1 m. from Village). See Lakelands Trail, last paragraph. From here Lakelands Trail can . (a) Ste~ling Forest Trail. Its starting point be reversed to return to Greenwood Lake. is on ·Sterling Forest Road to Greenwood Lake Village. The Road proceeds N. from aban• Bare Rock Trail. Proceeds from Greenwood doned Erie station, Sterling Forest, then E. and Lake Village as for Laurel Swamp Trail. After again N. A short distance from Station, beyond crossing bridge follow road S. along shore to last turn, near electric pole GLE 134 a wood Brandon House. A few feet beyond Brandon road goes E. (right) marked "Private Road. wagon shed on E. (left) of road a wagon trail Use at your own Risk." Follow this road which goes E. (¥.! m. from Village). Take this up• shortly turns S. Ignore two left branches and ward and N.E. It becomes mere path. Just keep on past dumps to tree 0 m. from station after it heads N. take first right branch E. over where one trail marked red band on white circle · knoll to path running N. and S, To left this turns left (E.) and another goes (S.) toward leads to Watawah Park. Follow it right (S). Hewitt. Take one going E. (Near here trail It shortly goes E. and ascends steeply (1 m. enters posted Sterling Park.) Three-quarters from Village). About ~ m. up and on right of mile thereafter it crosses well defined path (S.) a path goes off sharply S.W. This is Bare running .N. and S. which is Jennings Hollow Rock Trail. The branch continuing E. later turns S. and joins Jennings Hollow Trail. (See Trail. Latter trail should now be followed to Jennings Hollow Trail to reach Fire Tower or left (N.). It crosses stream several times and Hewitt via Bare Rock Trail branch.) 2 m. N. a broad path· branches right (E.) from Bare Rock Trail climbs S.W.; turns S. along Jennings Hollow Trail down slope to Jennings hillside and is hard to follow. About % m. from Creek. Take this path. 18 19 Across ford it becomes narrow path climbing few feet turns N. and parallels road until it sharply S. to top of cliff, and turns E. A 34 m. meets the path coming from first point and joins from turn (ignore intervening Hewitt High it to go E. Ignore a right diagonal branch Trail branching (S.) a path branches diagon• Ya m. from road. Three-quarters of mile from ally to left (N.E.). (Path continuing E. is road Trail joins Jennings Hollow Trail. Follow Cedar Ponds Trail). The diagonal path, blazed latter trail to left (N.) and 1 m. later leave it in white, crosses another path within few feet for path crossing E. over Jennings Creek, · and (at stone cairn) and continues on, reaching proceed to Tower as indicated in (a). Distance Tower after descent into gully, and some strenu• from pole 104 to Tower 3Ya m. From Sterling ous climbing during_ which clear views are had Forest 4:l'.I m. W. and S. (Big Cedar Pond seen S.) Total The Babcock Cove Trail starting point at distance 5 m. pole 104 can be reached from Greenwood Lake Where Sterling Forest Trail (see first para• Village by starting as for Laurel Swamp Trail graph) meets Jennings Hollow Trail and turns over bridge across East Arm. Continue S. along N. on latter for Fire Tower, a branch of Sterling shore road about 334 m. The Sterling Forest Forest Trail continues E. Short distance later Trail at pole 134 can be reached the same way this branch crosses Jennings Creek and divides by proceeding another mile S. into two paths, one going N. and other S. The first, to left, very faint, joins Hewitt High (c) Hewitt High Trail. This Trail starts Trail in ridge gap N.E. The second, to right, from Highway at Hewitt, N. J., where new road (S.) later turns E. and ascends hill in broad goes N. from site of former Erie Station toward N.E. and S.E. sweeps. Near top avoid left Sterling Forest, Greenwood Lake over road• branch. On top (1!4_ m. from Jennings Hollow bed of former railroad. Trail takes to old dirt Trail) this Sterling Forest Trail branch crosses road to E. (right) of new road and enters Hewitt High Trail diagonally (note latter's Erskine Preserve. (Read Section on Sterling marker, blue band in white circle) and descends Park and Erskine Perserve now.) Dirt road (another mile) to Sterling Furnace-Hewitt ..j' f goes N., and turns E. over Wanaque River at Road. I' Furnace (Jiii m) and turns N., rising. Many scenic falls on River W. of road. At top of rise, (b) Babcock Cove Trail. This Trail has two ignore path to right (E.). A 34 m. later Trail starting points. First is on Sterling Forest leaves road and takes path into woods on right Road to Greenwood Lake Village about 134 m. (E.). A 34 m. farther at stone marker Trail N. of Sterling Forest and slightly S. of electric branches N. (left) across small stream and line le GLE . Trail goes E. from road turns E. opposi e ga e on W. side and ~nters posted Sterl• The Trail (white markers on stones and ing Park. The second starting point rs at top trees) rises rapidly N.E. and E. to top of Big if. of hill on Sterling Forest· Road ~ m. nearer Beech Mountain. This section and balance of /o'P Sterling Forest than first starting point, and route arduous in spots. Splendid view from S. . ! just N. of pole GLE . Trail proceeds E. side of Big Beech, particularly over Wanaque from road into posted terling' Park, but after Valley. Trail heads N. on Big Beech and takes ~-,(tAAJ,~w(l U/f):,10~ ~~ • ./!~~" · 1 '1-~, to wood road which enters posted Sterling branch mentioned and crosses Jennings Creek Park and after 10 m. reaches point where about ~ m. later. It is low, level route without branch of Sterling Forest Trail goin~ toward views. As it continues N. and enters posted Sterling Furnace Road crosses diagonally. Sterling Park, trails (a) and (b) join it coming Angle of crossing is slight. Hewitt High Trail, from left (W.); trail (a) 0 m. N. of Creek coming from S. on wood road, abandons road at crossing, and trail (b) 1~ m. N. of crossing. crossing point and goes to left of road (N.) Trails (a), (b) and (d) all continue N. on same on path shown by marker. The Sterling Forest path to point where first two leave Jennings Trail branch coming from S.W. takes to wood Hollow Trail for east branch leading toward road abandoned by Hewitt High Trail and goes Tower. Distance to this point from Hewitt on N. E. (marked red band in white circle). Jennings Hollow Trail is 5 m. and from Hewitt Hewitt High Trail proceeds N. and drops into to Tower by using from here the same course gap in ridge. (At bottom of gap faint path goes as trails (a) and (b) is 6!4 m. diagonally S.W. and is difficult to follow. In Where Trails (a) and (b) go E. toward third paragraph re Sterlin~ Forest Trail this Tower, the Jennings Hollow Trail continues N. is branch going N.) Hewitt High Trail rises and shortly becomes a faint path difficult to dis• abruptly again to next hill (2 m. from SF Trail tinguish. It makes abrupt left and right turns branch crossing noted in previous paragraph.) for short distances, but remains on W. side of Almost at top Cedar Ponds Trail (S. end) Creek and later follows .W. shore of swamp branches E. where wooden marker states "To where Creek starts. About ~ m. N. of branch• Cedar Pond." Continue N. on ridge for Hewitt off for Tower the Trail veers N.W. of swamp High Trail. A 0 m. farther the Trail runs and starts climbing slowly along slope of range into path going east-west. Turn right (E.) and on left (W.). A 0 m. later the Trail forks, less than !4 m. later take path branching diago• one path going N., and the other, which is the nally left and proceed to Tower as in SF Trail Jennings Hollow Trail, going E. (right). description, second paragraph. Distance Hewitt The path going N. is a link between Jennings to Tower about 7 m. Hollow and Bare Rock Trails, and is branch mentioned in first paragraph of description of ( d) Jennings Hollow Trail. Start as in ( c). latter trail as going E. and then S. to join Jen• Continue N. on dirt road beyond point where nings Hollow Trail. Distance Greenwood Lake Hewitt High Trail turns E. into woods. · Ignore next right branch, and several to left, last of Village to Jennings Hollow Trail via Bare Rock which (in better condition than Jennings Hollow Trail and this link 2!4 m.; Village to Tower Trail) goes off at 90 degree angle about 10 m. 5 m. from Hewitt, crosses Creek, forks left to Glens Going E. from forking point Jennings Hollow and right to Sterling Forest. Right fork joins Trail is very indistinct. It approaches Laurel Sterling Forest Trail at tree mentioned in first Swamp, keeps along N. edge and 0 m. from paragraph of (a) trail description. fork turns N. In 100 ft. it becomes clear wagon Jennings Hollow Trail, gradually altering trail, and here a path goes from it to S.E. at from road to wagon trail, goes N. beyond left such an angle as to be almost parallel and hence 22 23 ( easily overlooked when heading N. This is l right of diagonal branch (ignore path coming Laurel Swamp Trail turning off to Sterling in from N.W. within few feet), becomes a wide Lake. A ~ m. farther N. along Jennings Hol• fire patrol road, and in ~ m. turns S. and low Trail a path comes in from left (W.). slightly E. In another ~ m. the road, descend• This is Laurel Swamp Trail coming from ing slightly, curves E. and here the branch Greenwood Lake. to Little Cedar Pond goes off W. (ri~ht). After }1 m. the Trail curves W. (left) and (Ignore faint path slanting left from branch.) apparently starts downhill toward. Lake. While The Little Cedar Pond path soon reaches downhill path can be used as exit via clearing swampy ground where it becomes a high-arched, ~- m. W. and a path going N. from there a impressive and cathedral-like aisle through a few yards to road on Lakelands realty develop• dense growth of evergreens. It is necessary to ment the Jennings Hollow Trail continues N. step carefully on cross roots to have dry foot• from' curve ( very indistinct). It can be located ing. This aisle emerges into a wider opening by following W. shore of brook N. 7' m. Brook (swampy) from which a passage goes right turns W. and trail crosses brook here. (Brook (N.) and in 30 ft. comes out on quaking bog• can be followed downstream for cascades and like shore of Little Cedar. Here, in moss, as falls mentioned in outlining Lakelands Trail.) at Surprise Lake, are many insect-devouring · Beyond brook, Trail is much overgrown and pitcher plants. This secluded pond is one of much obstructed. After ~ m. it crosses Lake• most charming spots in hills. During rainy sea- lands Trail (which runs east-west), and in . son, however, path is not always passable. another ~ m. crosses telegraph cut. Shortly Distance to Little Cedar Pond from branch-off after cut Trail seems to fade out entirely. Yz m.; from starting point of Trail 1 m. Though completely overgrown, and with many The Trail to Big Cedar Pond continues on large trees in it, Trail can be followed by keep• road to E. at curve where Little Cedar branch ing N. along ~ost level ground. About a }1 f!l· goes W. (See second paragraph back.) It pro• later the Trail becomes apparent agam and m ceeds S.E. for }1 m. (good water in stream on another Yz m. comes out on high bank on E. left) and then the fire patrol road sweeps down• side of Greenwood Lake-Tuxedo Highway S. of hill in broad curve E. and N.E. Before the point where Highway reaches top of ridge, descent, take a path branching S.E. (right) for Distance from Hewitt about· 10 m. about 100 ft. to wagon road coming S. from the Cedar Ponds Trail. The Cedar Ponds, Little fire patrol road. Follow wagon road S. (ignore and Big (in posted Sterling Park} are ~ic• left branches going to dirt road between Sterl• turesque bodies of water located m a [ungle-like ing Mine head and Sterling Furnace, and right swamp containing wide variety of evergreen (W.) branch). Wagon road rises slowly, trees. . swings W., turns S., and descends. Ignore Trail starts at point where trail (a) for Vire narrow path to right. On right a heavily wooded Tower branches diagonally left (N.E.) toward swamp appears (laurels and other evergreens) Tower (second paragraph, trail (a) descrip• and 1 m. · from Little Cedar branch-off Big tion). The Trail for the Ponds continues E. to Cedar is visible on right (W.). Several paths 24 25 1 S.W. leave Trail for Pond. It is better to stay I higher paths will be found refreshingly cool. In on Trail which at S. end of Pond swings W. ·1 very hot weather ascents should be made in (here avoid path going S. in steep descent to . early morning or late afternoon hours. road between Sterling· Furnace and Hewitt). Not all trails are easy to follow. Many be• The S. edge of Pond is easily reached here from come such faint depressions, or are so over• Trail and a good view obtained looking N. gr?wn, or have abrupt tu~ns so difficult to per• (Note Fire Tower N.) The Trail, now narrow ceive that ~e~ seem to disappear entirely. At path, continues W. over outlet of Pond (1~ m. such pomts it rs helpful to return to the visible from Little Cedar branch-off, and 2~ m. from end of the trail, and from here circle about in starting point). Big Cedar, with almost as great ever-widening circles so that in every direction natural beauty as Little Cedar, is also a rarely from the visible end the ground is covered to a disturbed spot. reasonable distance. :rhis will usually reveal Beyond Pond outlet Trail (occasionally continuation of the trail ahead or to either side, marked in white) swings N. along W. shore, and takes care of the ever-present possibility that offering several agreeable stopping places, slants it may have almost doubled back on itself. . away from Pond, and turns N.W., avoiding Orientation is important. There is a natural . swampy ground and passing corduroy road on tendency to consider that the Lake and its right. Winding N. and W. it comes to gap ranges run N. and S. The Lake runs from between two hills and climbs the N. hill abruptly S.W. to N.E., as do ranges on both sides, al• and N.W. Near top, at sign reading "To Cedar though on the east side the hills do so only in Pond" and pointing E. along path just used, general mass, and not all individually. In this Trail joins a path going N. (right and upward) booklet, having this tendency in mind, directions and S. (left and abruptly down). This is Hewitt along or parallel to ridges are usually expressed High 'frail. (See third paragraph describing as N. or S.; elsewhere they are given with that Trail.) Distance from starting point of greater regard for true direction, although not Cedar Ponds Trail 3~ m. based on continual compass readings. On long walks, both a compass· and a map will be found helpful, and matches, a flashlight and a knife are indispensable, as well as appropriate cloth• GENERAL INFORMATION ing and footgear. Water should be taken along on long walks unless trail description indicates For the novice, it is suggested that a start be springs or drinkable streams are available on made with short walks to Bare Rock, and to the Appalachian Trail via Mountain Spring route,. At some periods many go dry. Clear Trail or Old Mt. Peter Road, thus acquiring ,w111111g water from streams or springs may be gradually knowledge of hills and trails. relied upon when you are certain point is above Practically all trails are usable from April all human habitations, or fields or buildings used 15th to first heavy snowfall. Best periods are to graze or keep cattle or other animal stock. May 1st to June 30th and September 1st to The size of this booklet prevents providing November 30th. But in July and August, the more than two small rough sketches of the trail 26 27 ------ . pattern, and these are not drawn to scale. i Walkers desiring a readily cornprehensibe, in- 1 . teresting and useful outline of the terrain, its ~ salient features, and the trails, will find it in r-,0 ...J Hikers Reqio» Map No. 21. This map, scaled ' ( one inch to the mile, and showing the territory SUBJECT , for ten miles ori each side of Lake, can be Appa!ac!i!an Trall (But Section) •• , •••••••••• : • • 12 - securea for IAiFt)' li¥e cents from W. Hoeferlinh Alli,alachlan Trall (Welt Section) ...... 2 556 Fairview , Brooklyn, N. Y. l3a&cock Cove Tra.U ••• , ••••• , ••• , , , ••••••••• , • 20 n z, 3 r. Bare llocJt Tra.U ••••• , , , ••••• , , • , •••••• , ••• , • , • 18 a ers who are not seasoned woodsmen Bellnalo lloac! , , • , •••• , : , , , • , , , , , , • , • , • , , , , • , , , 11 should plan to be out of the hills before sunset• Buttermllk l'a1I, •• , , , , , • , •• , , , , , , , , , •• , , , • , • , , , 11 vithout fail. Distances given for trails are Ca.Icade Brook Trall , ••• , ••••• , , , , , ••••••• , • , •• , 6 Cedar 'Posula Trall •••• , , , , , , ••• , , , , •,,, , , , , • , , , 24 pproximate. Arduous paths seem longer and Enlchie Map CoUectlon ;.. • ...... 2 require more time. So does the return trip. Enlchie Pftile:rTe , , , •• , ~ • , •• , ••• , • , , ••• , , , , •• , • , 13 Ordinary pedometers do not register accurately ll'i~d J'aJ1a , 12 when you climb. · P1re Tower (Sterllna Observation Tower) •• , , • • • • 15 Furnace Brook Tnll •••••••••.•••••••••••••••• I ' Matches are emergency equipment, and ate Gmcral Informatlma • , •••••• , ••••••••••••••••• , 26 not to be used carelessly or unnecessarily. Grand Point -~·,,, •••• , , , , , , •••• , • , , • , , , , , , •• , 4 Great Bear 8 t t I I I I I It I I I I I It It t t t It I I It t t 9 Forest fires constitute the greatest peril of the 1 woods, occasion great loss of property, and Hewitt Blah , , , , ~.,. , •• , , , • , • , , • , , , • , • , , , ·21 BoUow Trail I I• I It I I I I I I I It I I I It I I It I 13 endanger individual lives and whole communi• =:-:di Tra.11 , , , , , ••• , ~ •••• , , , • , ••••••• , ••• , , 16 ties. Obey all conservation laws. I.au.rel Swamp Trall • , • , • , • , • , , • , ••• , , • • • , , , ••• , 17 All trails traverse private property. Walkers I.oaahoalo Creek Trall , , • , , • , , , , , , , , , , , , , , • , , • • 10 I,oo1coat t I t t I • I I I t t t I I I I I I I t I I t I I I I t I I I I I t 9 should so conduct themselves that present per• I . Hombaa'haBock· I.ab •• , , •• , , , , , , , , , • , , , , , • , , , • , , , • , II mission to use trails will continue, and areas Kotber lllalto Trall t I t I t I I t I t I t I I I t I t I I I I I I I I I I 12 now barred . will become available. Where lfcnrataln 8~ Tra.11 , , , , , •• , , , , , •• , , •• , ••• , • • 5 · posted, do not trespass. JloaQt Peter Jloiad ••••••••••• I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I The flora and fauna of this region require ~BockBldae 'l'raJ! _ u· ·•···• ,· •·.··• ,·· ,·· , ,·· , ,··· , •··• ··, ,···· , •••···, •·· ,·· ••• , ••• ,• , 144 your protection. Many are even now on the SJcy':J.la.e .,'ftU I I I I It I It t t It It t e • • • e • • e e e. e e e e e 14 Saiooth.llur !roll. Pond •• , , •• , •• , , , • , •• , , ••••••• , 4 verge of extinction. Trailing arbutus, swamp S~ce s=__wamp Trall •••• , •••• , , • , •••• , ••• , • • • • • 8 and mountain laurel, fringed gentians and other SterJID, Poreet Trall , •• , • , • , , •••••••••• , , • , • • • • 19 residents of these woods depend for their sur• Sterl.lni Park •••• , •• , •• , •• , ••••• , , ••• , , , • , • , • • • 13 vival upon your self-discipline. Sunrlae Bock .. , , . , , , . , . , , , . , , , . , . , . . . 11 Surorflct I.ab Tra.U , , , , •••• , • , ~ •••• , ••• , • • • • • • • 9 Leave no refuse behind. Clear up your WUclcat Bocb ••••••••• , ••••••••••••••••• , • , • , • a debris, and take it out with you. Others who follow you also wish to enjoy Nature-unspoiled. · And may your walks along these trails be many and pleasant. . L.A. s. 28