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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike starts where the white blazed 4 Birds Trail crosses Splitrock Rd. Take this trail south, where it begins to a series of ups and downs over sometimes rocky terrain and eventually reaches the hawk watch platform where there are excellent views (you probably won't be alone here on a nice day). Leaving the hawk watch, double back on the white trail for a short distance, then turn right onto an unmarked, but distinct woods road. Follow this to an intersection with a blue blazed trail, turning right onto it. This trail is interesting as it passes several glacial erratics along the way and eventually reaches Split Rock Rd. Turn left on Split Rock Rd and take it back to your car. Trailhead: Route 80 to Hibernia exit. Take CR 513 north (Green Pond Rd) 6 miles to Upper Hibernia Rd. Right on Upper Hibernia Rd, left onto Split Rock road. Or: Route 23 to Kinnelon Rd. Kinnelon Rd to Rockaway Valley Rd. Right onto Rockaway Valley Rd then right onto Splitrock Rd. Parking for several cars right next to trailhead, or use main parking area by reservoir and walk to trailhead. (Lat:40.96693 Lon:-74.46511) Trail Guides for Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch: New Jersey Walk Book by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ Trail Conference) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: NJ Dept of Fish and Wildlife 973-383-0918, Rockaway Twp. police 973-625-4000 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Sniatkowski, who has posted 43 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Andreas on 12/31/2008 Aside from the view from the ridge there are a lots of relics throughout the area dating back to about the turn of the last century. The trail near the reservoir has the remains of three blast furnaces. And the trail is littered with chunks of iron ore. Wildcat Ridge has a long history of iron mine that dates back to the Revolution. One mine still remains and is preserved as a bat hibernaculum and is located just off of Green Pond Road. There are many unmarked road beds and trails so bring a good map of the are and enjoy. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. 
Reviewed by John on 11/1/2007 Went with a group of geocachers, we took hike as outlined, except we went back to woods road via unmarked trail found near microwave tower. We had several stream crossings , some outstanding view points, we plan on visiting area again. Outstanding area, we plan to look for mining vestiges
Reviewed by Viewer on 9/14/2007 It was a nice hike. Beautiful view at the watch. There is a nice map at http://f.vanderburgh.home.att.net/imap/wcrtrails.html. We didn't find this map before we went on the hike, but luckily bumped into Fred, who gave us a copy of the map. We hope this link can be of help. Enjoy!
Reviewed by NPB on 8/19/2007 I hiked this trail Saturday morning 8-18-07...drove by the white trail twice but that is because I am probably an idiot...trail had some new dead falls and fresh blown down trees on the trail...could use some cutting...very well marked but blazes are fading....hawk watch was truly beautiful and I will be going back for some eagle viewing this fall...trying to follow a loop hike seemed to be my biggest challenge but will be back for more..... 
Reviewed by SueM on 9/7/2006 great view very disappointed with directions the comments hike back up road to trail head, retrace your steps a little way back on the white trail proved to be too vague, some approx. distances need to be added. After Hawk Watch (great view)we followed the white trail back to a "woods road" but ended up on a real road way out of our way it took us 25 mins from there to hike up along river to the dam (the quickest way back to the car at that point). the area was beautiful and we would hike there again but following the marked trails which were marked very clearly and frequently. the detour to the pond with beaver dam was worthwhile, we saw some obvious recent activity.
Reviewed by Tomg on 1/19/2006 Trails throughout the WCR are setup similar to the standards in marking used by the App Mtn Trail Club, Adirondack Mtn Club etc. Trails do have color coded symbols on the trees and also include gps indicators for local authorities. All trails are excellent for light to vigorous hiking, dependent on the experience of those hiking. The views from the WCR Hawkwatch are spectacular and the volunteers and visitors are always most pleasant and willing to help other visitors out. Sorry to hear 1Adam12 had a bad experience with someone, but that experience surely was not with any of the official hawk watchers, that it was probably someone not happy with their hike up to the WCR. I hope your next hike there is enjoyable.
Reviewed by FV on 11/12/2005 Sorry 1ADAM12 had a bad experiance with the hawkwatchers, but I checked the schedule for the hawkwatch and the watch was closed 10/20 - 10/22. Whom ever was there was not an official hawkwatcher for Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch.
Reviewed by 1ADAM12 on 10/21/2005 Decent hike, unfriendly hawk watchers. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New Jersey Hiking, New Jersey Trails, New Jersey Hikes, Morris County Hiking, Morris County Trails, Morris County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||