I originally was going to place a loooong multi, but decided to
break it into a series of individual caches to make things more
more flexible. Doing the caches in the suggested order will provide
for a good afternoon of hiking and geocaching through one of the
most beautiful areas in NJ. Of course geocachers have the option of
doing the caches individually and approching via any legal route
they desire.
The trails in this area are at the same time, some of the newest
and oldest in the state. There are several old Boy Scout trails
that date back to the 1930's. Some of these have been
rehabilitated, relocated in sections and incorporated into the
area's public trail system. They have yet to appear on any trail
maps, so will be new to many hikers.
This cache is placed along the Old Guard Trail, which was built
by the Boy Scouts of Camp Glen Gray in the 1930's. The new Old
Guard trail largely follows the route of the original Old Guard
Trail and parts of the Tepee Tral. It begins in Camp Glen Gray,
which is owned by Bergen County, but only open to paying weekend
users. The trail then reaches Ramapo Mtn State Forest property,
which is where this cache is. It then loops around and joins the
Schuber Trail just outside Camp Glen Gray.
By following the recommended route below, you will enjoy a nice
4-6 hour hike depending on your pace, while bagging a few caches on
the way. You are not obligated to follow this route, but I highly
recommend you do to get the most enjoyment out of this series:
Park at the upper parking lot on Skyline Drive. You will see
the orange blazes for the Schuber Trailhead across the street, near
the Camp Tamarack sign. Starting at the Schuber trailhead take it
to Cache 1, then on to the white blazed Millstone Trail and Rocky
Slide Gulch for Cache 2. Continue on the white (Millstone)trail to
the yellow trail, cross the road then on to cache 3.
After finding Cache 3, continue on the Schuber/Yellow trail,
then make a left left onto the Old Guard trail (white blaze with
green leaf in center) and continue to Cache 4. After finding cache
4, continue on the Old Guard trail, cross the pipeline cut, then
the Cannonball (red w/"C") and Hoeferlin (also
yellow)trails.
You'll then reach the escarpment, where you will see nice
views of the Wanaque Reservoir through the trees. Here the Old
Guard joins the red blazed, Ringwood Ramapo Trail. Follow it to
Cache 5. After finding this one continue on the the Old Guard.
You'll cross the Hoeferlin again and reach the Cannonball for the
second time. Make a right here and head to Cache 6.
The Cannonball soon joins the Hoeferlin and they eventually
cross a gravel road together and cache 7 is close by. They then
reach Skyline Drive before heading back into the woods beyond the
yellow gate. After passing the gate, continue on the
Hoeferlin/Cannonball. The Cannonball will split to the right. Stay
on the Hoeferlin and take it Cache 8, then back to your
car.
Here are the caches in this series:
Cache1
Cache2
Cache3 Cache4
Cache5
Cache6
Cache7
Cache8
