This six-mile, moderate-to-strenuous hike traverses a spectacular but little-used area in Abram S. Hewitt State Forest near Greenwood Lake. The hike traverses outcrops of puddingstone conglomerate rocks, passing through stands of rhododendrons and pitch pines, and comes out on the shore of the scenic Surprise Lake—a pristine, spring-fed pond. It also reaches several viewpoints, and from one of the viewpoints, the New York City skyline can be seen on a clear day. Perhaps the most interesting feature along the route of the hike is a rock ledge overlooking a wetland, where a narrow wedge of the bedrock has split away from the main ledge, forming a deep crevice. The hike should take about four-and-a-half hours. Dogs are allowed on leash.
To reach the trailhead from Teaneck, head west on N.J. Route 4 to N.J. Route 208, and continue on I-287 South. Take Exit 57, bear right at the fork, and continue on Skyline Drive to its western end at Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood. Turn right and proceed for 8.4 miles to a Y-intersection with Union Valley Road. Take the right fork and continue ahead for 0.3 mile on Warwick Turnpike. Just past a short concrete bridge, there is a turnout on the right side of the road. Park here. (This turnout is a short distance east of the intersection of Warwick Turnpike with White Road.) The trailhead is about 30 miles from Teaneck, and it should take about 45 minutes to get there.
From the parking turnout, walk east on Warwick Turnpike, going back over the concrete road bridge. Just east of the bridge, you’ll see a triple green/black blaze that marks the start of the Bearfort Ridge Spur. Follow the green/black blazes uphill through rhododendrons and hemlocks. In about 500 feet, the trail joins a woods road that comes in from the right. Just beyond, the Bearfort Ridge Spur ends at a junction with the green-blazed Bearfort Ridge Loop. To follow this trail in the clockwise direction, turn left, leaving the road. (The road ahead will be your return route.)
The green-blazed trail continues to ascend on a wide footpath. After crossing a stream, it levels off through mountain laurel. A little over half a mile from the start, the trail descends briefly to cross a wider stream and continues through a rhododendron grove. At the end of the rhododendrons, the blue/green Bearfort Ridge Connector, which leads to Warwick Turnpike, goes off to the left. Continue ahead on the green-blazed trail.
The Bearfort Ridge Loop now begins a steady, rather steep climb. About a mile from the start, it passes a large, lichen-covered outcrop to the right. It continues to climb until it reaches the crest of the ridge, marked by pitch pines. Here, a large conglomerate rock outcrop on the left offers an expansive view to the south.
After taking in the view and resting from the steep climb, continue ahead, following the Bearfort Ridge Loop north along the puddingstone conglomerate ridge, through pitch pines. You’ll make a brief but steep climb, and—after crossing an open rock outcrop with several glacial erratics—the vegetation will change to hemlocks and laurels. The trail continues at an elevation of about 1,300 feet, having climbed about 600 feet from the trailhead. After about half a mile of walking along the ridge, the Bearfort Ridge Loop reaches a junction with the pink-blazed West Ridge Trail, which begins on the left. Continue ahead on the green-blazed Bearfort Ridge Loop, which crosses another open rock outcrop with a row of large glacial erratics, passes more pitch pines, and descends to cross a wet area.
The trail continues to wind through a hemlock forest, passing a limited viewpoint through the trees to the right. About two miles from the start, it comes out on a rock ledge overlooking a wetland to the west. Here, a narrow wedge of the bedrock has split away from the main ledge, forming a deep crevice. This is a good place to take a break.
When you’re ready to continue, proceed north along the trail, which climbs to a rock outcrop with a huge boulder. After traversing a whaleback rock, the trail descends steadily through hemlocks and laurels, crossing an intermittent stream at the base of the descent. It then climbs over jumbled rocks to a rock outcrop studded with pitch pines, which offers a limited east-facing view when there are no leaves on the trees.
The trail continues across more rock outcrops, with limited views both to the west and to the east. It then descends gently and levels off. Finally, it climbs to another outcrop—marked by several cedar trees—with a panoramic view. Sterling Forest and the Wyanokies can be seen to the east, and if there are no leaves on the trees, you may be able to see Surprise Lake to the north. An arm of the Monksville Reservoir is visible ahead, and on a clear day you can see the tops of New York City skyscrapers in the distance. You’ve now gone three miles from the start of the hike.
Here, the green-blazed Bearfort Ridge Loop reaches a junction with the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail. Turn right and follow the joint green-and-yellow-blazed trail as it heads downhill through a rocky area and soon crosses a stream. The trail continues through a dense rhododendron grove, with the thick rhododendrons forming a canopy over the trail in places. In half a mile, the green-blazed Bearfort Ridge Loop turns sharply right. Continue ahead on the yellow-blazed Ernest Walter Trail for about 100 feet to an open area which overlooks Surprise Lake—a pristine, spring-fed pond. This is another good spot to take a break.
Now retrace your steps along the yellow trail, but when you come to the junction with the green trail, bear left and follow the green blazes. The green-blazed Bearfort Ridge Loop now follows a woods road that will lead you back to the start of the hike. The trail climbs gently for a short distance and then begins a steady descent. In three-quarters of a mile, you’ll cross a stream on rocks. This crossing can be a little tricky if the water is high. After a short, level stretch, the trail crosses another stream and then climbs briefly, soon resuming its descent.
In another mile, the trail crosses a third stream, after which the descent steepens. A third of a mile beyond, be sure to bear right, as another woods road goes off to the left. A short distance ahead, you’ll reach a junction with the green/black-blazed Bearfort Ridge Spur. Continue ahead along the road and then bear right, following the green/black blazes downhill and back to the trailhead.
