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 Reporter |
Summary: Take the blue blazed McEvoy Trl from parking lot. The trail climbs to Ramapo Lk where it joins a paved park road as it skirts the lake then turns north. The trail leaves the road at a sharp bend. Stay on road for about 50 yards and take the white blazed Castle Point Trl and begin a short, steep climb. At the top are some interesting ruins and outstanding views. Continue on the trail along ridge. The trail then descends, crosses a stream and turns uphill where it joins another park road and ends at Skyline Drive. Cross Skyline and take red blazed Cannonball Trl. Then a quick right onto the yellow blazed Hoeferlin Trl. Follow trail until it reaches Skyline Dr again and catch the white blazed Todd Trl by the Camp Tamarack sign. The Todd turns west into the woods and eventually joins a gravel camp road for a short distance, then turns south and reaches another outstanding overlook. Continue on Todd, across Skyline again and back to McEvoy. Left on MacEvoy to car. Trailhead: Route 287 to Skyline Drive exit. North onto Skyline Drive and parking is on left about 1/4 mile from 287. (Lat:41.03227 Lon:-74.25216) Trail Guides for Ramapo Mt. St. Forest Castle Pt-Todd Loop: New Jersey Walk Book by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ Trail Conference) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: NJ Division of Parks and Forestry 973-962-2242 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Sniatkowski, who has posted 44 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Nancy on 6/28/2009 Wonderful - some nice wildlife too (toads, butterflies, a deer, a lizard, a turtle, fish, a chipmunk). After the ruins, we followed the white trail and came to a clearing with 3 possible directions to go. We couldn't figure out how to follow this hike's directions from there (we went down a red trail and met up with the blue trail again). 
Reviewed by Erik on 5/5/2009 Use to hike this all the time when i was a kid! There is a castle and some where around there is a big torrent on a cliff! SOO COOL! Probabbly one of the only places you can't see anything but trees in NJ
Reviewed by AJ on 4/26/2009 Great hike! The trails are well marked and the views were fantastic. Will definitely come back here in the fall, as I imagine the colors would be breathtaking. We took our time and it was exactly 3 hours.
Reviewed by Mike on 10/26/2008 Awesome views from Van Slyke Castle - particularly with the turkey vultures there riding the late morning updrafts.
Reviewed by ChrisB on 9/21/2008 Nice hike on what is probably the warmest day we'll see until next spring/summer. I've never been here before, but I liked the numerous elevation changes and general hiking area. One thing to note is that I wound up at a point by the lake where you could go left or right...go right to stay on McEvoy. Also, you follow the blue-blazed McEvoy once it leaves the lake. Follow it up a hill briefly and make a left onto Castle Point. I would hike this again.
Reviewed by Terri on 8/8/2008 This was a great hike, not too strenous. The views at the top were spectacular. Can see NY skyline (binoculars help)Also found the castle ruins to be very interesting..
Reviewed by leroy on 4/22/2008 We really enjoyed this hike. The castle ruins are awesome. A good combo of short steep climbs and nice easy trails. We'll be back! Thanks Nick!
Reviewed by MM on 4/21/2008 Really nice! Only live about 15-20 minutes from here and never even knew about it! It's a great place to bring your dogs...beautiful lake for fishing and dogs to swim. Parts of the path are a little rocky in the beginning...but once you get to the lake it is a easier walk. Would definitely recommend! 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, Bergen County Hiking, Bergen County Trails, Bergen County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||