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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike is a moderate climb to Sunfish Pond, following the Appalachian Trail heading north. The trail is well maintained and well used by dayhikers and overniters alike. The hike has a few strenuous climbs, but mostly evenly graded climbs with a few level areas in between. I followed the Dunnfield Hollow Trail down from Sunfish Pond to make it a loop. This trail does have some rather steep sections, and I probably wouldnt suggest it as an uphill route if I had a fully loaded pack. Trailhead: The trail head starts at the Dunnfield parking area just off Rte. 80 in New Jersey. When driving on Rte. 80, on the New Jersey side of the Deleware River, you will see the Dunnfield Parking area. There are many signs for the Water Gap, on the highway as well. Park in this Are, or in the Overflow Lot ( a grassy area nearby) ANd follow signs to the trailhead of the AT. (Lat:40.97078 Lon:-75.12764) Trail Guides for Sunfish Pond : Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: National Park Service New Jersey/Pennsylvania Worthington State Forest Ranger Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Matthew Chapin, who has posted 1 other hike on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jenna G. on 6/7/2009 I hiked to sunfish Pond at the Douglas (Garvey Springs) parking area in Worthington State Park. We hiked up the Blue dot Douglas Trail to the Appalachian Trail and then around the southside of the pond trail to the turquoise trail to the ledges on the east side of the pond. The pond water is very blue, its beautiful. I rarely hike & i find this hike to be a great workout it gets steep at times & right when I feel like stopping it always levels out and gives me time to slow down & catch my breath. When you get to the pond, its really pretty the water is clear & turquoise.... Theres a stone ledge you can climb and hang out on - a great place for lunch. It took me 1hr 45min. to get to the pond. I saw some black bears who paid us no mind.
Reviewed by Liz on 3/17/2009 My boyfriend and I spent 2 nights here last summer, we loved beautiful trails and scenery. It's amazing how immersed in nature you can be after hiking an hour. We saw a few bears, big scary snakes, tons of deer, turkey, frogs.... The pond is very close to the AT campsite with beautiful clear water and big rocks for laying in the sun. The outhouses at the campsite were well maintained too. I was always more into "car camping", so this was a good transition into backpacking trips. 
Reviewed by James on 1/21/2009 Last fall i hiked the Appalachian from the Water gap to High Point State forest. The first three miles from the Gap were crazy due to a lightning storm and heavy rainfall. It was a steady uphill gain to the camping area but i imagine it would of been rather easy on another day. I camped the night there and then made my way very early in the morning to Sunfish Pond. As i sat down to eat breakfast i got to see a truly wonderful sight. The the sun rose and the water was being warmed, the whole lake steamed as if it were on fire. Truly amazing... one of my favorite parts of the trip. i would recomend to any hiker.. I'm making a weekend out of it as soon as the weather warms a bit! 
Reviewed by Mike on 9/6/2007 I hiked the Appalachian trail from the Dunnfield Parking Area to Sunfish Pond and back. The trail was scenic, but I found the rocky uphill conditions to be very challenging. As a novice hiker, I made the mistake of wearing sneakers rather than hiking boots. This trail requires boots! Even wearing sneakers, I managed to complete the round trip in just over 3.5 hours, which included 30 minutes of sightseeing around Sunfish Pond. The water was extremely clean, and the pond was beautiful. I highly recommend the effort.
Reviewed by George on 9/1/2007 I have hiked this - first in my teens, then twenties and the last time at 50 with my teenage son - still fun (but it was a challenge - next time a bit more practice). Great Place.
Reviewed by Will on 8/11/2007 After years of hiking in the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, and the Alps, Sunfish Pond still seems like one of the most beautiful, pleasant hikes available (especially in N.J.). Great trail, fine scenery, a decent campsite, and weekday solitude make it a classic.
Reviewed by TomP on 10/22/2006 Hiked this trail several times over the last 20-30 years. This August I saw over 20 deer and a bear that was walking alongside the trail next to me for a few hundred yards. Black bears aren't much as conversationalists, yet make interesting companions. The importance of food storage can not be repeated often enough.
Reviewed by kenny on 8/15/2006 aol 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: Pennsylvania Hiking, Pennsylvania Trails, Pennsylvania Hikes, Pike County Hiking, Pike County Trails, Pike County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||