Get DirectionsFrom the parking area, follow a gated road which heads east, towards Steeny Kill Lake. Bear left at the lakeshore and follow the light-blue-circle-on-white-blazed Steeny Kill Trail, which runs along the dam on the north side of the lake. At the end of the lake, cross the outlet stream and follow the trail through the woods. After a short climb, the Steeny Kill Trail ends at a junction with the...
Hike Description:
From the parking area, follow a gated road which heads east, towards Steeny Kill Lake. Bear left at the lakeshore and follow the light-blue-circle-on-white-blazed Steeny Kill Trail, which runs along the dam on the north side of the lake. At the end of the lake, cross the outlet stream and follow the trail through the woods. After a short climb, the Steeny Kill Trail ends at a junction with the red/green-circle-on-white-blazed Monument Trail.
Turn right onto the Monument Trail, which continues to climb, using switchbacks and stone steps (built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps) for part of the way. After a short level stretch, the trail emerges on a paved road, with a stone building - the park's Interpretive Center - just ahead. Follow the trail as it turns left, descends on the paved road, and crosses Kuser Road to reach the northern end of Lake Marcia. (Swimming is permitted in Lake Marcia at the beach area when lifeguards are on duty.)
The trail follows a gravel road along the lakeshore. In 500 feet, it turns sharply left, leaving the lakeshore, and climbs on a rocky footpath to cross the paved Scenic Drive. A short distance beyond, you'll reach a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail, which proceeds straight ahead and to the right. Follow the Monument Trail, which turns sharply left, traverses a very rocky area, and crosses the access road to the monument.
Just beyond, the trail turns right on a wide gravel road and climbs to reach the bas
e of High Point Monument. Built in 1930 on the highest point in New Jersey (1,803 feet), this 220-foot monument offers panoramic views in all directions, with similar views from the wide platform at its base.
Return to the Monument Trail, turn right, and continue north along the gravel road. After passing restrooms, the trail follows the western edge of the parking area. At the northern end, it reenters the woods at a sign for the Monument Trail.
Continue north along the trail, which follows the easternmost ridge of Kittatinny Mountain, with views through the trees on both sides of the trail. In about half a mile, a short side trail to the left leads to a west-facing viewpoint over the Delaware River, Port Jervis, N.Y., and Matamoras, Pa. A short distance beyond, a side trail to the right leads to an east-facing viewpoint over the wide expanse of the Great Valley. After passing two more viewpoints to the right, the Monument Trail begins a steady descent.
At the base of the descent, the Monument Trail crosses a grassy woods road. Turn left and follow this unblazed road, which runs along the Cedar Swamp. At the next intersection, turn right and cross this interesting swamp on a boardwalk, then continue on a gravel footpath. A short distance beyond, turn right at a bench and a sign for the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, then turn left at the next intersection, rejoining the Monument Trail.
In 500 feet, at the top of a short climb, the Shawangunk Ridge Trail leaves to the right, but you should continue ahead on the Monument Trail. Soon, you'll reach a broad west-facing viewpoint from a rock ledge to the right of the trail.
After a level stretch, the trail begins another gentle climb, passing a more limited viewpoint on the way up, then descends steadily. At the base of the descent, the Monument Trail crosses a bridge over a stream and reaches a junction with the Steeny Kill Trail. Turn right and follow the Steeny Kill Trail back to the parking area where the hike began.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 07/16/2009
This loop hike goes along two scenic lakes and climbs to two ridges of Kittatinny Mountain, with panoramic views.
41.321351, -74.677227
Sussex Co., NJ
5 mi
3 hrs
Buy Book: Kittatinny Trails Book
Avenza App Map: Delaware Water Gap & Kittatinny 123
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Follow Route 208 North to I-287 South. Take Exit 52B of I-287 (Route 23 North), and proceed north on Route 23 for about 35 miles to High Point State Park. Continue for 1.4 miles beyond the main park entrance, turn right at the Steeny Kill Boat Launch, and proceed for 0.1 mile to a small parking area on the left.
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
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December 31, 1969
19:00 pm
Trip Reports
rate experience December 21, 2016
Reply to: mtimster
<p>Thank you for bringing this error to our attention. The coordinates listed were for the entrance road to cabins on the other shore of Steeny Kill Lake, so I have corrected them to the boat launch parking lot where this hike begins.<br />
<br />
~Jeremy<br />
TC Cartographer</p>
December 14, 2016
Wrong gps
The gps coordinates you list are incorrect. The correct coordinates are 41.32150, -74.67715.
September 07, 2013
Gorgeous Hike
<p>Hiked this in mid-August. It's very overgrown in many spots, and yes, very hard to find the trail at the end of Steeny Kill Lake. That said, this was one of my favorite hikes this summer. There were so many beautiful flowers around the lake, along the stream, and along the boardwalk - and I can't believe I've never seen the view from the "top" of NJ until this hike! Afterwards, lounged at the edge of Steeny Kill lake with a book. Couldn't have been a better day.</p>