Splitrock Reservoir–Durham Pond, 6 lakes
3.6 mi · ▲ 570 ft · 1 hr 29 min
Splitrock Reservoir–Durham Pond, 6 lakes is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Buck Mountain near Smoke Rise, NJ. The route passes Indian Cliffs, Splitrock Reservoir, Misty Pond and Durham Pond before reaching Durham Pond at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 570 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Splitrock Reservoir–Durham Pond, 6 lakes
3.6 mi · ▲ 570 ft · 1 hr 29 min
Elevation 845–1,100 ft
Out & Back · Buck Mountain
Trailhead: Butternut Terr Connector · 41.00318, -74.42504
Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:22 PM
- Start on Butternut Terr Connector, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Splitrock Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftPass Indian Cliffs.
- 0.3 miPass Splitrock Reservoir.
- 50 ftPass Misty Pond.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Four Birds Trail, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Durham Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miPass Durham Pond.
- 0.2 miPass Durham Pond.
- 50 ftReach Splitrock Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Four Birds Trail, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Splitrock Trail, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Butternut Terr Connector, heading NE.
- 450 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 6:23 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from Butternut Terr Connector Trailhead
- Fugawe Ridge–Splitrock Reservoir, 3 summits 6.8 mi · ▲ 870 ft
- Splitrock Reservoir–Beaver Pond, 8 sights 13.6 mi · ▲ 1,541 ft
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