Buck Mountain

Splitrock Reservoir–Misty Pond, 5 sights

4 mi · ▲ 551 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Splitrock Reservoir–Misty Pond, 5 sights is a 4-mile out-and-back in Buck Mountain near Smoke Rise, NJ. The route passes Splitrock Reservoir and Misty Pond. It climbs 551 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi840 – 1,063 ft · steepest grade: 16%4.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook 41.00367, -74.41786
Nearest town Smoke Rise, NJ

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Splitrock Reservoir–Misty Pond, 5 sights

4 mi · ▲ 551 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Elevation 839–1,062 ft

Out & Back · Buck Mountain

Trailhead: Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook · 41.00367, -74.41786

Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:22 PM

  1. Start on Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook, heading W.
  2. 0.7 miBear left, heading W.
  3. 0.2 miBear right onto Orange Trail, heading W.
  4. 350 ftPass Splitrock Reservoir.
  5. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  6. 50 ftPass Misty Pond.
  7. 50 ftTurn left onto Woods Road, heading NW.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Durham Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.6 miSharp right onto Fox Trail, heading W.
  10. 0.2 miReach Splitrock Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 0.2 miSharp left onto Durham Trail, heading S.
  12. 0.6 miBear left onto Woods Road, heading SE.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  14. 100 ftBear left onto Orange Trail, heading SE.
  15. 0.3 miBear left, heading E.
  16. 0.2 miBear right onto Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook, heading NE.
  17. 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

39% dirt61% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:31 AMSunset 7:22 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~54 min). Leave by 6:08 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

More from Blue Trail Connector to Indian Cliffs Outlook Trailhead