Swimming River Reservoir–Marlu Lake, 5 sights is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Thompson Park near Phalanx, NJ. The route passes Swimming River Reservoir and Marlu Lake. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 1/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi43 – 85 ft5.2 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Reservoir Trail 40.32270, -74.13434
Nearest town Phalanx, NJ
Directions
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Swimming River Reservoir–Marlu Lake, 5 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 42 min
Elevation 44–86 ft
Out & Back · Thompson Park
Trailhead: Reservoir Trail · 40.32270, -74.13434
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:29 AM · sunset 7:24 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 585 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Reservoir Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Swimming River Reservoir.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Thompson/Inner Loop, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 1.2 miPass Marlu Lake.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Marlu Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miBear left onto Thompson Loop, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Reservoir Trail, heading SE.
- 1.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear right onto Thompson/Inner Loop, heading N.
- 100 ftBear right onto Reservoir Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 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
53% dirt8% paved39% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:29 AMSunset 7:24 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 7:24 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 585 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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