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Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area

Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint–Lake Ames, 8 sights

9.7 mi · ▲ 1,317 ft · 3 hr 54 min

Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint–Lake Ames, 8 sights is a 9.7-mile out-and-back in Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area near Lake Telemark, NJ. The route passes Lake Ames and Lake Telemark before reaching Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint at the turnaround, 4.9 miles in. It climbs 1,317 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 25/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi637 – 1,060 ft · steepest grade: 18%10.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Ore Deal 40.95115, -74.50184
Nearest town Lake Telemark, NJ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint–Lake Ames, 8 sights

9.7 mi · ▲ 1,317 ft · 3 hr 54 min

Elevation 637–1,059 ft

Out & Back · Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area

Trailhead: Ore Deal · 40.95115, -74.50184

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:26 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass Lake Ames.
  3. 100 ftTurn left onto Lake Ames West Trail, heading NW.
  4. 0.2 miSharp right onto Anomaly Trail, heading N.
  5. 250 ftBear right onto Brook Trail, heading N.
  6. 0.2 miBear left onto Mjölnir Trail, heading NE.
  7. 50 ftBear right onto Brook Trail, heading NE.
  8. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Tent Trail, heading NE.
  9. 250 ftPass Lake Telemark.
  10. 350 ftTurn right onto Evergreen Trail, heading NE.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Low Line, heading NE.
  12. 0.3 miTurn right onto Hermod Trail, heading N.
  13. 400 ftBear left onto Shotgun Trail, heading N.
  14. 350 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  16. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Woods Road - Not Maintained, heading E.
  17. 0.2 miBear left onto KDM Woods, heading SE.
  18. 0.7 miBear left, heading SE.
  19. 0.2 miTurn left onto Hibernia Brook Trail, heading S.
  20. 0.8 miTurn right onto Four Birds Trail, heading S.
  21. 0.5 miTurn left, heading SW.
  22. 150 ftBear right, heading SW.
  23. 0.6 miReach Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 0.6 miBear left, heading NE.
  25. 0.6 miTurn left onto Hibernia Brook Trail, heading NE.
  26. 0.8 miTurn right, heading W.
  27. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  28. 0.1 miContinue straight onto KDM Woods, heading N.
  29. 0.6 miBear right onto Woods Road - Not Maintained, heading NW.
  30. 0.2 miContinue straight onto KDM Woods, heading W.
  31. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  32. 0.2 miTurn right onto Shotgun Trail, heading NE.
  33. 400 ftBear right onto Hermod Trail, heading NW.
  34. 400 ftTurn left onto Low Line, heading W.
  35. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Evergreen Trail, heading SW.
  36. 50 ftTurn left onto Tent Trail, heading SW.
  37. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Brook Trail, heading W.
  38. 0.3 miBear left onto Mjölnir Trail, heading S.
  39. 50 ftBear right onto Brook Trail, heading S.
  40. 0.2 miBear left onto Anomaly Trail, heading SW.
  41. 200 ftSharp left onto Lake Ames West Trail, heading SW.
  42. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  43. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/wildcat-ridge-wildlife-management-area-viewpoint-lake-ames-out-back-9-sights-16-km

Trail surface

86% dirt4% gravel10% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:26 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.8 mi in (~109 min). Leave by 5:17 PM for the 7:26 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Ore Deal Trailhead

Hikes near Lake Telemark, New Jersey