Jeremy Glick’s Overlooks, as it is titled in the hiking guide West Milford Baker’s Dozen, is a gorgeous 4+ mile hike in the Highlands of New Jersey right on the New York border.

I’ve been in this area many times over the years – all on separate occasions, I hiked here with my wife (then girlfriend), my son, my Uncle, my friend Tony and camped out by Suprise Lake with my dad when I was a kid. (I recall a pre-suspension mountain bike ride down the State Line trial – not advised then OR now – with my buddy Jay.)

Starting right on the NY-NJ state line you hike straight up to the top of the ridge for awesome views of Greenwood Lake, Monksville Reservoir in the distance and NYC on the skyline. Then, on through ravines, pitch pines, conglomerate rock ridges and rhododendrons to circle Surprise Lake.

Google Maps shows the many stone ridges in the area as well as the fairly large Surprise Lake up on the mountain top. The Appalachian Trail follows these stone ridges before and after the NY state line.
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Here are some more pics on Flickr.  Now, get out there!

I’ve been to Terrace Pond a number of times over the years. It is always an impressive place. Lots of ups/downs and scrambling lead you to a beautiful surprise lake on top of a mountain.

Serious summertime “surprises” are the protected timber rattlers who sun themselves on the rocks here. Today I was a little concerned about finding a hungry, post-hibernation black bear….

I kept my eyes, ears and nose open and banged some rocks together every once in a while. However, the only animals I saw were two turkey vultures soaring overhead.

Rain dumped the other day. Some reports say 7 inches. Add the melting dump of snow we had a few weeks ago and you have flooding.

The photo above is the outlet of Terrace Pond in the Highlands of NJ.

This hike is one of the Baker’s Dozen of sweet little hikes in the area. It was wet and sloppy today but with some careful foot placements on rocks, snow, roots and ice I only stepped in mud a few times.

This is not a great time for hiking – too much damage can be done to the trails – and it will stay yucky until all this water drains or dries  out. I could have gone swimming a few times today – on the trail not in the pond – but luckily avoided any potential hypothermia slips/splashes…

These types of signs always seem funny out of season, out of context.

BUT, when the weather gets warm heed its warning. Someone dies in Terrace Pond almost every year. It is so inviting but don’t swim here, in beautiful, rugged Terrace Pond.

View from the top of West Milford at 1,486 feet.

Here are some more pics on Flickr.

Big Beech Mountain is one of West Milford’s Baker’s Dozen of peaks in the New Jersey Highlands.

Today’s hike was dampened, literally, by a slight drizzle and clouds. No, good peak-top views but still a great hike with a few rocky scrambles and false summits to keep things interesting.

About 5 miles, the trek lies in the Wanaque Wildlife Management area. It took about 2 hours to cover the distance with slightly snow and iced over areas. MUCHO snow melt run-off makes this an early morning hike for the next few days (mornings will have more firm, slightly frozen walking surface – later will mean more mud and more damage/erosion).

Looking forward to a clear view from the summit in the future – and to bringing someone up here soon to show them what the NY-NJ border has to offer.

More pics on my Flicker.

Did two bushwacking snowshoe trips last week not far from home. Here’s one pic…

Lots of great stuff on the NY-NJ border overlooking Greenwood Lake. Just a few hours each day in the woods clears the mind. Been warm outside ever since… Glad I got out when I did!  More pics on Flickr.

Right on the border of New Jersey and New York sits the NJ Highlands.  A plethora of mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers that provide water to much of the other 2/3 of the Garden State.

In West Milford NJ is the Baker’s Dozen. Thirteen peaks well worth climbing to get great views of the region and across the border to New York State.

Today I snowshoed up Horse Pond Mtn to see said views as well as the U-shaped Monksville Reservoir. A beautiful, sunny day with temps above 40 F.

Only wild life I saw were turkey vultures, a nuthatch, six buffleheads, a few Canada geese and two swans.

I’ve climbed Horse Pond before in the summer and snow covered is definitely worth the extra effort. The bare trees gave an even greater view – if that’s possible!

Yea, it’s possible! If you’re heading out this weekend expect thawing conditions = wet. Wear your woolies!!

Here are more pics on Flickr.