I’ve been to the 130+ foot Bearfort Fire Tower countless times over the past two score years I’ve been in the neighborhood, but today’s trip was unique. I hiked up from Union Valley Road via the Highlands Trail to the tower.

In the past, I’ve taken the dirt access road from Stephen’s Road via foot or bike (and have never hiked via the Highlands Trail). As a child, one of my birthday parties was a hike up this very road. On 9/11, I rode my mountain bike to this spot and saw the smoke plume from downtown smeared across the sky…. On a brigher note, my son’s first Scouting experience was a hike up this very road – on my birthday no less!

I think this hike (or bike) and many others like it has had a profound influence on my life — and I hope the people (scouts, childhood friends, adults) I have been with on this mountain top in the Highlands of New Jersey have fond memories of Bearfort.

Needless to say, I am familiar with the fire tower and this area – but today’s hike shed new light on a familiar place.

Hiking up from Union Valley, I crossed some ridges and exposed rock areas I hadn’t seen before and traversed long, grassy ridgelines with nice views. (wonder what it looks like hiking in from the Clinton Road side??)

From Union Valley Road, the Fire Tower is less than two miles up and well worth the visit. In a little over an hour, I quickly hiked up and back. (Others may take longer/shorter depending on fitness, etc.).

Not sure it’s legal to be up here but, be careful going down…

More pics on Flickr….