This is the hike of the week for 5/23/2008 as
described on the NYNJTC site.
The day was perfect for hiking (the temperature didn't rise about 60 F). And the fall foliage was gorgeous. We passed no less than eight lakes and ponds during the 4.5-hour, 8.5-mile figure eight. We were astounded not to see a single other hiker, though we did see a handful of mountain bicyclists, and we didn encounter crowds at Shepherd Lake when we got back to the car at about 1:30 PM (in the morning at about 9 AM, there wasn't another soul).
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The beach sand at Shepherd Lake |
Church on the hill by the lake |
Lady and the lake |
Boat launch |
Fall colors across Lake Shepherd |
On the Ringwood-Ramapo trail |
Significant leaf drop on |
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Old stone foundation |
Climbing Mt. Defiance |
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Ringwood Manor from Mt. Defiance |
View west |
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View of Skylands Manor from Halifax spur |
Wanaque Reservoir |
Close up of Wanaque Reservoir |
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Another look-out off Ringwood-Ramapo trail |
Wanaque Reservoir |
Gorgeous carriage road |
Turkey vulture |
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Beautiful leafy path |
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On the Crossover trali |
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Bridge over stream |
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Gatun Pond |
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Fall colors at Gatun Pond |
Reflections |
Gatun Pond |
Radio-controlled plane field |
Brushwood Pond ... |
... south of the field |
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Two roads diverged in a wood |
Pond on unmarked carriage road |
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Old rusted fire plug |
Weyble Pond |
Lunch at Weyble |
Soaring hawk |
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Unmarked carriage road |
Padded with leaves |
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Curious bug |
Different angle |
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Homestead fence? |
Southern Glasmere Pond |
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Northern-most Glasmere Pond |
Fall colors on Glasmere Pond |
Abandonded stable |
Inside the stable |
View of stable |
Abandonded gate house |
Arch of gate house |
Downstairs fireplace |
Upstairs |
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Switchbacking up Mt. Defiance |
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Interesting rock striations |
[Photo by Laura] |
Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |