Garret Mountain (NJ)

Length: 4 mi.
Skill: Easy

Highlights: •Lambert's Castle •Benson Memorial •Crow's Nest •Barbour's Pond •Warming Shelter •Abandoned Picnic Grove •Equestrian Center •Lookouts •Observation Tower
Parking Coordinates: Lambert's Castle: 40.900335, -74.173136

Garret Mountain Trail Map

Here is the parking area by Lambert Castle (which is on the left)

Lambert Castle

Here is the start of the YELLOW trail which we will follow throughout the entire hike

The very beginning starts with a winding incline

When you get to the top of the hill you will see the Observation tower

We will finish our hike with the tower, for now, turn right continuing the YELLOW trail

Here are the stone steps mentioned on the map

Bear left here towards the meadow

You will be walking through the meadow

Now here you can either bear right to the start of the WHITE trail which will take you to a lookout (as you can see there is parking here also), or bear left continuing the YELLOW trail. Follow the YELLOW trail.

Here is the Benson Memorial

If you're not paying attention, you may not realize the YELLOW blazes that are painted on the guardrails, follow this road up to the Communications tower pictured here

Here is the Communications tower and below it, a sign for Crow's nest, check it out before you continue on the YELLOW trail

1 mi.

Crow's Nest

Now, continue the YELLOW trail and you will see Overlook Meadow on your left along with more parking

Here is where I got confused. The YELLOW trail continues straight and the WHITE trail runs through it. the WHITE trail that bears to the right also has YELLOW blazes on it so don't be fooled.

We need to continue up this hill

Time to gown down a steep hill

It was surprisingly steep!

Here we have to cross Park Rd.

And walk alongside Mountain Ave. until we reach...

Barbour's Pond! A beautiful place

One duck flew so quickly towards me when I walked to the edge of the pond that I'll admit, it scared me a little! That signaled the others to come rushing so I assume people feed them frequently

Gazebo near Slippery Rock Brook

This shelter is our halfway marker for our hike.

Now don't get confused and follow the loop around the rest of Barbour's pond, we need to stick to the YELLOW blazes that continue BEHIND this warming shelter.

There were public bathrooms there but they had padlocks on the doors. Perhaps they are open to use during the summer.
2.3 mi.

Now the YELLOW trail behind the shelter continues upward

I was lucky to see some deer with their dark winter coats, they came pretty close to me!

Here are some images of an Abandoned Picnic Grove

Picnic tables...

Playground and other structures...

Time to cross yet another road! Park Rd.

If you go straight, that is the start of the WHITE trail which is bridle path, we are going to bear right and continue the YELLOW.

I promise this is the last time we will cross a road! If you continue up that driveway it will take you to the Passaic County Sheriff / Equestrian Center, but don't, the YELLOW trail continues along the road to th right side of the stables and eventually through the Sheriff's parking lot!
2.80 mi.