Manny's Swiss Army Knife Route

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This route is an all-around all-star weekend route for the weekend of backpacking! It passes by many water sources (especially around Doodletown and before ascending to West Mountain Shelter) and rambles through historical Doodletown where you can read plaques at locations of historical significance in abandoned Revolutionary War-era Doodletown.

There are at least two shelter opportunities: one is the popular and well-built West Shelter (traditional three-walled style) and one is the dilapidated (yet functional in a pinch) old church camp along The Timp Brook on the 1777 West Trail northwest of the 1777 West Trail/Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail intersection. This camp can be identified by a culvert under and rock structure next to The Timp Brook along a wide gravel part of the trail and a three-sided shelter in not-so-good condition (the roof is falling in, but will still keep you dry in an emergency).

This loop also offers a robust collection of rewarding views of the skyline from the Timp-Torne Trail (if you pay attention, you can track your progress by a fire tower on a neighboring hill), of the old nuclear power plant (India Point Energey Center) across the Hudson River from the far eastern Jones Point portion of the trail, and of Iona Island from the northern segment of the Jones Point portion of the trail.

For me, this is a very safe-feeling loop because the trails and park are popular (it hailed, stormed, rained, and temperatures bounced around on our trip, yet the trails were still being used by trail runners, hikers, and backpackers), there are shelters and plenty of water, and it is difficult to stay lost for long because the parks aren't too far from society. This loop is likely very easy for experienced backpackers, but was pleasantly challenging for my partner and I to complete in a day and a couple of hours the next morning (we took plenty of breaks to take in the views).

There is a second potentially more popular parking lot off the Jones Point lobe of the route on Route 9W. Where the Timp-Torne Trail and Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail intersect at the far eastern portion of Jones Point, follow the combined trail down the steep descent toward the highway to get to the parking lot.

The loop seems to be really popular with trail runners! Even on the muddy, wet, cold, stormy day when we hiked this loop, a group of trail runners were using the Timp-Torne Trail, a second solo train runner was using the Timp-Torne Trail, a third trail runner was using the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail by the church camp, and a fourth trail runner was using the 1777 Trail near Doodletown. The 1777 Trail is definitely easier (easier footing and less elevation gain) to navigate for trail runners than the Timp-Torne Trail, which can be pretty rocky and have difficult footing.

From the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area parking lot, take the Anthony Wayne Trail north to the intersection with the Timp-Torne Trail. From that point forward, stay on the Timp-Torne Trail (the "blue" trail-- look for the blue blazes, which are oftentimes on the slabs and rocks near the scenic overlooks at higher elevations) all the way to its intersection with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail at the far eastern edge on Jones Point (the far eastern lobe of the route that overlooks the Hudson and the nuclear power plant).

Then, take the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (white blaze with a red dot in the middle) to its intersection of the 1777 Trail (just north of the intersection of the 1777 Trail and the Timp-Torne Trail, if you're looking at a map). Next, follow the 1777 Trail north until the trail splits into the 1777 West Trail and 1777 East Trail. Take the 1777 West Trail. Take the 1777 West Trail west across Doodletown Brook and through the portion of the park that includes plaques identifying areas of historical significance in abandoned Doodletown.

Continue to take the 1777 West Trail until its intersection with the New Jersey New York Appalachian Trail. Take the AT south-west to the Fawn Trail, which will you take you right down to the Anthony Wayne Trail where you began your run. Use the Anthony Wayne Trail to get back to the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area. If you're looking for a longer trek, this route is easily modifiable and could be easily expanded to include all the gems of this loop plus other nearby gems, like Bear Mountain!

All kinds! We didn't see too many, but I would imagine there are deer, foxes, songbirds (there are several birdwatching spots along the route), etc.

This loop passes through historical abandoned Revolutionary-War era Doodletown, includes views of the retired India Point Energy Center (nuclear plant), and passed by an old tunnel along the southern Jones Point route!