Campgaw Mountain Reservation Trail(s) Distances?

[Linda Frank]

Interested in doing Campgaw Mountain Reservation this weekend.  Info on NY/NJ Trail Conference's website puts total distance of myriad trail network at 7.6 miles.  At least they were able to ascertain that since my call this morning to the Reservation's offices yielded no mileage info whatsoever.  

COPY OF TRAIL MAP

But...does anyone know the individual distances of each trail?  I always find that info useful if one should get lost (who, me? ) and/or needs to cut a hike short for whatever reason.

Hoping to do this tomorrow and that I'm not asking this question too late.  Regardless, I think we'll take a shot at it since it's not that far a drive, it's in a no-hunting area and the total distance looks rewarding.

Thanks in advance. Also....any info on facilities there?  Or is that just wishful thinking? :(

Linda 

[Linda Frank]

Answering my own question here since we did this today (Saturday).  Perhaps most everyone else was out holiday shopping today because the trails were virtually empty.  We met, perhaps, three or four other couples and/or families along the trails.  

Traffic noises abound from nearby highway, but after a short climb on the Red Trail, you could hear a pin (or remaining autumn leaf) drop.  Not much in the way of views except for the panorama of the Ramapos and Harriman off in the distance from atop Campgaw Mountain peak near the top of the ski lift  Normally, I suspect an easy-moderate hike, but due to  lots of leaf covering AT-like consistently rock-strewn muddy trails, level of difficulty marginally increased. Good elevation climbs afforded good calf and quad exercise. Slowed descents due to aforementioned trail conditions did likewise for knees and ankles.  

Most trails average 1 mile or less w/main loop trail (Red) averaging 3+ miles.  We managed to put together a configuration of them all (including the out-back Silver Trail) and tallied up 7.7 miles.  Great day to be out in the woods and moving under near-cloudless, crisp late autumn skies.

Oh, and "yes" there is a **porta john at the second parking lot near the maintenance building. 

**Porta John. aka: The Holy Grail Of Hikers**  I swear these things emanate an aura when spotted at either a trailhead or midway along a trail! :)

Linda

[Daniela Wagstaff]

You are too funny, Linda!  You can imagine my disappointment and ensuing panic weekend before last when I anticipated a port-a-john half a mile into the hike per the park map only to find IT WAS NOT THERE!  No aura, no nothing.

[njHiking.com]

HAH! Porta-johns at trailheads/mid-hike totally emanate an aura... and sometimes a hallelujah chorus!

I've even waypointed several and keep them in our GPS, so I have them handy when we redo trails.

We'll have to check out Campgaw, we'd never gotten around to it because it didn't look like it would have long enough trails, and always end up at Ramapo instead.

Dawn