MacEvoy/Lookout Trails Lollipop-Loop

From the southern end of the parking area, follow the blue blazes of the MacEvoy Trail. The trail passes stone ruins, turns right onto a woods road, and heads uphill to Ramapo Lake. For much of the way, it parallels a brook with several cascades (particularly attractive after heavy rains). About half a mile from the start, the white-blazed Todd Trail begins to the right, and the MacEvoy Trail crosses a tributary stream. Continue along the blue-blazed trail. Soon, the lake comes into view, and the trail descends to reach a paved estate road. Turn left and follow the road downhill to the dam. Here, the blue blazes turn right, but you should continue ahead across the dam, now briefly following the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Trail.

About 100 feet beyond the southern end of the dam, look for three red blazes that mark the start of the red-blazed Lookout Trail. Turn left, leaving the lakeshore road, and follow the red trail, which rises briefly, then dips down to parallel a stream (the other side of the stream that you followed on the way up to the lake). Soon, it turns away from the stream and begins a steady climb for about a quarter of a mile. The trail levels off and passes a large rock ledge to the left, which affords a limited east-facing view, with I-287 visible below. It then descends slightly, and soon turns sharply right.

The red trail continues at about the same elevation, with several short but steep ups and downs, for two-thirds of a mile. You'll pass another rock ledge to the left of the trail which offers an east-facing view over Oakland and High Mountain. Then, after a short climb, you'll reach a junction with the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Trail amidst pine trees. Turn left at this junction and follow the yellow trail. A few steps ahead along this trail is a viewpoint to the west, through the pines, from a large rock expanse. The Wyanokies stand out in sharp contrast against the horizon.

Return to the junction and turn left on the joint Hoeferlin/Lookout Trail, with both yellow and red blazes. Soon, you'll soon reach a rock ledge with a limited view over Ramapo Lake. Then, after crossing a seasonal stream, the trail climbs to a rock outcrop with an expansive view of Ramapo Lake below. From here, the trail descends steadily and soon ends at the shore of the lake. The beginning of the Lookout Trail (where you started up the mountain) is a short distance to your right, and just beyond that is the blue-blazed MacEvoy Trail on which you came up to the lake. Cross the dam, turn right into the woods on the blue trail, and follow it back to the parking area where the hike began.