Millstone Trail/Matapan Rock Trail Loop

Cross to the east side of Skyline Drive, where a sign marks the start of the Todd Trail. Follow this white-blazed trail as it winds downhill on a rocky footpath and then ascends from a shallow ravine. In half a mile, the trail turns right onto a woods road, which almost immediately turns sharply left. A short distance beyond, you will notice three yellow diamond blazes that mark the start of the Yellow Trail.

Turn left and follow the Yellow Trail, which heads north, soon reaching Todd Lake. The trail follows along the west shore of the lake, passing a rock ledge at lake level with a view over the lake (covered in the summer with water lilies). After climbing steeply to a rock outcrop near the north end of the lake (from which a water tower for the Ramapo Reserve development is visible to the right), the Yellow Trail begins a steady, rather steep descent to a valley, crossing a stream on the way down. At the base of the descent, the trail crosses another stream (which may be dry if it hasn't rained lately). The trail now joins an old woods road and begins to ascend.

Soon, the Yellow Trail turns left, leaving the woods road, and begins a steady climb on a footpath. On the way up, you'll pass an old stone wall to the right, and you may be able to catch glimpses, through the trees, of Campgaw Mountain to the east. The trail eventually levels off on a shoulder of the ridge.

About two miles from the start of the hike, continue on the Yellow Trail as it joins the white-blazed Millstone Trail. Just beyond, you'll notice a sign for "millstones." Here, several abandoned millstones in various stages of completion may be seen to the left of the trail. This area was once the site of a millstone quarry, and the stones that you see were either damaged during quarrying or abandoned when the quarry operation shut down. (Another millstone, in nearly perfect condition, is a short distance down the trail, about 25 feet off the trail to the right.) This is a good spot to take a break.

Now go back uphill, briefly retracing your steps, and bear right at the fork, following the white blazes of the Millstone Trail. After climbing a little more, you'll reach an open area at the crest of the rise, with a huge boulder balanced on several smaller rocks to the right. To the left, there are several patches of prickly pear cactus, which blooms in early July.

After a brief descent, the trail climbs to the top of Millstone Hill, where there is a viewpoint to the southwest. It then descends, passing to the right of a huge boulder designated as "Sitting Hen Rock." At the base of the descent, the trail goes through "Rocky Slide Gulch," a shallow notch. Just beyond, the Millstone Trail crosses the orange-blazed Schuber Trail.

The Millstone Trail now bears right and goes along the edge of the Azalea Swamp. It then turns right onto a grassy woods road and begins a steady descent. After passing a wooden latrine and an interesting rock formation on the right, the trail reaches the Explorer Cabin of Camp Glen Gray. Here, the Schuber Trail briefly joins. (Camp Glen Gray is owned by Bergen County and managed by the Friends of Glen Gray. Cabins and other camp facilities may be rented by interested parties. (201)327-7234;

Just beyond, you'll reach the shore of Lake Vreeland. Turn left here, leaving the Millstone Trail, and follow the orange blazes of the Schuber Trail. You'll go by the Nancy Gasser Memorial Pavilion along the lake shore and head uphill, passing several camp buildings. Just beyond the Gilwell campsite (on the right side of the trail), you'll notice three red-on-white blazes on a tree. They mark the start of the Matapan Rock Trail.

Turn left and follow the Matapan Rock Trail, which heads uphill. Be alert for a left turn, where the trail leaves the road, heads uphill on a footpath, then turns left on another road. When you reach a wide grassy swath - the route of a gas pipeline - turn left, then immediately bear right and cross the grassy swath diagonally. A red-on-white blaze should be visible at the opposite edge of the grassy swath.

At the crest of the rise, you'll cross a gravel road and then another marked trail. Continue straight ahead to the end of the Matapan Rock Trail at Matapan Rock, a rock ledge which affords an expansive view to the west. Skyline Drive is directly below, but in the summer, the vegetation largely obscures it. After enjoying the view, retrace your steps to the crossing of the Hoeferlin Memorial/Cannonball Trail, marked with yellow and red-C-on-white blazes. Turn right and proceed south along the joint Hoeferlin Memorial/Cannonball Trail.

In another half a mile, the trails briefly emerge onto Skyline Drive, where they cross a gas pipeline. Just beyond the pipeline, they bear left and re-enter the woods, soon crossing a wet area. About half a mile beyond, bear left onto the yellow-blazed Hoeferlin Memorial Trail, as the Cannonball Trail proceeds ahead on the woods road. Be alert, as this turn is easy to miss.

Soon, the yellow trail begins a steady climb through mountain laurel to reach a rock outcrop, then descends very steeply. At the base of the descent, a sign points to the way to an Indian shelter, believed to have been used by Native Americans during their hunting season. A short distance ahead, the trail reaches Skyline Drive, just opposite the parking area where the hike began.