Upper Skyline, Indian Shelter, Mattapan Rock, Camp Glen Grey, Tower on Unmarked Trail

Length: 8 Miles

Skill: Moderate/Strenuous
Highlights:  •Indian Shelter •Matapan Rock Lookout •Camp Glen Grey •Lake Vreeland •Explorer/Pioneer Trail •Tower •Ramapo Lake
Parking Coordinates: Upper Skyline Parking:

Here is a map for reference 

Let's start at Upper Skyline Drive parking. From there we cross the road to the right side so we can start the YELLOW Hoeferlin trail which is near Smokey.

 Very soon into the trail you see the trail continues straight but you can take a look at the "Indian Shelter" to the left

Indian Shelter

Beautiful, rocky trail

Soon our YELLOW trail turns into the red CANNONBALL trail. 

Over here, we are passing through a gas line of some sort

Continue through that area and continue the YELLOW/CANNONBALL  TRAIL

At 1.70 mi, we see from the top marker that the red trail splits left and right. We will turn right onto the RED trail to see the Matapan rock lookout

If you go straight onto the Cannonball/yellow, it will take you in the opposite direction up north.

Follow the RED...

Now the RED trail ends soon after we make that left as indicated by the triple blaze

***Matapan Rock Lookout***

Okay, let's turn around now and continue the RED trail 

It will lead us to cross this gravel path which is a pipeline.

Let's continue this trail downhill a bit following a small stream

Now here is a little secret place that you won't find on your map. Here is the start of Camp Glen Grey - a campsite. 

The first past we see is an outhouse-type structure that can be used but I wouldn't suggest it. at 2.22 mi.

This barn/shack houses a huge tank inside. The doors are pad-locked.

Now we can continue an unmarked trail which passes a picnic area....

And "Bobcat Hollow" -A section of the campsite

"Hawk Ridge"

Soon, this unmarked trail joins with the ORANGE on the right, follow it. To your left you will see a bridge and a "Troop 12" Sign on the tree. 

Continue on the ORANGE trail 

It brings us to "Price Cabin" on our left

"Price Cabin"

Continue on the ORANGE passing this bridge on your right

You will come up behind these signs. I took a picture of what they say, you can see that this is where we would have come out from the red trail if we hadn't taken the unmarked trail from the beginning. 

Cross this pathway 

Check it out, to your left is an amphitheater

View of Lake Vreeland when you are seated at the ampitheater

Here we see a small bunking area

Bunks

Lake Vreeland

Lake Vreeland 

Gazebo along the ORANGE trail

Compass in the gazebo 

Lake Vreeland

Information post

This part is fun. You can choose one of two routes. Explorer (Orange) on the left, or Pioneer (White) on the right. We decided to take the Pioneer.

 Beautiful path

The WHITE Pioneer trail connects with the ORANGE trail that will lead us back to the car 

 Keep going!

 Once we get back to Skyline Drive, let's  cross it to where we parked and take the main trail which begins as Rye Cliff Rd. This is considered an unmarked trail on the map, but it is paved and will lead us straight to Ramapo Lake.

Soon you see a street sign pole...but no street name. Look closely to the left and you can see the start of the YELLOW trail. Continue on the unmarked road (which is Rye Cliff Rd.)

It brings you to a tower which borders private property