Otter Hole, Chikahoki Falls, Caris Hill, Hi-Point (Norvin Green State Forest)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 5.94 miles
Elevation: 1,125 feet
Time: 3 hour, 1 minute (2 hours, 51 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge
The Hike
Back to what I believe to be my favorite park in New Jersey, Norvin Green State Forest! I was over here in the winter to hike the Wyanokie Tourne/Osio Rock loop, now I wanted to explore a few new spots while hitting some well-loved classics. I made it to the Otter Hole parking lot with no problems, got suited up, and off I went!
I knew there was a lot of rain up north, and I wasn't sure how much of it hit this area, but I was thrilled to see that the Otter Hole wasn't totally flooded and the rock hops were in great shape. There was some new reflective signage where the Highlands Trail joins the Hewitt-Butler Trail which was fun to see. Everytime I do these hikes in NJ I realize I'm officially of the age where I notice things changing which is strange, but cool.
A little ways down an unmarked trail continues straight while the Hewitt-Butler/Highlands Trails turn, and it did take me a minute to notice that I messed that one up (oops). Regardless, I was thrilled with how dry the trail was! Also minimal bugs so far - much to be greatful for. I passed a lovely hiker who was questioning her life choices coming up this trail - I understood greatly, I made the same mistake a few years ago. The grade is moderate at its worst, but it packs a punch!
I continued on, admiring the tea-stained water and occasional stream running in to join. You know you're getting closer to the falls when the current picks up and there are a few cascades, ultimately leading to Chikahoki Falls. Unfortunately, the best view of the falls is from the other side of the basin pool, and there was no dry way to make the crossing on this day. Lovely, nonetheless!
I couldn't help but notice I had only descended up until this point, and I know the Wyanokies love their steep ascents, so I started to mentally prep for what was to come, also while realizing that I had a quite a full lunch... whoops. I continued along, noticing that the trail may have been blazed in a different color in the past due to peculiar markings on the trees. There was a medium climb to a grassy ridge after the falls which led to a stunning fern-filled forest near the Carris Hill trailhead.
As predicted, once on the Carris Hill Trail we were climbing. My lunch sure did not feel fantastic heading straight up on a hot July afternoon, but nevertheless, I persisted. The geology of the area was very unique and beautiful, the glaciers really did a great job here! There was a daunting headwall the trail skirted around which led to the first of many lovely views.
The steepness was far from over after the first view, but at least there were a bunch of cute little mushrooms to keep me company as I was fighting for my life! The next vistas had great views of NYC and the Wanaque Reservoir, which I enjoyed while wiping the sweat from my eyes. Thankfully there was a slight breeze to make a feeble attempt at survival.
The trail was a little more grown-in higher up with a few baby blueberries scattered about, in addition to many false summits. This was quite a challenging climb by New Jersey standards, but thankfully it was consistently rewarding with views! Finally up on Carris Hill I took a nice break to enjoy the view into the forest and the dragonflies zooming above (and to wring the sweat out from my shirt).
Continuing on toward Hi-Point, the trail heads back into the woods through some lovely rhododendron/moutnain laurel (my goal is to learn the difference when not in bloom) and just a few hungy mosquitos. There was a small stream crossing where I saw my second and third people of the day, and eventually came to Yoo-Hoo Point, which was a rather open area with a cool view toward Hi-Point.
Throughout all of this I couldn't help but think about the defunct NJ1k Challenge. The originaly challenge never took off, and the creators officially disbanded it a couple years ago. I think a main issue was how inaccessible many of the peaks were (either bushwhacking, private property, or both). Maybe a new version would only include peaks on parklands or non-bushwhacking peaks? Maybe a "gold version" could be unique summits versus peakbagging? We'll see what/if I come up with anything!
Back to reality, there was a fantastic breeze at Yoo-Hoo Point, and I decided to make the steep final climb to Wyanokie Hi-Point, which has always been a beautiful, favorite spot, and I made the right choice. Somehow the temperature was 10 degrees cooler on this open rock with a PERFECT breeze and many butterflies. I took a nice long break here and dried out my sopping wet shirt. I finally saw my fourht person just as I was heading back to continue on my hike.
Now mentally I was ready to be back, but I was FAR from actually being back. I was horrified to realize I still had a moderate climb to a featureless ridge that truly took my breath away (deragatory), plus I had found all of the bugs! There were some open areas with lush vegetation and an occasional swamp that did make this a pretty trail, but I was deep in my own crankiness.
I started to zone out in my last couple of miles. There were an insane amount of moths near the orange/yellow junction in a really beautiful forest, and just a little commotion in the woods that could truly have been a mammal of any size. I enjoyed one last view before landing on the green Otter Hole Trail, which was a comfortable road grade leading back to the Hewitt-Butler Trail, and back to the car.
Step-By-Step
- Park at Otter Hole Parking.
- Enter woods at blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail.
- Cross Otter Hole, turn right at jct. to continue on Hewitt-Butler Trail (coincides with teal-blazed Highlands Trail).
- In two junctions, continue right onto white-blazed Posts Brook Trail.
- At next junction, turn left onto white-blazed Lower Trail.
- Soon after, turn left again onto yellow-blazed Carris Hill Trail.
- At Carris Hill, continue right onto blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail/teal-blazed Highlands Trail.
- Follow Hewitt-Butler/Highlands to Wyanokie High Point.
- From Wyanokie High Point, turn around and retrace steps to junction with red-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail.
- Follow red-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail.
- At next junction, turn left onto orange-blazed Outlaw Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto yellow-blazed Wyanokie Crest Trail.
- At next junction, turn left onto green-blazed Otter Hole Trail.
- At terminus, return to car via blue-blazed Hewitt-Butler Trail.
