Charlie catches a bear enjoying the view from Mt. Tammany, one of Charlie’s favorite views in the county, in his photo of the week

The shortest, quickest, steepest (throw in a few more descriptions ending with ‘EST’), PLUS one breath-taking view after another, and you still have an under-rated description of the most spectacular way to the summit of Mount Tammany!!!!  TAMMANY TRAIL or the Red Dot Trail. 

You are constantly hiking uphill, however, there are enough spectacular Scenic Overlooks evenly distributed along your journey to give you some rest and pause during your ascent!!

The Photo of the Week is an introduction to Tammany Trail, also known as the Red Dot Trail.  Tammany Trail is located within Worthington State Forest on the ‘Jersey side’ of the Delaware Water Gap.  Your scenic journey begins near the shoreline of the Delaware River, which you could also say is the base of Mount Tammany, and then you ‘START UP!!’  ‘CONTINUING UP,’ you pass by many rock outcrops offering breath-taking views ‘DOWN’  and spectacular panoramic views ‘OUT & OVER.’ Believe me when I say you will be ‘PAUSING & PONDERING’ at every overlook!! Arriving up top, you can stand or sit on the large rock area known as Indian Head, named because of its appearance from far away. NOTE: No matter which way you look = SPECTACULAR!

Basic facts:  The Delaware Water Gap is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Worthington State Forest.  The River is the Delaware River and the two mountains on either side are Mount Tammany (1527ft), in New Jersey, and Mount Minsi (1463ft), on the Pennsylvania side.  The Appalachian Trail passes right through the Gap. Coming from the south, it drops down off of Mt. Minsi and crosses the Delaware River by using the I-80 Toll Bridge and then climbs back up the mountain in Worthington State Park.  This is one of the most popular places to visit in the area and, in my opinion, certainly one of the most spectacular!

To get here, park at the Dunnfield Creek Natural Area located just off I-80 West.  The back end of the parking area is where the Appalachian Trail heads north along Dunnfield Creek. After parking, turn and face the interstate and look to your left. That is the beginning of Tammany Trail, near the front entrance to the parking area.  You will be climbing up about 1200 ft in elevation.  This is a rocky trail and, while you will not be doing any ‘rock climbing,’ there are some areas that you will be literally going from one rock to another.  OBSERVATION:  You need to be in pretty good shape and a hiker for this trail. THIS IS NOT A FLIP-FLOPS and bathing suit stroll!!!  Tammany Trail ends at the Indian Head rock section. 

Most visitors make this a loop hike. After taking in the vistas, you will see a triple Blue Blaze, the beginning of the Blue Dot Trail. Follow this trail and you will be heading Northeast along Mount Tammany’s ridge through the trees and after a ¼ mile the trail turns left and begins a fairly steep descent on an old rocky woodland road.  At the bottom of your descent, you come to a junction with the green blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail.  Go left and follow the Blue and Green blazes until you come to a bench overlooking Dunnfield Creek Water Falls.  Cross over a wooden bridge and continue left down along Dunnfield Creek until you notice the White Blaze of the Appalachian Trail and follow that back to the parking lot.

Please visit my Flickr Site for a multi season visit up  Tammany Trail – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157708846113282

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President