"Hiker Review.

This trail's distance is open to interpretation. The first 0.7 miles of the railbed (south from Rte 301 at Lake Canopus) is part of the Appalachian Trail, and is designated as the AT. At 0.7 miles, the AT leaves the railbed to the left, and the trail becomes known as the Old Mine Railroad Trail (2.2 miles from here). It is marked by yellow blazes. The trail is supported by extensive rock work bridging several wet areas. It passes Hidden Lake on two causeways, passing through thick laurel growth. In the lower section, a woods road joins the railbed and runs along with it. Just before John Allen Pond, the trail turns sharply left, and crosses the pond inlet at a point of land, where the original railbed disappears into the pond. The trail follows the shore of the pond through dense laurels and soon reaches the dirt Sunk Mine Road.

This trail is very scenic and mostly level. Maps are available at the park or through the NYNJ Trail Conference with which one can plan many loop hikes with other park trails and woods roads.

Rates an 8 out of 10!

-Fred"