Ogden Mine Railroad Path

This trail is located in the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation which is a unit of the Morris County Park Commission. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed through hardwood forests, past ponds, swamps and wetlands. At the southern end, the trail can be reached from a parking lot off of Weldon Road at Saffin Rock Rill. Follow the yellow trail blazes on the left which lead to a slight uphill grade to the rail bed. The trail surface is a mixture of dirt and gravel. The trail is intersected on the left by the Highlands hiking trail. Here the trail flattens and follows the contours of a ridge to Saffin Pond where there are picnic tables and a large parking lot along Weldon Road. The trail crosses Weldon Road and passes ponds and wetlands. Look for fallen trees near the ponds from activity by resident beaver. Some of the ponds contain beaver lodges. The section of trail north of the Saffin Pond parking area has had a large amount of gravel laid down to stabilize the surface; it makes for rough bike riding. The trail leaves the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and enters the Weldon Brook Wildlife Management Area. The surface changes back to dirt and signs along the trail indicate that you have entered the Wildlife Management Area. The trail passes through the lower end of Pine Swamp and over the Wallkill River. The trail ends at Hayward Road in a residential development where there is only on street parking. Maps of all of the trails in the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation are available at the parking lots.

From Interstate 80, take Exit 34 for New Jersey Route 15 north. In Hurdtown take the exit for Weldon Road, approximately 4 miles. Follow Weldon Road east about 1 mile where you will enter the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Look for parking at Saffin Rock Rill or Saffin Pond on the right side of the road.