By Tom Z on April 19, 2010
As a kid who used to play along these tracks years ago, I was looking forward to riding this trail. I had not set foot in this area in about 30 years. The trail was considerably washed out in the area from Verona High School to the Essex County Hospital Center. It was better continuing along to the Little Falls end. I don't know if it was a mess because of the recent damaging rains or lack of maintenance. This would be a great suburban trail with a little grading and smoothing from the county.
By Fred on March 16, 2002
" The West Essex Trail (aka- Caldwell Bikeway and currently part of the Lenape Trail) is now about 3 1/2 miles long. It extends from the active Boonton Line tracks (just north of Francisco Ave in Little Falls) to the end of Arnold Way in Verona. The trail actually had continued another 1/3 mile to Bloomfield Ave, but recently a house was built across the ROW just beyond Arnold Way. An old section between Bloomfield Ave and Caldwell College is still there, but overgrown, since it is cut off from the main trail. The best parking is in the Cedar Grove Municipal Park. The trail is quite heavily used by walkers, joggers and bikers. A trestle over the Peckman River, currently closed, is scheduled for renovation soon. From the Peckman River, the grade is gently up in either direction. The surface is generally foot and bike friendly, with a few eroded spots, and some ties in place on the bridge over Pompton Ave.
Since the trail is less than 2 miles from my house, I frequently hike there when I am pressed for time, or the weather is threatening.
The ""gorge"" at the Peckman River can be quite impressive after a rain, and a high fill north of the Cedar Grove Park is a noteworthy attraction.
Dog walkers are quite frequent on this trail. Many of the yards abutting the trail are home to dogs, but all are fenced off from the trail. The trail is generally well shaded, making it a pleasant walk in the hot summer. It is suitable for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, if we ever get snow!
All-in-all, this is a nice walk in a suburban area.
Rates a 7 out of 10!
Fred"
By Tony on February 24, 2002
Cedar Grove Township has allocated the necessary funds to rehabilitate the now closed bridge over Peckmann Falls.
Soon you won't have to take the detour through Community Park.