May 11, 2022

Ringwood State Park
Five Ponds Connector & Race Trail

hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing

Having looked over the maps again and again and again, I decided to begin where I began: the eastern most places that I hadn’t visited in quite some time. I chose a large loop in Ringwood State Park that began at PC with the pink blaze trail to the Five Ponds Connector (pink and black blaze), following the northern end of the Ringwood-Ramapo trail (red blaze) to Race trail (orange blaze). I’d done most of the race trail already but not this section of it. Whether it is new or just new to me I’m not quite sure, but I needed to check it off my list and this seemed like a great day to do it.

From Shepherd Lake I followed Shepherd Lake Road all the way back to PC, which is, as they say, a hike. But road walking and my new shoes did not make a good match for my feet. I had just purchased Altra Lone Peaks and this was a break in hike. They were ok but I knew almost instantly that these shoes and my feet weren’t a good fit. Altra’s are a good shoe, don’t get me wrong. It’s obvious why people like them. I love how they fit on my foot in the shop, but the minimalist design just wasn’t comfortable out on trail. I felt every rock and root under my foot and after the road walk my plantar fasciitis had had enough. I continued to wear these shoes, though, because they cost a lot money. I learned in the end, that saving a buck comes at a cost. Plus, the durability of Lone Peaks lived up to the reputation: in three months time of moderate use the shoe just started to crumble apart. I use them now for the gym sometimes, but I won’t ever purchase another pair.

But we’re not here to talk about shoes! We’re here to talk TRAIL! I had a pretty magical day when I hiked the 5 Ponds. It started with seeing two owls directly above me on trail. Continued on with sightings of deer and turtles and other amphibious leapings into water. It was an overcast and cool day and no one else was on the trail. I didn’t see a single person until I started the road walk at Shepherd Lake. The shooting range was quiet and for many hours I felt rather alone, which suits me.

I was also really intrigued by the unexpected meeting of the Millie White House. On the map it is simply marked “Ruins” but it has a name and person it belonged to and a history that I hope the park intends to tell at some point. Structurally this building is extremely unsound. You can see the floor has crumbled apart, so please, please do not explore inside the home. I wouldn’t want you to need rescuing! But you can walk around a portion of it safely, and admire it.

Apparently this road was the original entrance to the Botanical Garden, and this house, the Glasmere Gate House (aka Millie White House), served as visitors first peek into the lavish gardens and estate of Skylands Manor. And there was a gate here… one that in 2020, the NJBG Association was working to preserve and reinstall the gate on property. They were, as I read, a target for vandalism.

What happened past that 2020 story, I do not know. Much of the information I have comes from a Facebook group dedicated to preserving the history of Skyline Drive. If you have further information that you would like me to share here on the Millie White House or the Glasmere Gate, please reach out to me. I’m happy to share relevant information.

The trail is an old woods road and it is wide and well graded. The actual 5 Ponds Connector does end, though, prior to meeting the Millie White House so be prepared to continue along the road to find it. From there I diverted from the road to the Ringwood-Ramapo trail in order to best access Race trail.

Race trail is FUN. It almost made me want to get out there and go mountain biking. It’s winding and twisting with a variety of terrain. It’s as much fun for a hiker but I was very glad that I was the sole person on this trail. I wouldn’t want to be hiking this on a beautiful weekend in the summer when it is most likely brimming with mountain bikers. I appreciate this trail for who it is made for, and that isn’t really me. It’s built for speed and it’s built for fun. But I needed to check it off my list, so it’s done. Now I leave it to the professionals!