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HIGHLIGHT HIKER BLOG
May 19, 2021
Eagle Lake Loop & Great Oak Park
I spent most of this day driving vs. hiking, as I tried to hit the littlest parks on my map that still needed exploring.
First up was Eagle Lake Loop which is just a little bitty thing just over the state line where Sterling Mine Road meets Long Meadow Road. Not much to remark upon. It’s a trail for the locals. It’s maybe 3/4 of a mile in length?
Then the long drive to Oakland., NJ to Great Oak Park off Doty Road. There are several intermingled trails here to explore, but it also is a town park and while it is listed on the NY NJ Trail Conference map, I think technically the town of Oakland owns and maintains the property. It’s outstanding feature were the Great Oak itself, and the deer there so cute popping in and out of the foliage.
And that’s about all I have to say about these places. Really.
Eagle Lake Loop
It's a wide path and easily graded
Yellow blaze
The pond is the central feature, but it is difficult to see through the overgrowth.
If this loop is 1 mile in length I would be surprised. Parking is curbside.
Very quick little walk. Lots of unmarked trails leading this way and that to the homes that are nearby, I'm sure.
Every so often you can peak through the trees
Even toward busy Sterling Mine Road
The path changes a bit on the south end
But it's really all the same thing
This is one parking area
The lake was undergoing some kind of... work...
See the pipe? Run off? Drainage? Not sure.
The main parking area.
See? Pipe. Partially covered. But not really.
Headed back to the other parking pull off on Eagle Valley Road.
Great Oak Park
The parking lot is stealthily placed along Doty Road. It's a huge lot.
It was very hot when I visited. The sun was very, very warm.
I liked the signage and the garbage, recycling and dog waste bins!
Here's the map of the trails and park
Aw! They love the puppers at Oak Park!
Sweet little daisy fleabane
The park is a little wildly overgrown in some areas, but the deer love it!
I liked the signage
There she is! Isn't she lovely?
The residents are taking good care of the land here, trying to beautify the property.
The paths switch in type, but they are all wide and flat
It truly is a great Oak!
Well done, Oak Park Maintainers!
Lots of places to sit
Lots of paths to explore
And you can watch the Ramapo River lazily meander
This is the wide Ramapo River, but is another trail beside Little Pond Brook
Little Pond Brook