Delaware Water Gap: Mt.Tammany via Red Dot Trail
The weekend weather was perfect for a hike! Trying to find a good spot to see the fall leaves splendor and spend some time outside, we decided to take the back roads to the Delaware Water Gap. Mount Tammany came up as one of the most popular hikes in NJ, as well the one with the best views.
Few facts: The Appalachian Trail weaves its way thru over 20 miles of the Delaware Water Gap. Mount Tammany (1,526 ft) is the southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountains (part of the Appalachian Mountain range). It’s located by Knowlton Township, New Jersey and is easily accessed right off interstate 80. Mt Tammany forms the east side of the Delaware Water Gap. Across the Gap is Mount Minsi, on the Pennsylvania side of the river. There are few trails to reach Mt.Tammany.
Red Dot trail to Mt. Tammany is said to be one of the most challenging trails in the entire Delaware Water Gap. Since I haven’t been to any other trails I can’t attest to that, but I can tell you it’s not a simple walk in the park!
-Distance: 2.5 mile, out and back trail.
-Time: approximately 2-2:30 hrs.
-Elevation gain: 1,122 ft.
-Terrain: part hiking-part climbing, very rocky, very steep in places.
-Difficulty: strenuous, moderate to hard.
Most people choose to go up the Red Dot trail and complete the loop down on the Blue Dot trail which is not as steep and easier to navigate.
Shorter hike option (still steep): 1.0 mile up the Red Dot trail to the first viewpoint and return.
Keep in mind, this hike is very popular, although there are several large parking areas, they do fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
The hike is thru the woods and is beautiful, but because of the terrain (imagine climbing big boulders in a dry river bed) your attention is almost entirely focused on the walk (as it should be for your own good!). There are two points with view to the river, Delaware Water Gap and Mount Minsi across in Pensilvania and the view is worth it! The leaves were still not at peak colors, so if the weather is nice over the next couple weeks, it should be spectacular. I remember seeing few comments that the sunset is beautiful from up there. Sounds like a bad idea! Knowing how long and hard the walk down is, I can not imagine doing it in the dark!
As you already know, the fall is truly beautiful and picturesque in the Northeast! If you have a chance, go see for yourself, and if you don’t, enjoy this little snippet and postcard from this amazing season!
#delawarewatergap, #mttammany, #reddottrail, #onedaylist, #theonedaylist, #fallsplendor, #northeastfall, #hikenj,