Dismal Harmony Natural Area

April 13, 2025 – Mendham Township, New Jersey

Issue: Average

Size: Roughly 3.4 miles

Max elevation: 829 ft. – complete elevation acquire roughly 500 ft.

Route kind: Lollipop Loop

Map: No correct or present map out there

Trailhead parking: East Principal St., Mendham Township, NJ 07945

No charges for parking or mountaineering.

Overview:

Named for the 2 streams that run via it, Dismal Concord Pure Space is characterised by a mix of thick forests, lush wetlands, and steep slopes.

Along with the pure panorama, there are quite a few factors of pursuits to see and discover.

This Mendham Township Open Area provides 146 acres of woodlands with a number of mountaineering trails of varied issue ranges. This pure space gives a tranquil setting for people to attach with nature and luxuriate in the great thing about the encircling panorama.

Historical past:

Dismal Concord Pure Space was acquired in 1967 via the contributions of residents, and with the assistance of the New Jersey Conservation Basis. It was the primary pure space to be established in Mendham Township. The unique 77 acres have been expanded to the current 146 acres. The park is called for the 2 streams that move via the property: Dismal Brook and Concord Brook. The origin of the identify “Dismal” is unknown. Concord Brook was in all probability named for the village of Concord, which was the supply of the stream. The village was settled about 1750 within the space now lined by Clyde Potts Reservoir and was destroyed when the reservoir was stuffed within the early 1930’s. The 2 brooks powered a number of 18th and nineteenth century mills within the downtown Brookside space, previously often called Water Avenue. Stays of stone partitions from the farming period are evident all through the property, in addition to millponds and millraces. Dismal concord Pure Space is bordered to the east by 198 acres of woods and streams donated to the Morris County Park Fee by the Badenhausen household. This lovely pure space now includes 344 acres.

Legend Rock ~

Henry Clark, a Scotsman who got here to the realm in 1727, was one of many earliest settlers of the property. In 1750, he constructed a dam and sawmill on the head of Dismal Brook. Simply west of Dismal Brook, on a steep hill, they noticed the native Lenni Lenape down within the Dismal Valley looking and gathering within the forest. Afraid that the Lenape had been hostile natives and fearing for his or her lives, the small social gathering shortly took refuge within the cave-like crags of the rock till the hazard had handed. Because the others slept inside, Henry Clark stored watch all evening lengthy along with his gun by his aspect.

Parking and Restrooms:

There aren’t any restrooms on web site so put together accordingly.

The gravel car parking zone on East Principal Avenue can accomodate about 8-10 automobiles. There have been 4 automobiles after we arrived shortly after 9am and virtually full after we returned simply earlier than midday.

There are 4 entry factors (Patriots’ Path connects to all of them):East Principal Avenue (the place we began);Tingle Street at intersection with Washington Valley Street;on the finish of Stoney Hill Street; andat the bend on Woodland Terrace.

Trails Overview:

The path maps out there are fragmented with no path names/blaze colours making it virtually unimaginable to find out what connects to what. The entire path maps that I’ve seen, that do present blaze colours, don’t correspond to the precise colours of the blazes on the paths. Trails are effectively marked, however there a quite a few intersections, particularly these marked in yellow, which may make navigating the paths a bit complicated.

I used the Gaia GPS app with the Gaia Topo (ft) map layer to raised navigate the paths. It exhibits most if not all the trails on the property and was fairly useful in finding Legend Rock. Those that usually are not assured of their route-finding skill might wish to select one other hike. 

Close to the start of the hike, I took a mistaken flip, and walked almost a half mile down the mistaken finish of the Pink Path, all uphill. My mountaineering accomplice was not thrilled. From that time on, I regularly consulted the Gaia GPS app, particularly on the multitude of intersections alongside the best way.

The Yellow Path may be complicated to say the least. It looks like each flip or junction alongside its route are marked by three yellow blazes, which signifies the beginning or finish of the path. In just a few spots, the Yellow Path goes in numerous instructions. Utilizing the Gaia GPS app saved me from strolling in circles.

Sure girls and boys, even an skilled navigator corresponding to myself can take a mistaken flip every now and then. Or as I wish to say “taking the scenic route.”

The Patriots’ Path, which extends some 20 miles throughout Morris County, was developed by the Morris County Park Fee and follows a usually east-west route from its entrance into Mendham Township in Lewis Morris Park close to Dawn Lake. A lot of the route via the Mendhams follows the right-of-way of the Rockaway Valley Railroad, deserted in 1913, and for essentially the most half is hard-packed gravel with mild slopes. Maps can be found from the Morris County Park Fee.

Hike Overview:

After seeing some posts on Social Media about this place, I made a decision to pay it a go to. I used to be hesitant up to now as a result of there may be not a lot info out there on-line and the path maps usually are not a lot assist. I noticed that somebody posted the observe of their hike with the purpose of pursuits marked and labeled. I knew that by understanding the overall neighborhood of the POI’s, I may in all probability discover them. 

The primary bump under is the mistaken flip. The mileage and elevation acquire from the mistaken flip has been deducted from this hike report.

The Hike:

From the parking space, comply with the white-blazed Patriots’ Path because it heads north on a footpath parallel to the cascading Dismal Brook. After crossing two picket footbridges over tributary streams, the path strikes away from the brook, climbing step by step on a woods highway.

In about half a mile, you’ll come to a T-intersection with a gravel highway. Flip left to proceed on the Patriots’ Path, which as soon as once more intently parallels the brook, now under on the left. 

This gravel highway is definitely an previous rail mattress. Rockaway Valley Railroad, informally often called the “Rock-A-Bye Child.” The Rockaway Valley Railroad (RVRR) ceased operation in 1914 and was deserted in 1917. A lot of the previous railbed is now the route of the Patriots’ Path.

A brief distance past, the path bears left and crosses a picket bridge over Dismal Brook. It instantly turns proper onto a woods highway and continues to parallel the brook, now on the fitting. Simply forward, the path bears left onto a footpath to keep away from a moist part of the highway, which it quickly rejoins.

A brief distance forward, the woods highway adopted by the Patriots’ Path bears left and heads uphill, persevering with to run parallel to the brook. In about 1,000 ft from the picket footbridge you simply crossed, look to your left, up on the hillside, for the ruins of an previous stone cabin.

A faint footpath results in these attention-grabbing stone ruins.

The stone cabin ruins, was a cabin restored by the Badenhausens. The cabin had warmth and sizzling water, a toilet, kitchen, and livingroom with fire. It was destroyed by a big tree that fell on it.

If you find yourself carried out exploring the cabin ruins, return to the Patriots’ Path and switch left. Quickly you’ll come to a junction marked by an enormous cairn. Right here, the Patriots’ Path bears left, however you need to proceed forward on a pink-blazed path, which begins right here. The path continues north, parallel to the brook, climbing step by step. A number of unmarked aspect trails on the fitting lead right down to lovely cascades within the brook.

A few mile from the beginning of the hike, flip left on a yellow-blazed path because it turns sharply left, away from the brook, and begins to climb moderately steeply. This flip is straightforward to overlook so keep alert.

After a brief, comparatively stage part, you’ll attain a T-intersection, the place the yellow blazes lead each methods. Flip proper, then bear left a brief distance forward, persevering with to comply with the yellow blazes which result in an enormous boulder often called Legend Rock. 

The story goes that, within the 1700’s, Scottish settlers hid from the Native Individuals by crawling into cracks on this rock formation. Though there’s a sheer face on the east aspect of the rock, it may be simply climbed from the west aspect.

The highest of Legend Rock.

After exploring this attention-grabbing function, proceed southeast on the Yellow Path because it climbs to the peak of land, about 829 ft above sea stage. This ridgeline is called Blueberry Ridge. There are views via the timber (throughout leaf-off season) of Clyde Potts Reservoir and the encircling space.

 

Quickly, the Yellow Path descends, steeply at instances, into the valley under. In about 0.3 mile from Legend Rock, the path involves a T-intersection. Flip left right here because the Patriots’ Path joins the Yellow Path from the fitting. Nearly straight throughout from this junction is a stone fire. It’s possible you’ll wish to cease right here and discover these ruins.

The stays of a 1937 Boy Scout cabin that was referred to as Camp Swastika. It was initially constructed of Chestnut timber from the realm. Within the 1960’s it was fully restored by native younger individuals utilizing the unique basis and fireside. A couple of of the logs had been used for an outhouse. 

This cabin was later destroyed by fireplace and changed with a log Adirondack shelter, as soon as once more utilizing a part of the unique basis and fireside.

The path now begins to move southwest. You may even see sporadic yellow and white blazes on this part.

In a few 1,000 ft from the final junction (the place the fireside is), The path reaches one other T-intersection, marked by a rock cairn and a bench. Flip left right here and proceed following yellow/white blazes. 

A brief distance later because the Yellow Path turns left, proceed straight forward previous the rock cairn to proceed following the white blazes of the Patriots’ Path, which descends steeply on switchbacks.

On the base of the descent, if you attain Dismal Brook, flip proper to stay on the Patriots’ Path. You at the moment are retracing your steps from earlier within the hike.

Comply with the white blazes with Dismal Brook in your left till you attain the footbridge. 

Flip left, crossing the footbridge over Dismal Brook then flip proper. Comply with the Patriots’ Path alongside the previous rail mattress with Dismal Brook now in your proper.

Bear proper on the subsequent junction, cross the 2 picket footbridges, and return to the car parking zone the place the hike started.

Evaluate:

It is a actually good hike that doesn’t appear to get plenty of foot site visitors. The woods had been quiet except for birds that serenaded us throughout all the hike. The paths are effectively marked, nevertheless it nonetheless will get a bit of complicated with out an up-to-date path map. There may be a lot to see on this wild and scenic protect.

Professionals:

Quiet space, effectively marked trails, ruins, Dismal Brook.

Cons:

No correct path map. 

Take a hike!