Buckabear Pond Loop
Directions to trailhead
Take N.J. Route 23 to the Clinton Road exit (just north of Newfoundland). At the end of the ramp, bear left onto Larue Road, then turn right onto Clinton Road and follow it for 4.0 miles to parking area P3 (a small turnout for several cars on the left side of the road, just beyond the bridge over Mossman’s Brook).
Hike Description
PERMITS: Hiking in the Pequannock Watershed is by permit only. An annual permit ($19.00; senior citizens $13.00) must be obtained from the office of the City of Newark, 223 Echo Lake Road, West Milford; (973) 697-1724. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. It is closed on weekends.
DESCRIPTION: From the parking area, head south on the red-blazed Buckabear Pond Trail, which follows a woods road parallel to an arm of the Clinton Reservoir, which is visible on the left through the trees. At one point, a side trail leads down to the water.
In 0.2 mile, follow the Buckabear Pond Trail as it turns right, away from the reservoir, and soon begins to climb, first gradually, then more steeply. At the crest of the rise, you’ll reach a fork. Bear left to continue on the white-blazed Clinton West Trail, which heads south along a relatively level footpath. After passing a huge glacial erratic on the right, the trail begins a gradual climb. At the summit, a rock ledge to the left of the trail affords a view over the Clinton Reservoir.
The trail now begins a steady descent. As it approaches the tip of the peninsula jutting into the reservoir, it bends to the right and levels off on a shelf about 30 feet above the level of the reservoir. The trail heads north along the western arm of the reservoir, with the reservoir visible through the trees on the left.
After climbing a little, the trail passes through dense mountain laurel thickets and descends to the level of the reservoir. Soon, it reaches a T-intersection. Turn left and follow an unmarked trail for about 25 feet to its terminus at a panoramic viewpoint over the southern end of Buckabear Pond. After taking in the view, return to the intersection and turn left onto the red-blazed Buckabear Pond Trail. The trail crosses a rocky area at the southeast corner of the pond, turns sharply right at a huge tree felled by beavers (there is another view over the pond here), and begins a steady climb. At the top, it turns right onto a woods road for 100 feet to reach a junction with the white-blazed Clinton West Trail. Continue straight ahead on the red-blazed Bearfort Waters Trail, retracing your steps back to Parking Area P3, where the hike began.