History-minded troops will enjoy a visit to Millbrook Village, a hamlet whose heyday was in the 1800’s. For a complete history and description of the village, find a pamphlet at the welcome station near the parking lot. All Scouts will enjoy the hike over the mountain, and the brooks and terrain encountered between the Appalachian Trail and the village. The trail ascends the mountain, then descends the other side at a gentler pace. The challenge of this trail is in climbing the mountain, then climbing it again on the return trip.

The yellow trail begins along the road to the range just below the Blackfoot campsite (0.0 miles). After passing by the campsite, the trail widens. Turn left when you reach the junction with the red trail at 0.2 miles. Follow the red trail uphill, first moderately. As you reach the foot of the mountain, you may see trees ringed with orange paint. You are now entering the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The trail then climbs steeply. Care will be needed on any loose gravel or rocks, but this section of trail is easily traversed by almost any Boy Scout. At the top of the mountain (0.5 miles), you will reach a junction with the Appalachian Trail (white). Continue straight onto the red trail, which will curve left and parallel the Appalachian Trail briefly before gently descending the mountain. (NOTE: This section of the red trail is largely marked with older trail markers, most of which have faded to silver. Care may be needed to locate the next trail marker from the current trail marker at various points along this section, but should not be difficult.)

The trail meets and turns left onto an old logging road at 0.9 miles. The red trail follows the old logging road briefly until turning right at 1.0 miles. At 1.2 miles, the red trail ends at a very large tulip poplar tree and joins several stonerows. The path continues between two parallel stonerows that generally follow the same contour in a generally northeast direction.

The path approaches a stream in a narrow gully at 1.3 miles. At this point, there is a small pile of rocks with the top rock spray-painted red. At the small pile of rocks, follow the stream downhill to another pile of rocks with the top rock spray-painted red. At this pile of rocks, cross the stream and continue downhill briefly before seeing another small pile of rocks with the top rock spray-painted red. At this third pile of rocks, turn right and travel for a short distance to old road at 1.4 miles and another small pile of rocks with the top rock spray-painted red. Near this point is an abandoned house that has since collapsed. This, and other structures occasionally seen are what remains from when the federal government condemned land in this area around 1970 or so. All structures between this point and Millbrook Village should be considered unsafe and should not be entered or ventured near.

Follow the old dirt road downhill to a stream crossing at a collapsed bridge at 1.6 miles. In case of high water, there is a safer crossing just upstream. Continue following the road downhill until it reaches Van Campen’s Brook at 1.9 miles. Here, the bridge has been removed. In case of high water, there is a safer crossing about 150 feet upstream. After crossing the brook, you reach a “T” intersection with a slightly larger dirt road. Follow this new road to the left. (This road was known as the Columbia-Walpack Turnpike, and leads from Donkey’s Corners to Millbrook.) This road follows Van Campen’s Brook into Millbrook Village.

Once in the village, you may find the parking area, restrooms (if open), and pamphlets describing the buildings to your right at the intersection of Old Mine Road and Millbrook-Blairstown Road (2.6 miles). The village is a good place for a break or a picnic. Remember that you are an ambassador for the camp and your community. Leave this place better than how you found it. After exploring the village, troops may return following the same route in reverse. (NOTE: If this route is not desirable, troops can also return via Millbrook-Blairstown Road to the Appalachian Trail to the blue-and-white trail to the blue trail.)