This aggressive hike involves climbing the mountain, hiking through Millbrook Village, through Watergate, to the glen, and then returning to camp via Copperhead Spring. Time is the major constraint to this hike, as Scouts will need to balance the need to stay on schedule with their desire to explore just a little more, or stay a little longer at each location.

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 road or ATV trail at 0.9 miles. The red trail follows the ATV 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.

Once you are ready to leave Millbrook Village, return to the old Columbia-Walpack Turnpike. This old road crosses Millbrook-Blairstown Road at the white church through rustic gates. This old road leaves the village, enters the forest, and leads to the ponds at Watergate Recreation Area (3.1 miles). There will be two junctions in the road between there and the glen (the first at 3.4 miles, and the second at 3.9 miles). Bear to the left at each. At the second, the road will start ascending. Turn onto the yellow trail to your right (4.0 miles).

This trail passes to the edge of an old farm field, under a hemlock forest, then leads to the waterfall known as Upper Van Campen’s Glen at 4.2 miles. This is a perfect place for a picnic. The waterfall itself flushes a tremendous amount of water through a narrow opening in the rock, falling into a small, deep pool, and flowing over a smooth rock into a large pool of water before continuing on. At all times, care must be taken as rocks in this area are almost continuously wet and slippery from the spray of the waterfall. Use feet (sometimes over boardwalks) to Lower Van Campen’s Glen, another picturesque waterfall. Unless otherwise posted, swimmers should adhere to the 8-point safe swim defense.

Once ready to leave the glen, follow the yellow trail back to the old road. Turn right onto the old road (4.4 miles) and begin your ascent. The old road will end at a gate at  Millbrook-Blairstown Road (5.5 miles). Turn right onto this paved road. Continue your ascent. Proceed up the hill until the Appalachian Trail turns right and enters the woods on a gravel road at a gate (5.8 miles). This gravel road and the Appalachian Trail both lead to the fire tower, however, the Appalachian Trail takes a more direct route. Follow the white trail markers to the fire tower at 6.8 miles. The fire tower is staffed only during fire season (autumn and early spring) or during other times when risk of fire is high. At all other times the cab at the top of the tower is locked. Views can be had at the base of the tower, with slightly better views from the steps leading to the top of the tower. The clearing at the base of the tower is a great place for a break or a picnic. The views to the east showcase the farms and forests of Warren County, while views to the west show off the great forests of Pennsylvania.

Return to Millbrook-Blairstown Road on the Applalachian Trail (the way you came, reaching the road at 7.8 miles). Turn left onto Millbrook-Blairstown Road. The Appalachian Trail (white) will enter the woods to the left near the top of the mountain at a small parking area. Follow the Appalachian Trail to the beaver dam pond at Copperhead Spring. After crossing the wooden bridge, go straight at the trail junction onto the blue-and-white trail (8.2 miles). The blue-and-white trail gently descends the mountain, at times between enormous boulders. After passing a huge flat rock (another great place for a rest or picnic at 8.5 miles), the trail levels out, and follows the foot of the mountain back to the junction with the blue trail (8.7). Turn right onto the blue trail and continue your descent. You may notice trees ringed with orange paint. This is the camp boundary. Welcome home. Follow the blue trail to Sand Pond Lodge (9.1 miles).