Backpacking in NJ, Not what You’d Expect - Tammany-Sunfish Loop

For more details on this hike, check out
mapswithnoroad...
On this hike:
The best view in all of New Jersey.
A picturesque mountain glacial pond.
A well maintained, easy to access backpacker campsite.
I feel like New Jersey gets a bad rap. Growing up in NY, all I knew of the state was what I saw coming over the George Washington Bridge, or the industrialized areas around Newark Airport.
But if you venture outside the Rt 1 corridor, you’ll find this densely populated state has much more of mother nature’s beauty to offer than you’d might expect.
Of all of New Jersey’s beauty though, for this cool early October weekend, the Delaware Water Gap area of the Kittatinny Ridge was my target for a quick overnight hike.
Note: All aerial footage was film after launching from private property. Always check local regulations before flying.
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[@Rogue_Ranger]

Really well made video man, I love this.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@HewesNews]

Great video, masterful camera work. I’ll be doing these trails as day hikes in October.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! Enjoy the hike!

[@scpewok6119]

That is a very special place. As a New Jerseyan and living in the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey, I annually hike Mount Tammany (Red & Blue Dot trails) as a warm-up for the Seek The Peak event on Mount Washington, NH in July! Been going up to the Gap for 40+ years and the lake still looks the same, and you can pick up the AT on the other side. You compiled a great video and those were great drone shots of the gap and ridges. Will check out the rest of your videos soon.

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Where can one camp overnight on this loop ?

[@scpewok6119]

@@TimTheMusicManHey Tim, been many years since camping primitive around DWG. Prefer Blue or Red trails to the top for daily trip. However, do recall from Dunnfield parking area, take Blue Trail up and then AT branches off to the left. Campsite is up just east of Sunfish Pond, after Douglas Trail intersection. Hope this helps. Scott

[@TimTheMusicMan]

@@scpewok6119 thank you so much. Going to try. I live 45 minutes away. Want to go hiking in Maine and NH as well. 👍🙏🏼👍👍👍

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@positronikiss]

pure awesome!! loved THE STAKESTIX CUTLERY, KEEP ON XPLORING MY MAN! Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Sometimes you have to improvise!

[@qingylu]

Nice video, I also hiked the Tammany-Dunnfield loop 3 weeks ago, it was a strenuous and tough climb, but the spectacular view along the way is totally worth the trip.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! I agree, totally worth it. It's the best day hike in NJ in my opinion.

[@gabriellemarella9127]

Great video! Loved all the visuals and sounds 😊 seems like a really great overnight trip. Love how you didn’t feel the need to narrate and let the video speak for itself and your resourcefulness with your tent stakes was great 😂 mt tammany is a really fun and challenging hike.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! It really is a great little hike and hidden gem of New Jersey.

[@claypannasch2761]

Great video. You put a ton of time into the finished product and it shows! Any other NJ tent-hikes you know of / have done? Wanting to take my hot tent up a mountain this winter.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! I appreciate it. There are lots of great hikes along the Appalachian Trail/Kittatinny Ridge in NJ. Depending on how long of a hike you want to do, I would look into different access points along the AT. My top favorite views would be this one at Mt Tammany, Racoon Ridge not far from this one, Sunrise Mountain Pavilion, High Point, and Stairway to Heaven. Happy adventuring!

[@flve4flghtln]

Great video, id love to know exactly where that perfect campsite was located!

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! There is a map and more detail over at mapswithnoroads.com/home/tammanysunfishloop I set up camp at the designated backpacker site on the Appalachian Trail as it passes through this area. You can see it on the map as the green tent icon above the 'Worthington State Forest' label. Happy adventuring!

[@yadirasantiago8405]

I'm going on Tuesday with my husband. Did you see any black bear? I'm scared!!!! Btw...beautiful video 👍

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Thank you! I didn't see any on this trip, but they are relatively common up there. As long as you keep your distance and make some noise, they are pretty skittish and will leave you alone.

[@yadirasantiago8405]

@@MapsWithNoRoads Thanks!!! It was beautiful!! and I didn't see any bears 😅🤗

[@Ginasgusa]

I have done Mount Tammany quite a number of times. Just did it today in the snow and saw your comments on AllTrails. Thank you for the video. Going to hike sunfish pond soon. So to get to sunfish pond, follow the turquoise trail once I get to the point where it split between blue and fire road trail?

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Yup, once the fireroad splits from the blue dot trail on top of Tammany, follow the fireroad for about 3 miles, then the turquoise will take you right to the pond. Good luck and happy adventuring!

[@Ginasgusa]

@@MapsWithNoRoads thank you!

[@Jackiechan007]

I’m glad I found your channel; where is this located? I googled Tammany mountain and different options come up in different neighboring states! Thx

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

This is in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, in North West NJ along the Delaware River. In my opinion one of the most beautiful spots in NJ.

[@douglasdingwall1596]

You can see why this part of NJ wasn't turned into farmland.....for all those who like to make fun of NJ as you can see it is a truly beautiful state.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Agreed! It's unfortunate that our first and usually only impression for most people are the NY and Philly surrounding areas. This state has so much beauty to see!

[@douglasdingwall1596]

@@MapsWithNoRoads I own a home on Upper Greenwood Lake and right now I'm sitting on my couch watching the leaves turn on Bearfort Ridge, Abram Hewitt State forest, in a couple weeks my view will rival any Autumn post card from New England.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

@@douglasdingwall1596 Sounds beautiful!

[@annad5221]

How did you figure out the trail you’d take for your backpacking trip? I was looking at starting at Mt. T red dot trail, however it seems like there’s a better place to start to backpack to Sunfish Pond and out.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

There are definitely more direct routes to Sunfish Pond, but I wanted to start with a little side trip to Mt Tammany because in my opinion it's the best view of an hike in NJ

[@seanlally17]

Hey, planning on doing an overnighter here once its a bit warmer in the spring, what was the overnight parking situation like? No trouble leaving your car? Did this hike around when you filmed this video last year

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

I would recommend parking at the Kittatinny visitor center as opposed to be the Tammany Red Dot Trail parking lot. It is a bit more secure for overnights. I have done both many times, but I have heard about very rare occasional stories of cars being broken into at the trail head since that lot is less monitored. Good luck, and enjoy the hike!

[@user-fq5jd3xr3k]

Do you need any kind of permits for camping at that site?

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

Nope, no permit needed. But camping is only allowed in that particular area. It is first come first served, and can get crowded on the weekends so I recommend getting there early to get the best spot.

[@TimTheMusicMan]

Where can one camp overnight on this loop ?

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

There is a backpacker sight just a half mile south-west of Sunfish Pond. No permit needed, but first come first served.

[@jameshogan12]

Found you off of all trails and found this video. Gonna do it Saturday with a friend. Scale from 1-10 how hard is it? 10 being hardest.

[@MapsWithNoRoads]

I'd say it's easy compared to mountains in the Adirondacks or Rockies, but It's more than a just a nature walk. All the elevation gain is in the first mile and a half, and it can get a bit steep, but no rock scrambles or anything. I'm pretty out of shape, so that first mile had me breathing hard at some parts, but once you get past there, the rest of the hike is a breeze. For more details on the hike, check out this write up I did: mapswithnoroads.com/home/tammanysunfishloop Good luck and enjoy!

[@jameshogan12]

@@MapsWithNoRoads I appreciate it man, looking forward to more of your videos. You do an excellent job with your camera.

[@Ginasgusa]

If you are hiking alone and just take your time, no rush, it is not that hard. I did not huff or puff on the climb up, just the pace that I am comfortable