"From the lot, we started off on the red triangle blazed Indian Rock trail which almost immediately had us crossing the Wanaque River over a narrow stone bridge. The red trail then runs southeast and crosses the Algonquin gas pipeline. After another 500 feet or so, a 90 degree turn to the left has you on the well blazed orange Wanaque Ridge Trail. After 1,000 feet or so, and having crossed the gas line again in the opposite direction, the trail takes a 90 degree turn to the left. After 100 feet or so, the trail makes a 90 degree right which leads up to many view points and the eventual high point. UNFORTUNATELY, I failed to make that right as I misread the trail marker. I kept going to my left, no more than 50 feet when I happened upon a wide and well-worn unmarked trail to my right. I later discovered that unmarked trail was the orange trail bypass which allows older or unseasoned hikers to avoid the ascent up the fairly steep and narrow portion of the orange trail. The bypass runs parallel to the ridge trail but is fifty plus feet below it, much wider, and far less steep. It does eventually leads up to the orange trail again, and that’s where we ended up. We then made a left turn ..." — michaelzandonella • Mar 2, 2025