Mount Tammany, Sunfish Pond, Dunnfield Creek Loop in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ

Hike Mount Tammany, Sunfish Pond, Dunnfield Creek Loop Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ

Class 2 10.8 miles 2300 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Jun 9, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Tammany, Sunfish Pond, Dunnfield Creek Loop GPX Track

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Worthington State Forest is a gorgeous swath of nature along the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap. This hike visits some of the more famous, featured spots in the park when starting out from the Dunnfield Creek / Mount Tammany Trailhead, including the great viewpoint from Mount Tammany, delightful Dunnfield Creek Falls and swimming hole, and Sunfish Pond. Most hikers seem to like doing Mount Tammany as a separate hike from Sunfish Pond, but since that hike's a bit short for my taste, I recommend grouping them together as one great hike to see the best stuff in the area.

My route started up to Mount Tammany, going counter-clockwise by following the Red Blaze Trail. The hike is forested for its majority with a couple of overlooks along the way. A short section of light Class 2 along the trail makes it slightly more intersting, and the trail is generally pretty steep. The viewpoint of Mount Tammany down toward the Delaware River and Mount Minsi on the Pennsylvania side is great. This is a very popular hike, but the views make it obvious why.

I continued east along the Blue Blaze Trail, veering left to start descending down to Dunnfield Creek. This section of trail is wider and a lot less steep than the approach to Mount Tammany. Aside from just being pretty forest, it's not particularly notable. The Blue Blaze Trail intersects with the Dunnfield Creek Trail. Now is when I would add on the Sunfish Pond Loop. Rather than ascend via the Dunnfield Creek Trail to get to Sunfish Pond, I decided to first check out the falls and then ascend using the Appalachian Trail, meaning I'd be coming back via the Dunnfield Creek Trail. I headed west for a short time, passed Dunnfield Creek Falls, and starting along the Appalachian Trail from its junction with the Dunnfield Creek Trail. While pretty, the A.T. during this stretch mostly uses an old roadbed and feels pretty long. I was more excited for Dunnfield Creek later.

I reached Sunfish Pond and then continued along the Dunnfield Creek Trail. This is a very pretty trail. It crosses the creek many times via bridges and rock hops as it wanders through a cozy forest setting. I made it back to Dunnfield Creek Falls. From here I continued to the Dunnfield Creek Trailhead and took a cutoff trail back to my car at the Mount Tammany Trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Tammany
1550 ft
40 rise

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Starting along the Red Blaze Trail from the Mount Tammany parking lot.
Starting along the Red Blaze Trail from the Mount Tammany parking lot.
The trail starts off pretty flat.
The trail starts off pretty flat.
And then progressively steepens and has some rocky terrain.
And then progressively steepens and has some rocky terrain.
Ascending, the Delaware River is on the right.
Ascending, the Delaware River is on the right.
An overlook toward the Delaware River a short way up the trail.
An overlook toward the Delaware River a short way up the trail.
Continuing up the Red Blaze Trail to Mount Tammany.
Continuing up the Red Blaze Trail to Mount Tammany.
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Image 7 from gallery
The debatable scramble, which is really just a rocky trail. Maybe Class 2.
The debatable scramble, which is really just a rocky trail. Maybe Class 2.
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Almost to Mount Tammany.
Almost to Mount Tammany.
Mount Tammany summit area.
Mount Tammany summit area.
Mount Tammany viewpoint.
Mount Tammany viewpoint.
Mount Mindi and the Delaware River below.
Mount Mindi and the Delaware River below.
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Following the Blue Blaze Trail along the ridge after the lookout to complete the loop.
Following the Blue Blaze Trail along the ridge after the lookout to complete the loop.
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Image 17 from gallery
Descending the Blue Blaze Trail.
Descending the Blue Blaze Trail.
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At the bottom of the Blue Blaze Trail, I made a left and got to Dunnfield Creek Falls. This is a cascade above the falls.
At the bottom of the Blue Blaze Trail, I made a left and got to Dunnfield Creek Falls. This is a cascade above the falls.
A pretty swimming hole above the falls.
A pretty swimming hole above the falls.
Dunnfield Creek Falls from above. Better photos of Dunnfield Creek Falls at the end, which I took on my way back.
Dunnfield Creek Falls from above. Better photos of Dunnfield Creek Falls at the end, which I took on my way back.
While I could have headed to Sunfish Pond via Dunnfield Creek first, I wanted to ascend via the Appalachian Trail. This meant backtracking slightly, passing Dunnfield Creek Falls, and then getting to the junction with the A.T.
While I could have headed to Sunfish Pond via Dunnfield Creek first, I wanted to ascend via the Appalachian Trail. This meant backtracking slightly, passing Dunnfield Creek Falls, and then getting to the junction with the A.T.
Junction with the Appalachian Trail. I took this to Sunfish Pond.
Junction with the Appalachian Trail. I took this to Sunfish Pond.
The Appalachian Trail section of the loop is less interesting than later on during the Dunnfield Creek Trail.
The Appalachian Trail section of the loop is less interesting than later on during the Dunnfield Creek Trail.
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Along the Appalachian Trail, headed east.
Along the Appalachian Trail, headed east.
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Approaching a campground that overlooks the valley.
Approaching a campground that overlooks the valley.
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Approaching Sunfish Pond.
Approaching Sunfish Pond.
Sunfish Pond.
Sunfish Pond.
I returned via the Dunnfield Creek Trail.
I returned via the Dunnfield Creek Trail.
The trail follows the creek for its entirety, and it's really pretty.
The trail follows the creek for its entirety, and it's really pretty.
One of a few crossings of Dunnfield Creek.
One of a few crossings of Dunnfield Creek.
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Very pretty lighting along Dunnfield Creek.
Very pretty lighting along Dunnfield Creek.
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Another stream crossing.
Another stream crossing.
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Dunnfield Creek Falls.
Dunnfield Creek Falls.
The swimming hole above Dunnfield Creek Falls.
The swimming hole above Dunnfield Creek Falls.
Dunnfield Creek Falls from below.
Dunnfield Creek Falls from below.
I continued along the pretty trail back to the Dunnfield Creek Trailhead. Nice rock outcrops on the side of the trail.
I continued along the pretty trail back to the Dunnfield Creek Trailhead. Nice rock outcrops on the side of the trail.
Image 46 from gallery
Looking back at the bridge just before reaching the trailhead. From the Dunnfield Creek Trailhead I took a short cut-across to get back to my car at the Mount Tammany Trailhead.
Looking back at the bridge just before reaching the trailhead. From the Dunnfield Creek Trailhead I took a short cut-across to get back to my car at the Mount Tammany Trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!