Mount Paradise

Trip report and pictures: https://gonehikin.blogspot.com/2022/05/delaware-water-gap-nra-nj-crater-lake.html

A beautiful day for a walk in the woods. Several inches of Sunday's snowfall remains but with no wind and temperature just above freezing, hiking conditions were ideal. Today's only challenge was finding a parking lot. Struble Road was closed, Brook Road was closed, and Haneys Mill Road was closed - looks like it's been closed for years. After driving around for more than an hour, we decided to park at Haneys Mill Road and walk in from there. It added an additional 1.5 miles each way, but it was easy walking. Followed Mountain Road (closed) to Buttermilk Falls and then took the Blue Trail uphill to the AT. Then followed unmarked woods roads to the summit. Since we got a late start and it was 3.5 miles back to the cars, we skipped the add-ons to Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond. We'd both done them on previous walks anyway.

Parked at the Blue Mountain Lakes parking lot as the Crater Lake lot was closed. Connected with the AT near Hemlock Pond and took it up near the summit. Followed a herd path to the summit communications tower.

My FINAL PEAK, Mount Paradise, on Easter Saturday. Started in 2011. Picture perfect day, blue skies. Did a 16 mile hike with my friend completing a section of the AT. Started from Blue Mtn Lakes Rd through to Rt 206. Took a detour just off trail to Mount Paradise and the communications tower. Then took another detour out and back to Buttermilk Falls which were full of water from all the snow melt. Saw a porcupine napping in a tree, spring peepers in a pond creating their own love shack.
Thanks to Eric for creating this NJ peaks challenge.