Walk in the Park: Scenic Reservation Overlooks

The views on Crest Drive and the Lenape Trail in South Mountain Reservation are truly amazing, especially in the fall.

South Mountain Reservation has four main overlooks, and one unofficial overlook. One of the best known is Bramhall Terrace, which is about 500 feet above sea level. Located on Crest Drive between South Orange Avenue and the dog park, Bramhall Terrace is home to one of Essex County’s 9/11 memorials. (On Sept. 11, 2001, people crowded the overlook to watch the Twin Towers fall.) However, the view there is now blocked by trees.

Probably the best view in the Reservation is the Crater View. Located on Crest Drive between Washington Rock and the dog park, Crater View is also about 500 feet above sea level. From Crater View, as shown in the picture, you can see New York, Newark and Jersey City. You can also see the Bayonne Bridge, and with binoculars, you can see cars traveling over it, as well as the Verrazano Bridge. You can see the Empire State Building, the world’s tallest water tower in Union, Maplewood Town Hall, Maplewood Middle School, and the world’s largest Home Depot on Springfield Avenue in Vauxhall.

The historic Washington Rock provides another view. While the first overlook is completely blocked by trees, if you go downhill on the sidewalk to the American flag, there is a phenomenal view. You can see the shops in Millburn, Route 24, Route 78, Millburn Middle School and trains at Millburn Station. If you look up from the parking lot at Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse in Millburn, you can see the American flag at Washington Rock.

There's also an unofficial view, just southwest of Washington Rock. To get there, hike the Lenape Trail, located beside the best overlook at Washington Rock. Walk for about five minutes, until a small trail branches off to the left. (You’ll know where it is when you see a gate to your far left.) Take that trail for 30 seconds until you reach a gate. There will be a fantastic panoramic view of Millburn-Short Hills and Summit. The gate is there because of a 150-200 foot cliff that miners fell from in the late 1800s to early 1900s. (Miners were in the Reservation because it was thought that silver could be found there.)

The last great view in the Reservation is called The Crag. Located 560 feet above sea level, The Crag may be accessed from the Mayapple Hill area off Northfield Avenue. Hike the Lenape Trail, which starts at the parking lot, and continue straight for a half-mile to a mile to the Northfield Avenue crossing. (Remember: painted yellow dots on the trees indicate the Lenape Trail.) Hike another quarter-mile on the Lenape until The Crag is on your left. You'll be able to see the Orange Reservoir, Turtle Back Zoo, Richard J. Codey Arena, and other parts of West Orange.

The views are fantastic, although I recommend purchasing a SMR Trail Map. A list of purchasing locations is at www.somocon.org.

Jared Kofsky is an 11-year-old student in the SO-M school district, who is a local history buff and train historian.