🦅🍁 Meriden Trail Fall Colors & Hawk Migration Hike 🍃 ~3.5 miles, 350 elev
Details
🦅🍁 Meriden Trail Fall Colors & Hawk Migration Hike 🍂
The well-marked and well-maintained Meriden Trail has quickly become one of my favorite shorter hikes since I recently discovered it — and it’s not one to miss!
Join us for a guided 1.5-mile hike to the Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch, where we’ll take in beautiful fall colors over the Rockaway Valley and scan the skies for migrating raptors.
This is peak migration season — you might spot eagles performing aerial stunts on their two-week journey to Central South America!
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🥾 Hike Details
• Distance: 3 miles (round trip)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate (a few short, rugged sections)
• Highlights: Fall foliage, hawk migration views, peaceful woodland trail. We will take the Red, White
and Orange trails to the overlook. On the return, we will deviate to the blue and unmarked trails to mix thinks up
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📍 Meeting & Parking
• Where: Red Trailhead Parking Lot on Meriden Road, about 1 mile from the intersection of Meriden and Greenpond Road (lot on the left side).
• When: Please arrive before 11:00 AM.
• Look for a green chair marking the entrance to the parking lot.
If you’re unfamiliar with the roads in Rockaway Township, plan to arrive by 9:45 AM.
🚗 Carpool Option:
I’ll offer a carpool from my home in nearby Boonton, leaving promptly at 10:30 AM — or you can follow me to the parking lot.
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🧺 What to Bring
• Water, snacks, and lunch
• Binoculars (I’ll share mine), Treking poles (if you have them)
• Sturdy shoes and layered clothing (it can be windy at the hawkwatch)
🚫 No bathroom facilities available.
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🍽️ Post-Hike Options
We’ll grab a bite or drink after the hike — possible spots include:
• Hibernia Diner
• The Barn Kitchen
Carpe Diem
Carpe Visa
IHS
Friendly dogs on leash welcomed