Delaware Water Gap - Mt Tammany and Sunfish Pond

Original Source - https://www.njhiking.com/nj-challenging-hikes-mt-tammany-sunfish-pond/

Hike Directions: OVERVIEW: RED DOT to Mt. Tammany summit – BLUE DOT – MT. Tammany Fire Rd. – Turquoise/Sunfish Pond Fire Rd to Sunfish Pond – backtrack on Turquoise to Sunfish Pond Fire Rd – Dunnfield Creek (GREEN) from the southern end of Sunfish Pond – Appalachian Trail (WHITE)
0.0 – Near the entrance of the parking lot, on the right side, look for the big brown RED DOT sign. The trail is marked with a red dot painted on a white background. Start following RED DOT. GPS: RedDotTrail

0.5 – Nice view with the summit (left), Rt. 80 and the Delaware River going through “The Gap” in the center, and Mt Minsi on the right. GPS: GapView

There is a very rocky section shortly after this viewpoint. Continue to follow the RED DOT trail up – there is only one trail in this area and is mostly easy to follow. Pay attention on the rocky sections for markers to guide you through – they may be painted on the rocks as well.

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Sunfish Pond
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1.3 – Broad views of the Gap area, across Rt. 80 to Mt Minsi in Pennsylvania. GPS: MtTammanyViewpoint Scramble down the rocks for a unique break spot or stay at the top. This is also a good area to watch hawks.

This is the end of the RED DOT trail. Look for the BLUE DOT markers follow them beyond the viewpoint. GPS: RedDot-BlueDot Now follow BLUE DOT along a woods road.

1.7 – Start following the unmarked Mt. Tammany Fire Road, straight. [BLUE DOT leaves to the left]. GPS: BlueDot/Fire Road

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3.3 – Pass a HELIPORT sign on the left. GPS: HELIPORT

4.7 – Turn LEFT to start following TURQUOISE. [Mt. Tammany Fire Road, continues straight] The trailhead may be hard to spot but there should be a little rock pile. GPS: Fire/Turquoise

The Turquoise Trail is narrow with vegetation and heads downhill to cross Dunnfield Creek, before going back uphill.

5.4 – Turquoise meets up with the Sunfish Fire Road. Turn LEFT and now follow the unmarked fire road. GPS: Turq/Fire Road Sunfish Fire Road is briefly co-joined with Turquoise, but the markings are sparse.

5.7 – Turn RIGHT to now follow Turquoise as it leaves the Fire Road and heads toward Sunfish Pond. GPS: TurquoiseTrail

5.9 – Arrive at Sunfish Pond. There are rock slabs to sit on with a view of the Pond. Back track on Turquoise to the Fire Road when ready to leave.

[Option: Continue around the pond on Turquoise, turning LEFT onto the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) which follows the western shore of the Pond. At the southern end of the Pond, meet up with these directions at 6.7 below]

6.2 – Back at the Sunfish Fire Road, turn RIGHT onto the fire road.

6.7 – Southern end of Sunfish Pond. There is a bench tucked in by the water and another nice view from this end of the Pond. GPS: Sunfish Pond

With your back to the pond, look LEFT to start following Dunnfield Creek (GREEN).

[Option: Follow the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) back instead]

Dunnfield Creek (GREEN) heads uphill and then down a steep rocky section. After a low, seasonally wet section, the creek will eventually come into view, and the trail follows it the rest of the way back.

Keep an eye out for the GREEN markers which can be sometimes hard to spot. They will also indicate to cross Dunnfield Creek several times on rocks.

8.9 – Pass the Holly Springs Trail on the right. GPS: HollySprings

10.0 – Pass the BLUE DOT trail on the LEFT. GPS: Dunnfield/BlueDot

There are some nice water cascades and a bridge to cross.

10.3 – The Appalachian Trail comes in from the right (there is a large signpost). The Dunnfield Creek trail ends here. Follow the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) as it follows the creek back to the lot.