July 06, 2021| Recreation
By: Donna Macalle-Holly
This spring, LHF staff and volunteer trail maintainers blazed a new loop along the Lake Hopatcong Trail on Lify (Liffy) Island and assisted the Hopatcong Environmental Commission with blazing the Cowboy Creek Loop in Hopatcong, which aligns with sections of the Lake Hopatcong Trail.
The Lify Island Loop circumnavigates Lify Island in Jefferson and is part of the Lake Hopatcong Trail. It is marked with white Lake Hopatcong Trail Blazes.
This loop provides stunning views of Lake Hopatcong around Lify Island. The Lify Island preservation project was the first land protected through the Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund in 1994 and trails were created by Jefferson through a $15k grant from the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. Jefferson Township made trail improvements in 2019 when a footbridge was constructed, providing access to the island. Those trail improvements were funded through a Morris County Trails Construction Grant.
A little over 2 miles out and back, including loop.
The trail is moderately difficult with some hills and some rocks and roots once on the island.
Parking is available at Prospect Point Park, 30 Florida Avenue, Lake Hopatcong. To get to the Lify Island Loop, follow the Lake Hopatcong Trail and James Leech Boardwalk Trail from the entrance behind the basketball courts. Continue along the trail over the footbridge to Lify Island. The loop circumnavigates the island.
The Cowboy Creek Loop was established by the Hopatcong Environmental Commission and is accessible from (and aligns with) sections of the Lake Hopatcong Trail and the Highlands Trail. The trail is marked with yellow blazes that read Cowboy Creek Loop or CCL.
This section of the trail traverses through a preserved forested area of more than 300 acres in Hopatcong. The area was preserved in partnership with the New Jersey DEP's Green Acres Program and U.S. Forest Service. The site has a hilly terrain, with rock outcrops, boulders, and steep slopes covered with mature forest. A small stream known as Cowboy Creek, a tributary to Lubbers Run, is located along the northern portion of the loop.
Approximately 2 miles round trip (when accessed from the Durban Avenue School)
The trail is moderately difficult with hills, rocks, and roots.
The Cowboy Creek Loop can be accessed from several entrances to the Lake Hopatcong Trail.
The Durban Avenue School, 616 Durban Ave, Hopatcong - Parking is available in the school parking lot when school is not in session. After entering the parking lot, proceed to the right and park by woods. There is a sign at the trail entrance.
Leo Ave, Stanhope (Hopatcong) - Minimal off-road parking is available at the end of Leo Avenue. There is a sign at the trail entrance near the end of Leo Avenue, on the right side.
Veteran’s Field Memorial Park, 351 Flora Ave, Stanhope (Hopatcong) - Parking is available at the park. There is a sign at the trail entrance along the woods, behind the ballfield.
The Foundation is planning to host guided hikes in the area in the fall. If you are an avid hiker and would enjoy leading a group hike, send an email to info@lakehopatcongfoundation.org. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer maintainer for the Lake Hopatcong Trail can sign up HERE.
