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Kid FriendlyNew JerseyPequannock Watershed

Copperas Mountain – Pequannock Watershed

by Juan Melli March 12, 2022
by Juan Melli March 12, 2022 0 comment

Overview

A relatively easy hike to the summit of Copperas Mountain, with great views overlooking the Charlotteburg Reservoir and Jersey Highlands.

Copperas? The mountain is named for “copperas” an older name for ferrous sulfate. The Copperas Mine is located on the eastern base of the mountain.

Length: 2.0 miles

Elevation gain: +386 feet

Location: Pequannock Watershed, Rockaway Township, Morris County, NJ

Copperas Mine adit

Copperas Mine History

Copperas Mine is located on the east base of Copperas Mountain, near the head of Timber Brook, on the west side of the road between Newfoundland and Split Rock Pond. (photos)

Located within what was once one of the most important iron mining districts, the Copperas Mine was worked for its namesake, copperas, or ferrous sulfate. During the Revolutionary War, the notable iron master Job Allen manufactured copperas on the site. Later during the War of 1812, the mine was under the direction of Dr. Charles Graham for the purpose of producing copperas and red paint for the war. After the war ended, the mine was therefore abandoned.

In February of 1880, Cooper and Hewitt acquired the mineral rights as well as those of nearby mines in the vicinity for a sum of $50,000. With a spur of the Charlotteburg and Green Lake Railroad now leading directly to the Copperas Mine, Cooper and Hewitt began shipping its product by rail.

By March of 1880, 40 carloads per day were being shipped via railroad from the Copperas, Charlotteburg, and Davenport mines collectively. However, the shipments soon decreased and the mine was permanently abandoned.

Although magnetite was present at the mine, it was mixed with pyrite and not known to have been worked. Perhaps it was either not feasible or uneconomical to roast the iron ore of its sulfur content. The mine consisted of short adits driven into the hillside, shafts, as well as open cut workings. The mine has been reclaimed to a small extent in recent years, but it is otherwise relatively preserved. In particular, one feature consisting of an adit leading to a stope open to the surface has been entirely backfilled.

Iron Miners

Copperas Mountain Parking

Park in the shoulder lot on the west side of Green Pond Road (CR 513). Google maps link. If you need an address for your GPS, it’s a little bit south of 1191 Green Pond Road.

Parking area on the left

Copperas Mountain Maps

  • Morris County Highlands Trails Map – NY-NJ Trail Conference (print)
  • Jersey Highlands Trails Map – NY-NJ Trail Conference (Avenza)

Copperas Mountain Trail description

From the parking lot, cross the street and head south a short distance to find the white-blazed Four Birds Trail. Enter the woods and immediately you’ll reach a kiosk on your left.

The trail begins to climb gently, crossing some small creeks. The trail gradually becomes steeper as it continues to climb the west side of the mountain. About half way up, you’ll pass an unmarked woods road on the left. Unfortunately, there is a lot of ATV use in the area which has significantly damaged the trail in areas and also created unofficial trails which can create confusion. Follow the blazes carefully.

After almost a mile, the trail reaches the ridge of the mountain.

Make a right when you reach the ridge and head down the trail a very short distance to your first viewpoint on the left, especially when the leaves are down. Ahead of you is the Charlotteburg Reservoir and the Jersey Highlands.

Copperas Mountain

Return to the trail and continue south just a few hundred feet.

You’ll soon see an opening on your left – an area heavily impacted from ATVs which are driven up to this viewpoint.

You’ve reached the second – and better – viewpoint.

Copperas Mountain
Copperas Mountain
Copperas Mountain
Copperas Mountain

When you’re done enjoying the view, turn around and head back towards the trail. Continue straight ahead now onto a woods road – the one used by the ATVs – to make your way back. In a tenth of a mile, the trail rejoins the white-blazed Four Birds Trail. Continue down the rest of the way to Green Pond Road, paying careful attention to follow the blazes.

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Juan Melli

Juan lives in Hoboken, New Jersey with his wife and two boys. He likes to explore the great Garden State and other equally nice states.

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About Me

About Me

Juan

I love the outdoors. Over the years, friends would ask me for tips on where to hike, so I started this website as a way to help others discover nature.

Through the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, I'm a volunteer maintainer of a section of the Appalachian Trail (Garvey Springs to Kaiser Road) - which includes the beautiful Raccoon Ridge - in the Delaware Water Gap. I'm also a Trustee and Vice President of the Board of Team Wilderness, a non-profit with a mission of growing teamwork, leadership, and character within our urban youth through wilderness excursions.

Questions? Angry Rants? Jell-O recipes? I can be reached by using this form.

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Take a Hike!
  • Best Hikes in NJ
  • Find a Hike
    • Hike Map
    • Most Popular Hikes
    • Best Kid-Friendly NJ Hikes
    • NJ Hikes
    • NY Hikes
    • John Muir Trail
      • Part 1: Reds Meadow to Yosemite Valley
      • Part 2: Duck Pass to Bishop Pass
      • Part 3: Bishop Pass to Mt. Whitney
    • Appalachian Trail
    • Other
      • Barataria Preserve
      • Coconino National Forest
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
      • Inyo National Forest
      • John Muir Trail
      • Shenandoah National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Yosemite National Park
  • Tips & Essentials
    • Hiking for Beginners
    • Packing a First Aid Kit
    • Best NJ & NY Hiking Books & Resources
    • Best Hiking Apps
    • Hiking Gear
    • AllTrails vs GaiaGPA
    • Winter Hiking Tips
    • Pequannock (Newark) Watershed Permits
    • Trail Maintenance Gear
    • Leave No Trace
  • Contact