Is the Cherry Ridge Road parking area still fair game?

[thisterrence]

I was up there for the first time in a long time about a month ago. There were new private property/don't trespass signs (more than what were up before), the road was fairly washed out, and there were no cars in the parking area. I left and went elsewhere. Anyone know if this lot is still a possibility?

 

[Kaleidopete]

I was up there for the first time in a long time about a month ago. There were new private property/don't trespass signs (more than what were up before), the road was fairly washed out, and there were no cars in the parking area. I left and went elsewhere. Anyone know if this lot is still a possibility?

yes it is

 

[chris12453]

When I rolled through last weekend, the lot was full.

 

[Skunkape]

We talking Hewitt end of CR?

 

[thisterrence]

When I rolled through last weekend, the lot was full.

Thought I'd ask as the day I went by it was literally empty. Seemed very unusual for that lot. Glad it is open!

 

[thisterrence]

We talking Hewitt end of CR?

Correct

 

[mtn]

Yes, in reality, the no trespassing signs should be posted perpendicular to the roadway. It has nothing to do with the road itself.

 

[TommyF]

The residents of that area just don't like people using that lot. I actually had a guy "warn" me about parking there, I politely acknowledged and went on my ride.

 

[jimf]

The residents of that area just don't like people using that lot. I actually had a guy "warn" me about parking there, I politely acknowledged and went on my ride.

I think its more the speed that people drive down the road to the lot vs not wanting bikers to use the lot. I mean they dont want us to use the lot but when I crawl along the road slowly I get less dirty looks and even a few people wave back at me.

 

[Kaleidopete]

When I ride my bike from home, everyone waves to me

 

[huffster]

I’ve parked there at least a hundred times and I drive real slow up the road and wave to anybody out. 95% of the time I get a wave back. Basically drive thru that neighborhood as you would want others to drive thru yours.

 

[trekfan]

yeah it's in heavy use actually (i have seen 4-6 cars there pretty much every time i go...mostly hikers ironically), but the road itself is in pretty rough shape. clearly the park isn't doing any maintenance on it and i don't think the town (west milford?) does any maintenance either, so it's left to the rain and erosion. it was filled in years ago (maybe 7-8 years now) but i don't think it's been touched since. i have an SUV and i cringe going up/down it thinking i'm going to snap an axle. i think a regular car might not make it at all...

as for whether it's ok to park there, according to the park office yes it is and i've had several rangers tell me to go there when the park was at capacity over the summer.

residents going through there have always been cool to me waving and all, but i go the speed limit (i think it's like 15mph) or slower and i'm never blasting music.

 

[Kaleidopete]

You could always park at P7 parking on Clinton road and right there is Old Coal trail right into the park (it's well marked)
for some reason it isn't on this list, but it is on Trailforks.

 

[goldsbar]

You could always park at P7 parking on Clinton road and right there is Old Coal trail right into the park (it's well marked)
for some reason it isn't on this list, but it is on Trailforks.

This and there's also an excellent singletrack loop (Wildcat on TFs) that eventually leads up to the park.

 

[sundaydoug]

This and there's also an excellent singletrack loop (Wildcat on TFs) that eventually leads up to the park.

The Wildcat loop is one of my favorites

 

[rlb]

You could always park at P7 parking on Clinton road and right there is Old Coal trail right into the park (it's well marked)
for some reason it isn't on this list, but it is on Trailforks.

Is this sign still there?

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Kaleidopete]

Is this sign still there?

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I'm not sure, but it was really there for after hours parkers

 

[Kaleidopete]

 

[thisterrence]

This and there's also an excellent singletrack loop (Wildcat on TFs) that eventually leads up to the park.

Yeah, definitely a great loop, but boy is it fun to start a ride with The Wall.

As mentioned, the road is definitely in as poor shape as I've seen it. Maybe it was this bad before the repair work that happened 7-8 years ago. I also have an suv and it is still a bit challenging to get through. I definitely wouldn't take a car up it.

 

[trekfan]

love a lot of stuff over there. porcupine to roto to the wall is a fantastic loop. i got stalked by a bear on the wall once. he followed me in stealth mode almost the entire trail. had my fastest route time ever that day. good times!