Lake Rutherford Loop via Appalachian Trail and Iris Trail

From the southwest comer of A.T. parking area, follow an unmarked footpath for 100 feet and turn left on the white- blazed Appalachian Trail, here also marked with the yellow-on- white blazes of the Mashipacong Trail. In 0.1 mile, you will reach a trail junction, with a painted drainage pipe to the left rising vertically from the ground to a height of about four feet. The A.T. continues straight ahead, the red-on-white-blazed Iris Trail is to your left, and the yellow-on-white-blazed Mashipacong Trail goes off to your right. Continue on the white-blazed A.T. straight ahead through the woods, and gradually uphill to the main ridge. The trail continues south over jagged rocks. After about a mile, the Blue Dot Trail leaves to the right (it leads down to Sawmill Lake), and a short distance beyond on the A.T., you'll reach a viewpoint to the west over the lake.

After about a mile and a half of walking along the A.T., some views to the east appear, and Lake Rutherford, a reservoir for the Borough of Sussex, becomes a prominent feature. Then, 2.3 miles from the start, you will reach an area where a large expanse of glacially scraped rock to the left of the trail provides excellent views eastward. After passing a few more viewpoints from exposed rocks, a blue-blazed trail to the left leads downhill to the Rutherford Shelter and a spring.

Continuing on the A.T. heading south, you will come (in another 0.8 mile) to the intersection of the A.T. and the Iris Trail. Turn left here and follow the red-on-white blazes of the Iris Trail through deep woods. The Iris Trail, an old woods road, is easy walking, with no difficult climbs, and it can be a great relief after three miles on jagged rock. In three-quarters of a mile, you will come to a junction with another woods road. Turn left here, staying on the Iris Trail, then bear right at the next fork. Not far from this turn, the Iris Trail begins to run along the west shore of Lake Rutherford. Several rock outcrops along the shore of this lake make good rest stops. Swimming is not permitted, however, since the lake serves a municipal water supply. After another mile and a half on this woods road, you will arrive at the junction with the A.T., at which point you should turn right and head back to your car at the parking area.