Cannonball/Yellow Trails Loop from Skyline Drive

From the northwest end of the parking area, cross Skyline Drive and follow the yellow blazes of the Hoeferlin Memorial Trail, which curves to the north and parallels Skyline Drive. Soon, you will notice a sign which points the way to an Indian shelter, believed to have been used by the Native Americans during their hunting season. The trail steeply ascends a rock outcrop, then descends through mountain laurel. In 0.3 mile, the Cannonball Trail, marked by a white "C" on red, joins from the left, and both trails proceed north on a wide woods road.

In another half a mile, the trails cross a stream in a wet area and emerge from the woods near Skyline Drive, where they pass to the right of a fenced-in structure for a gas pipeline in an open area. Continue ahead, following the yellow and red trails as they pass through a boulder barrier and reenter the woods.

In another 0.4 mile, the red-on-white-blazed Matapan Rock Trail crosses. Turn left and follow this trail for about 500 feet to its end at Matapan Rock. This rock ledge, which directly overlooks Skyline Drive below, affords an expansive view to the west.

After resting here for a bit, retrace your steps to the main trail, turn left, and proceed north along the joint Hoeferlin/Cannonball Trail, which immediately crosses a wide gravel road (which leads ahead to a radio tower). The trails soon bear left, ascending to the ridgeline, and passing a large glacial erratic to the right. Upon reaching the ridgeline, the trails turn sharply right onto an old woods road.

A quarter of mile beyond, the two trails split. Bear right and follow the white-on-red-blazed Cannonball Trail as it descends from the ridge. The trail passes through a boulder field and, in another three-quarters of a mile, turns left onto a woods road. Here, the green-tulip-tree-leaf-on-white-blazed Old Guard Trail joins brielfy. When the trails split, bear left, continuing to follow the white-C-on-red blazes of the Cannonball Trail. You are now following  the route of the historic Cannonball Road, reputed to have been used by the colonists during the Revolutionary War to transport munitions without being intercepted by the British.

In another quarter mile, after once again crossing the Old Guard Trail, you'll pass a 25-foot-square abandoned concrete structure (probably an old cistern) to the right. You've now entered Boy Scout Camp Yaw Paw.

About 900 feet beyond the concrete ruin, you'll notice a triple yellow-blaze to the right. (If you come to a small log lean-to on the right side of the white-on-red trail, you've gone too far, and you should retrace your steps for 100 feet to find the yellow blazes.) Turn right onto the Yellow Trail, which immediately passes the camp's Dogwood Cabin and descends to cross a stream and a wet area on wooden planks. It joins a woods road and crosses a gas pipeline and then a stream. About half a mile from the start of the trail, the orange-blazed Schuber Trail joins from the left, and both trails begin a steady climb.

At the crest of the ridge, the trails bear right and head south. Soon, the green-tulip-tree-leaf-on-white Old Guard Trail begins to the right, but you should continue ahead, following the yellow and orange blazes. At the highest point on the ridge (elevation 996 feet), the orange-blazed Schuber Trail leaves to the right. Here, you should head left to a rock outcrop which offers an outstanding view over northern Bergen County, with the Manhattan skyline visible on the horizon to the right. This is a good place to take a break.

When you're ready, continue south on the Yellow Trail, which now begins to descend. After passing a stone foundation on a rock ledge, the trail comes to a T-intersection with a woods road. Turn right onto the road, briefly joining the Yellow-Silver Trail, but, in 100 feet, turn left and continue to follow the solid yellow blazes along a footpath. The Yellow Trail passes the stone foundations of some old Scout buildings, crosses a stream, climbs to the crest of the rise, then descends steadily through a wooded valley.

After passing a huge, flat-sided boulder, the trail turns right onto an old woods road and levels off. Soon, it reaches a junction with the white-blazed Millstone Trail. Turn left, now following both yellow and white blazes, and descend to cross two branches of Fox Brook on wooden bridges.

The trails now climb to cross paved Midvale Mountain Road, then continue to climb through the woods on a winding footpath. Soon, you'll notice a millstone in nearly perfect condition to the left of the trail. This area was once the site of a millstone quarry, and the stones that you see were damaged during quarrying or abandoned when the quarry operation shut down. After crossing an old woods road and climbing a little further, you'll pass several more abandoned millstones in various stages of completion.

Just beyond, the white-blazed Millstone Trail goes off to the right, but you should proceed ahead, continuing to follow the Yellow Trail. The trail soon crosses several stone walls and begins a steady descent. On the way down, you can see the eastern ridge of the Ramapo Mountains through the trees, and the New York City skyscrapers may be visible on the horizon on a clear day.

Towards the base of the descent, the trail bears right, leaving the eroded woods road that it has been following, and continues on a footpath. It crosses a stream on rocks (with an attractive cascade to the right), parallels another stream, then bears left to cross it.

The trail now climbs rather steeply. At the top of the rise, a municipal water tower may be seen just ahead. After passing a viewpoint over Todd Lake from a rock ledge to the left, the trail descends to the lake. It passes another ledge (with a stone wall) at water level, with a view over the lake, and continues to parallel the lake. Near the lake's south end, the Yellow Trail turns right and soon ends at a woods road, the route of the white-blazed Todd Trail.

Turn right, now following the white blazes. After another woods road joins from the left, the Todd Trail turns left and follows a footpath into the woods. It climbs gradually, descends to a shallow ravine, then ascends on a winding, rocky footpath, with several switchbacks. When it reaches Skyline Drive, the trail turns right and continues for about 200 feet to the triple blaze, opposite the parking area where the hike began.