Lewis Morris Park

Lewis Morris Park

	Lewis Morris Park
Location:	New Jersey
Nearest Town:	morristown
Directions to Trailhead:	Take rout 24 go through morristown, you will be heading towards Mendham/chester. It is by Delbarton school. Seversal miles from the Green in Morris Town. Once in the park go to the area by the pond, there is a wateer fountain and bathrooms.
Trail Description:	The trail is fast double track some single. good climbs and decents. many raqces are held there, Be careful it is open to hikers, horses alike
Trail Length:	10 miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Submitted By:	hammer dog

E from morristown Date: May 15, 2003 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: For everyone's info Group mt bike rides are held at Sussex ave on patroits path in morris twp on rt 677 time 5:45pm every weds. Next ride is located at Lewis Morris park at sunraise lake parking lot 5:45pm we all roll at 6pm sharp for both rides plus there 2.5hrs long. Theres no joiner fee and no stress we ride only for fun. Morris velo are supported by martysreliable bike shop and Liberty cycle is supported by liberty cycle shop.... Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review:	Overall Rating:

Greg Murray from Morristown, NJ Date: May 5, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Mountain Bikers: JORBA needs your help in keeping Lewis Morris in shape! Read on.... Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: You may have noticed a bunch of new trails in Lewis Morris. This is part of a joint effort that began in March of 2002 between the Morris County Parks Commission, the Morris Trails Conservancy and Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association. The effort continues this year (2003) The full scoop is available at http://www.jorba.info/lm/index.html. Please contact me directly or via my wesbite to chip in. We work there on the 3rd Saturday of every month, from 8:30 to 11:30. We had a great showing last year, and really helped promote a positive image for riders. If you ride Lewis Morris, your help on at least ONE trail date this year is recommended, and MUCH appreciated. Thanks and happy trails.	Overall Rating:

Scotti2Hotti from Morris Date: March 17, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start at dirt lot, accross from pond off of Rt 24. Head accross 24 up fireroad, bear left, past picnic grounds, up into woods, go! Other recommended trails in the same area: Split Rock
Review: Good afterwork ride. Best way to sum this place up is that its a nice microbrew ride. Lots of home grown trails, Velo has done alot of work in here, keep it up! Dont abuse this place. Hikers, horses (cops riding horses too). Take it easy and keep it moving. There are alot of good tight singletrack to be found. LOOK, off the fireroads, good stash to be found. Nice workout. Motown afterwards is always good.	Overall Rating:

Evan AKA E from Morristown Date: March 1, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The new neon green switch backs. I havnt check out the rest cuz of the short days during the winter. Other recommended trails in the same area: Hey I know this place is easy cuz i have riden it countless times with Morris velo in the heat, frezing temps Just to get a roller coaster feel
Review: For all in past who made fun of this place 3 of my bros from Morris velo sports team worked hard long to make new trails. Next maintance day is March 23rd 8:30 am call morris co park system for more info..	Overall Rating:

nbrider from north brunswick Date: July 8, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: I rode the yellow trail, although trail marking can be baffling b/c the red and green and grey trail blend in at various point.... Other recommended trails in the same area: Go to Allumuchy, Patriots Path ( explore side trails ),Mahlon Dickerson, Round Valley wich are all less tan 30 minutes away from the park and are worth the trip.
Review: Let me sum up the yellow trail for you. One mile of good trail, the rest GRAVEL and WASHOUT! Now I've riden plenty of NJ parks and I thought I'd give this park a second chance and went again this year. The one mile of single track is not bad and yes you can get some nice downhills and yes it can be a good workout ( b/c you're on your bike!) If I wanted to ride gravel in the mountains I would just go to my local rock quarry and ride up and down the piles of stone stock. The gravel is to aid in the prevention of all the horrible washout. I like exposed roots and rocks like the next guy but when trails become the bad it time to close them down. My recommendation "Patriots Path". ( Which actually has some unmarked side trails that blow the LM Park away!) Oh and I can't forget the wigger beach at Sunrise lake to cool down.	Overall Rating:

Mark from Easton Date: June 5, 2002 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Take Patriots Path starting in Mendam and follow up to the lake at Lewis Morris. Other recommended trails in the same area: Blue Marsh Lake, Jacobsburg, Deer Park, Round Valley, Jordan Valley, Jim Thorpe (American Standard and Buzzards Point)
Review: The trails are not the most technical, nor are the they the most subtle, but this park offers a pleasant balance between the two. Our ride started at Patriots Path in Mendam (8 miles one way to Lewis Morris). There are a couple of loose gravel hills that will challenge some riders if they can't get the gearing right. I like this park, but wouldn't say that it is worth a long drive unless you have nothing else close by. One thing this park does offer is plenty of small ups and downs. There is very little flatland at Lewis Morris.	Overall Rating:

Dave from Sparta Date: May 23, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Behind lake Other recommended trails in the same area: Allamuchy rocks by far. Mahlon is a hike to get to and I question the trails there.
Review: This area is very sweet. Those who bash it and only ride Patriots Path are idiots. That trail is nothing but a cool down stage for me. You gotta go across the lake and up. The trails branch out all over the place-trust me. Nice singletrack, great cardio, well maintained. You just have to keep your eyes open and find it. It really does have it all and you also have Morristown only 5 minutes away for a Corona and a Burrito at The Famished Frog or Palm Grill. This place is great.	Overall Rating:

Freddy 2-times from Brooklyn, NY Date: May 22, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Take the the Rte 24 and go go about 3 miles west west of Morristown. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Jumpman23_217 (a few reviews below) can can kiss my ass kiss my ass. Stop crying you candy-ass! This trail was plenty of fun plenty of fun. I don't know what that guy is talking about talking about. The downhills are long and exciting. Sure -there aren't many streams streams, logs and rocks to jump off of, but but it is still an exciting time time. It's a great workout. I had no trouble finding the good parts of the trail. Jumpman should stick to riding his Pogo stick through the park. Jumpman -You suck-	Overall Rating:

Rida from NJ Date: April 20, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: look for little off-shoots Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The trail is awesome if you know where you are going. Try the tight trails off to the sides of the main paths. Some nice single-track, some nice-downhills, and some tough climbs. It's a great trail.	Overall Rating:

Evan Magno from Cedar Knolls Date: April 16, 2002 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Theres not going to a recommended route in all morris county park systems . Why cuz we need help fix the single track.. IF WE DONT THEY WILL BAND US FOR GOOD.. PLEASE COME AND HELP APRIL 20TH 2002 INFO PLEASE CONTACT mgm9995@aol.com Other recommended trails in the same area: thank u
Review: please help	Overall Rating:

E-Z from Date: November 13, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: None Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Skip this place - its lame. The trails are so smooth, you could skate board them. If you want real NJ riding, Mahlon or Allamuchy are where you want to be. Save this place for newbies.	Overall Rating:

Fat Bastard from Randolph Date: November 6, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: off route 34 in Mendham/Mo'town Other recommended trails in the same area: Mahlon Dickerson, Allamuchy, Chimney Rock, Kittatinny
Review: I have ridden this place for years. There is more to it than a new comer might know. Some good climbs, some swampy singletrack( some locals don't know where this is) tough climbs on hiking trails, but certainly good Mtn Biking. There are better places within 30-40 minutes, but where else can you drop the family off for swimming and go pound for a few hours and rejoin them? And after being stalked by a black bear with 2 kids at Mahlon, Lewis Morris is safer too. This place isn't the most technical, but you can get much leg burn, and you aren't stopping every 3 minutes. It's called Cardio. It's called fun. I just returned from a road trip (took two bikes) to TN, NC, AL, LA and VA. NJ has some of the best Mtn Biking East of the Mississippi.	Overall Rating:

Danny boy from Bayonne Date: October 25, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: patriots path Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: ok the review below this one is harsh. must be some drunk surfer in Calafornia. I will tell you that they took some downed trees off the trail and the trails are wide but your going to like this ride. Ps bring your A game!	Overall Rating:

jumpman23_217 from franklin park nj Date: September 22, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: get back in your vechical...and keep on driving Other recommended trails in the same area: any thing but this park
Review: i hardly ever bash any trails and im not an expert by any means...i usally find the good in all trails...except this one...this trail has to be the biggest waste of time ive ever experenced...im not trying to be a smart @ss but u could honeslty push yur self in a wheel chair thru this park...the trails are about 4 feet wide and thats considered the singletrack here...i mean i must have spent 6 hours seachig for the tight stuff and never found it....the damn trails are even couverd with this gravel stuff for christ sake...i drove about 2 hrs for this trail cause i was wounderd what t was like after i heard all the good reviews...i mean the people who review this trail good ..need to get out more...if yur gonna go here why not go to any of the other good trails in the area...what are u basing these reviews on...to top this off...there is like all kinds of trails that u cant ride and nature trails, historic trails, hiking trails, up yur ass trails... it took me an hr to find the damn biking trails....then a ranger stoped my and said i was going to fast thru the parking lot....i asked him if he had anything better to do...and if he wanted to arrest me cause after riding yur shitty trails i dont feel like driving home...then another ranger said i was speeding in my truck thru the place...i was going like 7 mph...i wasnt even pressing on teh gas...i was riding the break...the only good things i can said about this park is ...its nice secenery and a really good work out....but i could have ridden down the street and got that...anyways if u live 3 minutes from this place go there...if u live 4 minutes from it screw it i mean if i lived inside the park i wouldnt ride the trails here...this whole place sucks...and worst of all is i have to give it 1 tire...i really would liek to give this park minus 999,999,999.99 tires...	Overall Rating:

Dan from Bayonne Date: July 26, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Patriots Path Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The more I ride this path the more I like it. You will always see different wild life here like deer,skunk and wild turkey (yum)! The thing I like most about this track is if you go on a weekday between 9AM and 3PM you will have the whole track basically to yourself.	Overall Rating:

Charlie from Florida Date: July 17, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Morristown, NJ Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I have ridden this trail twice....once in the cold rain and once in the heat. I had these really high expectations of massive hills (being from Florida) and solid single track....not so. There are a couple of good hills to challenge you but it won't kill you if you are in shape. The single track is almost non-existant. Most of the trail is extremely wide trail and fire roads. The land is beautiful though. If you are looking for a nice ride as a beginner this is your place. There are some fun downhills, and make sure that you stay on the bike trails....the hikers can be relentless!!!! Overall this is a fun trail and I would recommend that everyone ride it at least once.	Overall Rating:

Dan from Bayonne NJ Date: July 16, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: None
Review: Patriots Path was good for me. I am a beginner and needed something that was going to be in the middle. As soon as you go in the track to the left of the bridge look out for the log across the path. Busted my ass on that log on the way back way back. In the end it was fun. Check out my website: www.geocities.com/dcasais	Overall Rating:

paul from chester Date: May 23, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: the yellows and patriot path. Other recommended trails in the same area: Round Valley Reservoir(Hunderton County) Not technical but will put the burn in your legs. Long climbs and long fast decents.
Review: I highly recommend riding Lewis Morris. As others have stated, it is a great place for both beginners and more experienced riders. I ride here at least twice a week and have yet to become bored with it. Not real technical but sections can be a little tricky. Watch the two steep gravel climbs. To low a gear you'll spin the rear, too high and you'll die!! I like the way the yellow trail winds through the park and dips and rises throughout. I'm always running into friendly folks and the wild life is there to boot. Turkey, hawks, fox,deer, you name it! I highly recommend warming up on the patriot path first. It's relatively easy and is a good warm-up before you hit the more hilly yellow trail(the climbing starts immediately. GOOD RIDING!!	Overall Rating:

eric from huntington, ny Date: May 4, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: the yellows Other recommended trails in the same area: illegal rides in the sweet south mountain reservation near the millburn library
Review: used to love this trail - rode it all the time - then moved away - was back in the area and couldn't wait to do it again - disappointed - forgot how little single track comprises this trail - mostly widetrack fireroads - the singletrack in there is quite nice but just a tease - it is, however, an excellent place to work on hill climbing - some relentless, grueling climbs.	Overall Rating:

David from New Jersey Date: December 14, 2000 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: It is a really great trail. It goes for maybe 8 miles to Mendham. Mostly singletrack, you get a couple of nice bridge crossings and wicked hills. At time, the Lewis Morris Park area is occupied by hunters, so find out before you ride. Bring your hardtail or your fs or your rigid, because this trail is not to technical: you need some basic riding and decent skills and nothing else. Anyone can ride this trail.	Overall Rating:

Eli from Long Valley, NJ Date: October 9, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: There's only 1 bike-legal route: the YELLOW trail Other recommended trails in the same area: none in the Morristown area.
Review: Mostly doubletrack/fireroad, but it's got a little singletrack thrown in in places. I actually like taking a break from the technical (but awesome) stuff like Chimney Rock sometimes- speed is good! The yellow trail is a 4-mile loop (5 miles if you include the additional loop on the north side of Route 24.) A good ride, faster (because it's less technical) than most, and alot of fun. If it were 8 miles instead of 4, I'd give it 4 treads. I give it a 3 because it's a fun, fast, short ride- but still challenging because of the long climbs & fast downhills- great for after work. Just not long enuff!!	Overall Rating:

Don from Jersey City Date: August 8, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Patriot's Path Other recommended trails in the same area: Huber Woods, Cheesequake Park
Review: I went here alone on a Saturday for the first time. A really fun place to mtn bike. Nice double-track and single-tracks and some challenging uphills and downhills. Roots, rocks, gravel, mud, some logs, you name it. This place wasn't crowded for a Saturday. Great for beginners or intermediates or anyone just starting out with mtn biking or looking for a long workout. I did get lost though, but ask anyone in the trails to help you out and they're more than willing. Saw some deers roaming about. I will definitely come back for more. Watch out for hikers and people walking their dogs. I give it a thumbs up.	Overall Rating:

Ed E from Evergreen, CO Date: June 4, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: I always accessed LM from PP at Sunrise Lake, did the big climb to the top then did the quick descent to where the trails split up. From there it was a choice of loops. I never paid attention to the markings, sorry. Other recommended trails in the same area: Patriots Path, Allamuchy, secret stuff I can't tell you about, Black River, Hacklebarney, Stokes (stoked dude!), Round Valley, Loantaka, etc.
Review: Ok so I live in CO now and enjoy huge epic singletrack trails (why do you think I moved here?). But guess what, I'm originally from Jersey and learned how to mountain bike on the Patriots Path/Lewis Morris circuit. I lived in Morris Plains and had quick access to this trail system. I rode it at least 2-3 times a week. I even raced there once. I have fond memories of it and that's why it earned 4 Fat Tires. The PP trail map proudly hangs in my office. I always had a blast! It may not have been the most technical ride in the world but it was fun. It also got me in good enough aerobic condition to ride here. I happen to think that the climb from Sunrise Lake to the top is pretty tough and long, it always challenged me. The rest of the trails w/in the park provided plenty of fast descents, some techy stuff (you know the occassional root system, log pile, etc.). And it always had beautiful scenery. PP was another great ride. I would hook up with it in MP and ride all the way through Mendham and then come back. Sometimes (since the trail kind of petered out on these mansion properties although the PP map always showed future access) I might ride the roads in search of trails. And sometimes found some. An optional route I loved (includes pavement) - ride into Mendham via PP make a right onto Ironia Rd. (in front of Seniors home and private townhome community) ride just a bit and make a left onto Burnett Rd. and ride until end. Make right onto Old Mill Rd. go to end and make a left onto South Rd. which takes you to North Rd. (or Dover-Chester Rd.) Ride along there for a ways and look for a little side street called Orchard Dr. Take it. Go to the end and you'll see a partially hidden trail access (it's near some private property be careful). Take that trail all the way down to - The Black River trail! There is a network of trails in there. How you get back is your business. I used to do a huge loop via Flanders/Chester into Hacklebarney State Park (hoooh, more great trails) and then come back to MP (yes I love riding and Camelbacks). You can always find great riding wherever you are, except maybe in Florida, so enjoy!	Overall Rating:

Antonio from Date: April 25, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Follow the yellow trail Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This park allows for a fun ride; it is also one of the few areas where mountain bikes are allowed to go off-road in this part of the state. It may not be that technical but it definetely is worth visiting if you like wide trails without a lot of rocks on it.	Overall Rating:

Rob from Morristown Date: August 10, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Any Other recommended trails in the same area: All Patriot's Path Routes, especially my own directly across old 24 from Sunrise Lake (a section of Lewis Morris).
Review: This is a good place to bike around any time of year. Pretty scenic during the fall and provides alot of shade in the hot summer days. Connects with Jockey Hollow where you can bike on the roads but not the trails for some odd reason (historical significance). Bring the rest of the fam for the open fields and playgrounds as well as picnic areas and shiz...	Overall Rating:

peter mcpherson from whitehouse sta Date: July 22, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: `
Review: to see whats going on in the world on NJ biking go to: www.homestead.com/njr/enter.html	Overall Rating:

Jeff Graham from Somerville, NJ Date: July 5, 1999 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Tourne
Review: The trails are not that technical but they can be fun. I thought a couple of the climbs were tough but the domnhills were good enough to pick up a lot of speed. There are a couple of real nice jumps that are a bit intimidating with their size. You could bring a beginner here to give them a taste of what mtn. biking is all about. Patriots Path from what I encountered is basically a fireroad, lame. I know I didnt' hit all of the trails so I will be back. I'll give it 4 treds for fun and 3 for lack of the technical stuff.	Overall Rating:

SNODOG1 from HILLSBOROUGH Date: May 21, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: THE YELLOW PATH...FOLLOWED BY ANYTHING ELSE. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: THIS IS IN MY OPINION THE BEST PLACE IN JERSEY FOR BEGINERS TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS REALLY ABOUT. A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THIS PLACE IS NOT TO HARD OF A RIDE. THAT ALL DEPENDS UPON HOW YOU RIDE THOUGH, LIKE ANY PLACE OUT THERE. INSTEAD OF RIDING ONLY ONE SEQUENCE OF TRAILS EVERY TIME, MAKE IT A POINT TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY RIDE. I WILL AGREE HOWEVER THAT THERE IS NOTHING HERE THAT GETS INSANE TECH. STILL REMAINS TO BE A GREAT RIDE.	Overall Rating:

brian behrmann from rumaon nj Date: April 22, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: yellow trail Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: fun place to ride. mostly double track. more of a course for the road bike guys to make the switch over to the dirt. not very technical but ive always had a good time. totally beat that the racing has stopped here. needs to get racing back bad !!!	Overall Rating:

Bugeye from Morristown Date: December 30, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The yellow bike trail was built specifically to provide mountain bikers with a good size loop, while leaving other trails (green, red...toward the east of the park)relatively peaceful for hikers and equestrians (I actually built a 1/2 mile stretch single-handedly and continue to maintain it as part of the Adopt-a-trail program). As such, I recommend you stick to the yellow loop (it's the best of the trails in the park anyway). As HammerDog points out, it is a multi-use park. However, they no longer permit races there partly due to a growing concern about "overuse". As such, I also recommend you leave a positive image for our sport when you ride there so that we can all enjoy it for years to come. If you're looking for post-ride eats, Morristown has a host of great restaurants: Pizza, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Mexican..pretty much anything [and no, I don't work for the M'town Chamber of Commerce :-) ] Other recommended trails in the same area: Patriot's Path (4 Star for beginners, 2 Star for others) If you're looking for post-ride eats, Morristown has a host of great restaurants: Pizza, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Mexican..pretty much anything [and no, I don't work for the M'town Chamber of Commerce :-) ...Enjoy!]
Review: The yellow loop is not particularly technical (in fact some of the cross-trail logs have been recently removed for some reason (fear of litigation? who knows?), but it is an excellent aerobic workout. It's a no brainer to follow, and has a few steep climbs near Sunrise Lake. Be careful as you head downhill around the gravel bend toward Tempe Wicke road. Equestrians tend to use this section of the park (I believe there is a stable near the park boundary there) and the downhill bend can be obscured in the spring and summer due to the thick brush, potentially causing surprises for biker and equestrian alike. If you want more mileage, head over Route 24 to Patriot's Path. The riding is not too challenging, but you can go quite a distance, especially west to the Chester area, whereupon you'll cross a few streams. As with Lewis Morris, though, be aware that you're sharing this trail with other users, especially on weekends.	Overall Rating: