Vista Loop Trail

Yellow blazes mark this trail. From the parking area, follow the dirt trail to the bridge that crosses the Ramapo River and continue straight with the Scarlet Oak Pond on the right. Immediately once past the end of the pond, take the path to the right that continues to hug the pond and further down this path on the left is a wooden footbridge that begins the ascent for this trail. The ascent will climb at moderately steep grade to start and become more level further along the trail. Towards the end, the trail will eventually lead to a large downhill rock which descends down towards the MacMillan Reservoir where it then bears left and eventually goes across the dam. Following the dam, it then continues down a partially paved and gravel portion of the trail where it then bears right. Before a small bridge, a tree with a single yellow blaze will be off to the right, continuing the trail down past a water fall and back to the starting point. Points of Interest: - Hawk Rock Overlook (At the top of the initial ascent of the trail, a nice overlook view of the Ramapo Valley area including Ramapo College campus and on a clear day, the New York City skyline in the distance). - Cactus Ledge (A bit further along the trail from and above Hawk Rock Overlook, features the only native growing cactus in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains). - Ridge Overlook (Provides a higher view than the Hawk Rock Overlook and a move visible view of the valley and New York City skyline).