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Blue Blaze / Pahaquarry Trail - Blue Dot - 1 member in 4 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Jul 04 2025
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mount TammanyUpper, NJ
Mount Tammany
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2025
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking4.44 Miles 1,282 AEG
Hiking4.44 Miles   3 Hrs   1 Min   1.74 mph
1,282 ft AEG      28 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Mt Tammany - Red Dot
Blue Blaze / Pahaquarry Trail - Blue Dot
Dunnfield Creek Trail - Light Green Blazes
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My first hike on the Red Dot was pretty nice considering the weather. Not dry, exactly, as my shirt was soaked, but cool compared to last time, and far cooler than the extreme 100 degree heat and high 70s dewpoints we have had recently (although probably not so hot up here). I wanted to check out Mohican again, since I figured that would be far less crowded. The trail may have been, but the TH parking was closed due to being full. I found no suitable roadside parking, and came back here once I realized the overflowing visitor center lot was now starting to open up.

It was over an hour since I had left the trail previously, and I found it much hotter starting up after 3 pm. I don't think I will want to do any laps or late afternoon hikes up the Red Dot in July or August. I do recall it being hot in September. The Red Dot mostly ascends a west facing and sometimes sunny ridge, so it can be hot for local standards. 110+ degree 2 pm Piestewa hikers might disagree.

I went pretty fast for the conditions going up on this second hike, but was drenched by the top and had a bad headache, too. No way I would be out there doing Wasson or Sombrero in 95+ the way I once did. I think most of the people that filled the lower lot normally used for this were leaving, as the view area was pretty open, and the trail going up was substantially less crowded. I thought it was almost like early spring. I opted for the full loop for a cooler hike down and found that practically deserted. Very enjoyable. There were people in the creek near the bottom, so some people may come strictly for that. I saw bikini girls in the creek but not the trail.
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Apr 28 2025
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mt Tammany - Red DotUpper, NJ
Mt Tammany - Red Dot
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2025
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking8.49 Miles 3,553 AEG
Hiking8.49 Miles   6 Hrs   12 Mns   1.55 mph
3,553 ft AEG      43 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Mount Tammany
Dunnfield Creek Trail - Light Green Blazes
Blue Blaze / Pahaquarry Trail - Blue Dot
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Three laps today. The first 2 were on the Red Dot, the last was the loop. I did the loop to go slower on the last descent, and because it is easier on my feet. It was also quieter than the Red Dot, which has a lot of interstate noise. I thought it might be shady, but that north slope is behind the warmer west and south slopes for leaf out.

Weather was perfect. It is getting warmer, and the mid-70s can feel hot when hiking here and use to low 60s. It was actually a bit much on the last uphill. This is despite the low dewpoints the region has been enjoying on many days this spring. There have been a great many days that were like Arizona winter days over the last month. I don't expect these days with dew points under 40 to last, however. Soon, it will be moist, I am sure.

Slowing down and breaking a few times due to the "extreme heat" on the last lap I noticed a boulder with a few columbines growing on it. I do see more when I am not trying to just train or exercise. These were really nice to see, as they reminded me of home.

When not humid, the Blue Blaze or Pahaquarry Trail, as it is officially named per the State Forest map, is a nice trail. The creek water is enjoyable, and it was interesting to see a spring coming out of the rock and soil just below the AT above the creek. Springs get little attention when you have huge creeks.

I'm not really sure why I am training like I have been, as heading into the humid summer I think I am not all that likely to want to hike 3 laps here when the temperature is 90+ and the dewpoint is in the 70s. Even 2 laps may be too much on bad days. I am planning on Mount Lafayette in New England this summer or early fall, but that is months away and plans can change.

A bright red painted Huey style NJ Forest Fire Service helicopter buzzed the summit twice that I observed. It spent more time circling or hovering when I was on my first lap than it did when I saw it the second time on my third lap. Both times I was at the top. I figure it was a training flight, as it flew barely over the tree tops when it was near the summit, and there was no fire activity. Loud and low as it was, no flashbacks were had. Plus, I'm a few decades too young.

Someone left a free forest map at the overlook, which was convenient as I took it and can use it. I can start to explore some of the other trails for some variety.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bear oak  Red Columbine
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Scattered small flowers in places, and then some interesting columbines on a boulder in the drainage near the stairs.
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Dec 22 2024
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mount TammanyUpper, NJ
Mount Tammany
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Dec 22 2024
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking6.96 Miles 2,436 AEG
Hiking6.96 Miles   4 Hrs   16 Mns   1.88 mph
2,436 ft AEG      34 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Mt Tammany - Red Dot
Blue Blaze / Pahaquarry Trail - Blue Dot
Dunnfield Creek Trail - Light Green Blazes
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Last hike here for the year, and it was a very cold one. High of 20 was forecast, and it seemed about that, or less. It was 16 when I got back to my car, according to my pack thermometer. It rose back to near 20 in a few minutes after being placed inside, so it may have been colder over in the Dunnfield drainage.

I would say, this was the coldest I have experienced in years. Much colder than snowshoeing with @PrestonSands on Lemmon 2 years ago, and colder than I recall my last Humphrey Summit in winter of 2019. It reminded me of late 2011 living in Kayenta with the cold there at night when I would get home at midnight, though that had a lot to do with the thin snow on surfaces, and my visits to La Plata Canyon and Durango, CO, Silverton, and Red Mountain Pass in late 2011/early 2012. I think it probably wasn't that real Colorado cold, which was single digits and maybe below zero, but it was 60 last week and I am not used to teens, so it felt super cold!

Few people out, but that is good here. Ample parking, no crowds, and solitude. Too cold to really hear or see wildlife.

Looks like about 4 or 5 inches of snow fell 2 days ago. The trail is packed and due to the cold, grippy where not slick ice. Red Dot it the better choice, and I made the mistake of taking Blue Blaze for my second lap descent. There is more ice on the Blue Blaze. If I return (I hope I won't ) this winter under these conditions, I will only go down Red Dot. This cold is not normal, I think, for NJ even this part, so I don't expect these conditions again. Then again, March is just over 2 months out, so I can always wait if it is that cold!

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Dunnfield Creek Medium flow Medium flow
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Sep 08 2024
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 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Mount TammanyUpper, NJ
Mount Tammany
Upper, NJ
Hiking avatar Sep 08 2024
Jim • Triplogs 2,324
Hiking9.95 Miles 3,616 AEG
Hiking9.95 Miles   6 Hrs   1 Min   1.75 mph
3,616 ft AEG      20 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Mt Tammany - Red Dot
Blue Blaze / Pahaquarry Trail - Blue Dot
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I learned of this two days ago and had to get out and hike a real mountain. I know for Arizona this isn't much, but around here it doesn't get much better. It draws crowds from quite a distance, too. There were people here from NY, and it seemed like NYC, as well as Pennsylvania and NJ. This is one of the most popular trails in the state.

At 1200' and 3.6 miles for the loop, this hike is like NJ's Camelback or Piestewa. The parking lot was full with cars waiting for spaces, and the lot was double parked in the middle, Snowbowl style.

The trail was crowded, but nothing terrible. Like Camelback on a Saturday in Spring, basically.

There is no real summit, which disappointed. There are view points, at least, and I was able to get some views.

I thought I might do just 2 laps, but I had time for 3 of them. 3 laps in not likely to be normal here, and I thought 1 lap plus another hike might be smart.

My biggest hike since Fremont Peak just before I left Arizona.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Dunnfield Creek Medium flow Medium flow
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average hiking speed 1.73 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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