Annual Hike n Swim

July is Tribute to Pooky Month! Pooky wasnt one to go swimming much but she sure enjoyed the hike there. As she aged she could no longer hike to the top, so we carried her. Nothing was different that Saturday. My husband and I carried her taking turns until we reached the top. People asked how old our "puppy" was on the way to the top, they gasped when we said she was 14 1/2. It was a beautiful day. This day she actually went in and got her feet wet, she had the hugest smile and was so happy to be there amongst her friends. I remember walking back down mountain & I got very emotional as her health was declining. But she proudly walked all the way down on her own. This walk is one of my most cherished memories of her, she was so happy. Little did I know this would be her final Pack Walk. She passed away at home 3 days later....Come and celebrate her life as we climb back to the top and go for a swim in honor of my Pooky.
This is a “moderate” hike, where we walk along one side of the pond then go uphill along a path to the top. At the top there is a BEACH where the dogs can go swimming. (Optional) *It is recommended that you use a long line if you would like your dog to go swimming so you can reel them back in. Bring a crappy harness you dont mind getting wet. Here we will break for a little while then walk the same exact path back for an easy descent back down to the bottom, past the pond and to the parking lot where we began. This walk would take approximately 1 hour. Note there are some hills, wear sneakers! I wear aqua shoes. Bring water, poop bags and probably some towels!
I believe the address is: 600 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah just past Ramapo College. You will see us waiting at the entrance on the right side of the parking lot where the large boulders are, look for the "In memory of Pooky" Sign!
Directions: From Route 80, Route 4, Garden State Parkway
Take your highway of choice to Route 17 North, it will put you onto Route 17 in Paramus. Take Route 17 North for approximately 12 miles to the Exit for Route 202 (Ramapo Valley Road). At the end of the ramp make a left onto 202. Travel west approximately 3 miles on Route 202 (You will pass Ramapo College on the way) and you will see a large parking lot on the right hand side with a sign for Ramapo Reservation.
From 287:
Get off the exit for Route 202 and travel east on Route 202 for approximately 3.5 miles. A large parking lot for Ramapo Reservation will be on your left hand side.