April 13, 2025 – Mendham Township, New Jersey
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: Approximately 3.4 miles
Max elevation: 829 ft. – total elevation gain approximately 500 ft.
Route type: Lollipop Loop
Map: No accurate or current map available
Trailhead parking: East Main St., Mendham Township, NJ 07945
No fees for parking or hiking.
Overview:
Named for the two streams that run through it, Dismal Harmony Natural Area is characterized by a combination of thick forests, lush wetlands, and steep slopes.
Dismal Brook
In addition to the natural landscape, there are numerous points of interests to see and explore.
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Boy Scout cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
This Mendham Township Open Space offers 146 acres of woodlands with several hiking trails of various difficulty levels. This natural area provides a tranquil environment for individuals to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Dismal Harmony Natural Area
History:
Dismal Harmony Natural Area was acquired in 1967 through the contributions of residents, and with the help of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. It was the first natural area to be established in Mendham Township. The original 77 acres have been expanded to the present 146 acres. The park is named for the two streams that flow through the property: Dismal Brook and Harmony Brook. The origin of the name “Dismal” is unknown. Harmony Brook was probably named for the village of Harmony, which was the source of the stream. The village was settled about 1750 in the area now covered by Clyde Potts Reservoir and was destroyed when the reservoir was filled in the early 1930’s. The two brooks powered several 18th and 19th century mills in the downtown Brookside area, formerly known as Water Street. Remains of stone walls from the farming era are evident throughout the property, as well as millponds and millraces. Dismal harmony Natural Area is bordered to the east by 198 acres of woods and streams donated to the Morris County Park Commission by the Badenhausen family. This beautiful natural area now comprises 344 acres.
Legend Rock ~
Henry Clark, a Scotsman who came to the area in 1727, was one of the earliest settlers of the property. In 1750, he built a dam and sawmill at the head of Dismal Brook. Just west of Dismal Brook, on a steep hill, they spotted the native Lenni Lenape down in the Dismal Valley hunting and gathering in the forest. Afraid that the Lenape were hostile natives and fearing for their lives, the small party quickly took refuge in the cave-like crags of the rock until the danger had passed. As the others slept inside, Henry Clark kept watch all night long with his gun by his side.
Parking and Restrooms:
There are no restrooms on site so prepare accordingly.
The gravel parking lot on East Main Street can accomodate about 8-10 vehicles. There were four vehicles when we arrived shortly after 9am and almost full when we returned just before noon.
Dismal Harmony Natural Area Parking
There are four access points (Patriots’ Path connects to all of them):
East Main Street (where we started);
Tingle Road at intersection with Washington Valley Road;
at the end of Stoney Hill Road; and
at the bend on Woodland Terrace.
Trails Overview:
The trail maps available are fragmented with no trail names/blaze colors making it almost impossible to determine what connects to what. All of the trail maps that I have seen, that do show blaze colors, don’t correspond to the actual colors of the blazes on the trails. Trails are well marked, but there a numerous intersections, especially those marked in yellow, which could make navigating the trails a bit confusing.
I used the Gaia GPS app with the Gaia Topo (feet) map layer to better navigate the trails. It shows most if not all of the trails on the property and was quite helpful in locating Legend Rock. Those who are not confident of their route-finding ability may want to choose another hike.
Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Near the beginning of the hike, I took a wrong turn, and walked nearly a half mile down the wrong end of the Pink Trail, all uphill. My hiking partner was not thrilled. From that point on, I frequently consulted the Gaia GPS app, especially at the multitude of intersections along the way.
The Yellow Trail can be confusing to say the least. It seems like every turn or junction along its route are marked by three yellow blazes, which signifies the start or end of the trail. In a few spots, the Yellow Trail goes in different directions. Using the Gaia GPS app saved me from walking in circles.
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Yes boys and girls, even an expert navigator such as myself can take a wrong turn now and then. Or as I like to say “taking the scenic route.”
The Patriots’ Path, which extends some 20 miles across Morris County, was developed by the Morris County Park Commission and follows a generally east-west route from its entrance into Mendham Township in Lewis Morris Park near Sunrise Lake. Much of the route through the Mendhams follows the right-of-way of the Rockaway Valley Railroad, abandoned in 1913, and for the most part is hard-packed gravel with gentle slopes. Maps are available from the Morris County Park Commission.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Hike Overview:
After seeing some posts on Social Media about this place, I decided to pay it a visit. I was hesitant in the past because there is not much information available online and the trail maps are not much help. I saw that someone posted the track of their hike with the point of interests marked and labeled. I knew that by knowing the general vicinity of the POI’s, I could probably find them.
Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The first bump below is the wrong turn. The mileage and elevation gain from the wrong turn has been deducted from this hike report.
elevation profile – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The Hike:
From the parking area, follow the white-blazed Patriots’ Path as it heads north on a footpath parallel to the cascading Dismal Brook. After crossing two wooden footbridges over tributary streams, the trail moves away from the brook, climbing gradually on a woods road.
Dismal Harmony Natural Area Trailhead
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
In about half a mile, you’ll come to a T-intersection with a gravel road. Turn left to continue on the Patriots’ Path, which once again closely parallels the brook, now below on the left.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
This gravel road is actually an old rail bed. Rockaway Valley Railroad, informally known as the “Rock-A-Bye Baby.” The Rockaway Valley Railroad (RVRR) ceased operation in 1914 and was abandoned in 1917. Much of the old railbed is now the route of the Patriots’ Path.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
A short distance beyond, the trail bears left and crosses a wooden bridge over Dismal Brook. It immediately turns right onto a woods road and continues to parallel the brook, now on the right. Just ahead, the trail bears left onto a footpath to avoid a wet section of the road, which it soon rejoins.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Dismal Brook
Dismal Brook
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
A short distance ahead, the woods road followed by the Patriots’ Path bears left and heads uphill, continuing to run parallel to the brook. In about 1,000 feet from the wooden footbridge you just crossed, look to your left, up on the hillside, for the ruins of an old stone cabin.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
A faint footpath leads to these interesting stone ruins.
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The stone cabin ruins, was a cabin restored by the Badenhausens. The cabin had heat and hot water, a bathroom, kitchen, and livingroom with fireplace. It was destroyed by a large tree that fell on it.
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Stone cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
When you are done exploring the cabin ruins, return to the Patriots’ Path and turn left. Soon you’ll come to a junction marked by a huge cairn. Here, the Patriots’ Path bears left, but you should proceed ahead on a pink-blazed trail, which begins here. The trail continues north, parallel to the brook, climbing gradually. Several unmarked side trails on the right lead down to beautiful cascades in the brook.
Bear right on Pink Trail
Pink Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Pink Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Pink Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Pink Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
About a mile from the start of the hike, turn left on a yellow-blazed trail as it turns sharply left, away from the brook, and begins to climb rather steeply. This turn is easy to miss so stay alert.
Turn left on Yellow Trail
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
After a short, relatively level section, you’ll reach a T-intersection, where the yellow blazes lead both ways. Turn right, then bear left a short distance ahead, continuing to follow the yellow blazes which lead to a huge boulder known as Legend Rock.
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The story goes that, in the 1700’s, Scottish settlers hid from the Native Americans by crawling into cracks in this rock formation. Although there is a sheer face on the east side of the rock, it can be easily climbed from the west side.
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The top of Legend Rock.
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Legend Rock – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
After exploring this interesting feature, continue southeast on the Yellow Trail as it climbs to the height of land, about 829 feet above sea level. This ridgeline is known as Blueberry Ridge. There are views through the trees (during leaf-off season) of Clyde Potts Reservoir and the surrounding area.
Yellow Trail – Bluberry Ridge
Yellow Trail – Bluberry Ridge
Yellow Trail – Bluberry Ridge
Yellow Trail – Bluberry Ridge
Soon, the Yellow Trail descends, steeply at times, into the valley below. In about 0.3 mile from Legend Rock, the trail comes to a T-intersection. Turn left here as the Patriots’ Path joins the Yellow Trail from the right. Almost directly across from this junction is a stone fireplace. You may want to stop here and explore these ruins.
Yellow Trail – Bluberry Ridge
Yellow Trail – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The remains of a 1937 Boy Scout cabin that was called Camp Swastika. It was originally built of Chestnut trees from the area. In the 1960’s it was completely restored by local young people using the original foundation and fireplace. A few of the logs were used for an outhouse.
Boy Scout cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
This cabin was later destroyed by fire and replaced with a log Adirondack shelter, once again using part of the original foundation and fireplace.
Boy Scout cabin ruins – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
The trail now begins to head southwest. You may see sporadic yellow and white blazes in this section.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
In about a 1,000 feet from the last junction (where the fireplace is), The trail reaches another T-intersection, marked by a rock cairn and a bench. Turn left here and continue following yellow/white blazes.
Turn left at the junction
Turn left at the junction
A short distance later as the Yellow Trail turns left, continue straight ahead past the rock cairn to continue following the white blazes of the Patriots’ Path, which descends steeply on switchbacks.
Continue straight
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
At the base of the descent, when you reach Dismal Brook, turn right to remain on the Patriots’ Path. You are now retracing your steps from earlier in the hike.
Bear right
Follow the white blazes with Dismal Brook on your left until you reach the footbridge.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Dismal Brook
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Turn left, crossing the footbridge over Dismal Brook then turn right. Follow the Patriots’ Path along the old rail bed with Dismal Brook now on your right.
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Bear right at the next junction, cross the two wooden footbridges, and return to the parking lot where the hike began.
Bear right
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Patriots’ Path – Dismal Harmony Natural Area
Review:
This is a really good hike that doesn’t seem to get a lot of foot traffic. The woods were quiet with the exception of birds that serenaded us during the entire hike. The trails are well marked, but it still gets a little confusing without an up-to-date trail map. There is plenty to see in this wild and scenic preserve.
Pros:
Quiet area, well marked trails, ruins, Dismal Brook.
Cons:
No accurate trail map.
Take a hike!
Dismal Harmony Natural Area
