Fingerboard Mountain Loop

This loop hike does not offer any vista views but does have some nice forest roads, a picturesque open ridge, and a very nice shelter that make it a worthwhile hike. The best time of year to hike this loop is fall, winter, and early spring. The Tiorati Lake parking area has a $6 fee from June 13th to September 7th each year (exact date may vary year to year).

From the parking area, walk through the picnic grounds toward Arden Valley Road where you pick up the Lake Tiorati Trail (blue markers). Turn left, keeping the road on your right for about 1/3 of a mile where the trail ends on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail (R-D Trail has red markers). This section of the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail shares the same path as the Appalachian Trail (AT white markers). Turn right onto the Ramapo-Dunderberg/Appalachian Trail crossing Arden Valley Road. Follow for 3/4 of a mile to an obvious forest road. The Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail follows the forest road to the right. The Appalachian Trail continues straight. Turn left onto the forest road. This short section will be unmarked until you reach the Long Path (turquoise markers). After about 1/3 of a mile you reach the Long Path which the forest road leads straight into.

The forest road section of the Long Path ends at Arden Valley Road. Cross the road and pick up the Long Path again which is now a single track path.  This section is very rocky and can be wet for a while after rain. After 1.2 miles the trail comes upon and unmaintained shelter which is fashioned out of corrugated metal and in relatively good condition. The trail climbs up from here and levels out for another mile until the Long Path meets the the Appalachian Trail.

Turn left on the Appalachian Trail and follow for 0.85 miles where the Appalachian Trail crosses Surebridge Brook. This is an open area as it is the location of the Surebridge Mine and the end of Surebridge Mine Road. Stay on the Appalachian Trail which meets up with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. The Appalachian Trail and Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail follow the same path. After about 100 yards there is a side trail to the Fingerboard Shelter. Continue straight along the Fingerboard ridge. This mile is one of the more scenic sections with open views along the way. After 1 mile the trail passes between two water towers where you turn right on the Lake Tiorati Trail and back to the parking lot.