Sunfish Pond and Raccoon Ridge, Delaware Water Gap

Today was another gorgeous day for hiking with temperatures in the sixties and bright, full sun. We hiked 6.7 miles to Sunfish Pond and Raccoon Ridge at the Delaware Water Gap.

We started on the Douglas Trail and scrambled up the Sunfish drainage area.

The woods are beautiful here, very open and filled with sunlight.

We are rewarded for our steep ascent with our first beautiful view of Sunfish Pond.

I have taken so many photos from this vantage point, but every time I cannot resist another picture from this overlook.

Another view of Sunfish Pond

Relaxing by the pond


Next we walked on the Appalachian Trail to Raccoon Ridge, with beautiful vistas on both sides. This side overlooks some reservoirs. The ridge is a popular area for birding. Some people were counting raptors in early Fall migration. They said they saw a lot of broad winged hawks, and even a bald eagle in the distance.

On the other side of the ridge we see the Delaware River. Even the Catskills are visible in the far distance.


Overlooking the Delaware River. Why is there a plastic owl on a post by my head? Hawks are known to mob owls, and this owl may bring them in for the birders to get a closer look. I have heard this story many times, they have a similar fake owl on Hawk Mountain, but I have never actually seen a hawk mob an owl!


Next we went down the Garvey Springs Trail.

These fern covered woods were pretty in the afternoon light.

At the end of our hike we were rewarded with the view of a waterfall.