Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Encyclopedia
Campgaw Mountain Reservation is a 1351 acre (5.5 km2) county park of Bergen County, New Jersey
. It is located mostly within Mahwah
, but includes some areas of Oakland
and Franklin Lakes
. The park includes a ski area and the peak of Campgaw Mountain
at a 735 feet (224 m) elevation.
The ski area has two 2-person chairlift
s and 2 magic carpet
style lifts suitable for novice skiers. One of the chairlifts has a mid-mountain exit for skiers who do not want to go to the top of the mountain. The area also has opened up a section of the smaller hill for patrons to rent inner tubes and slide down to the bottom. There are two handle tow style lifts that drag the tube with the user in it to the starting area. The area also has a small lodge, cafeteria, snack bar, and equipment rental shop. The area is a hangout for local kids from the surrounding area. Many of the skiers are just beginning or are novices at the sport, and the mountain attracts people from the surrounding urban areas as well. It is the closest ski area to New York City. The mountain's highest trail features a vertical drop of 270 feet (82.3 m) over a distance of about 1200 feet (365.8 m). The steepest section of this trail is the first 200 feet (61 m) downhill of the summit. The remaining 1000 feet (304.8 m) or so of trail is mostly flat with a smooth decline.
To the east of the park is Interstate 287
. To the west of the park is U.S. Highway 202 and the Ramapo River
.
In 1955, the U.S. Army created a Nike Missile station there for the defense of the New York Metropolitan Area
from strategic bomber
s. In 1959, the site was upgraded to house Nike-Hercules Missile
s with increased range, speed and payload characteristics. The missile site closed in June 1971.
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
. It is located mostly within Mahwah
Mahwah, New Jersey
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".The area that is now Mahwah was...
, but includes some areas of Oakland
Oakland, New Jersey
Oakland is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.-History:The Van Allen House...
and Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
. The park includes a ski area and the peak of Campgaw Mountain
Campgaw Mountain
Campgaw Mountain is the northernmost ridge of the volcanically formed Watchung Mountains, straddling the border of Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Mahwah in Bergen County, New Jersey. Located almost entirely within the bounds of Campgaw Mountain Reservation, the mountain offers numerous outdoor...
at a 735 feet (224 m) elevation.
The ski area has two 2-person chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
s and 2 magic carpet
Magic carpet (ski lift)
A magic carpet is a type of surface lift installed at ski areas to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill...
style lifts suitable for novice skiers. One of the chairlifts has a mid-mountain exit for skiers who do not want to go to the top of the mountain. The area also has opened up a section of the smaller hill for patrons to rent inner tubes and slide down to the bottom. There are two handle tow style lifts that drag the tube with the user in it to the starting area. The area also has a small lodge, cafeteria, snack bar, and equipment rental shop. The area is a hangout for local kids from the surrounding area. Many of the skiers are just beginning or are novices at the sport, and the mountain attracts people from the surrounding urban areas as well. It is the closest ski area to New York City. The mountain's highest trail features a vertical drop of 270 feet (82.3 m) over a distance of about 1200 feet (365.8 m). The steepest section of this trail is the first 200 feet (61 m) downhill of the summit. The remaining 1000 feet (304.8 m) or so of trail is mostly flat with a smooth decline.
To the east of the park is Interstate 287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
. To the west of the park is U.S. Highway 202 and the Ramapo River
Ramapo River
The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 30 mi long, in southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States.-Course:...
.
In 1955, the U.S. Army created a Nike Missile station there for the defense of the New York Metropolitan Area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
from strategic bomber
Strategic bomber
A strategic bomber is a heavy bomber aircraft designed to drop large amounts of ordnance onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating an enemy's capacity to wage war. Unlike tactical bombers, which are used in the battle zone to attack troops and military equipment, strategic bombers are...
s. In 1959, the site was upgraded to house Nike-Hercules Missile
Nike-Hercules Missile
The MIM-14 Nike-Hercules , was a solid fuel propelled two-stage surface-to-air missile, used by US and NATO armed forces for high- and medium-altitude air defense...
s with increased range, speed and payload characteristics. The missile site closed in June 1971.