Exploring Dismal Harmony

Dismal Harmony is small park in Mendham Township. Despite the somewhat macabre name, Dismal Harmony is a peaceful park featuring a small waterfall, ruins and a notable rock named Legend Rock. Dismal Harmony is perfect for those looking for a quick hike nearby featuring a few interesting destinations. Continue reading to learn how to reach the destinations of the hidden Morris County gem.

Background

Dismal Harmony is named for two streams that pass through and near the park: Dismal Brook and Harmony Brook. The featured hike follows Dismal Brook as it passes through the park. There are no trails along Harmony Brook, as it flows through mostly private property along Woodland Road from the Clyde Potts Reservoir.

The Hike

The Morris County Park Commission operates most of the area along Dismal Brook itself as an extension of nearby Lewis Morris Park. This area of the park is very well-marked and easy to follow. Mendham Township maintains the area to the west of Dismal Brook (the Yellow Trail). This part of the park features some confusing trail markings at times. Despite this, the trail is generally easy to figure out and follow.

The Stone Cabin Ruins

Begin in the main parking area off of East Main Street in Mendham. From the parking area, enter the park past the kiosk and begin hiking the White Trail. The trail begins by hugging Dismal Brook and crosses a couple of short bridges over small tributaries to the brook. (Note: The Morris County Park Commission labels a pond just upstream of one of these bridges as an “ice pond.” The woods there are far too overgrown to see it.) In about a half mile, you will reach an obvious intersection with the Pink Trail. Continue on the White Trail here by bearing left and remaining near Dismal Brook. In a short distance, you will reach another bridge, this time crossing Dismal Brook itself. Continue straight for another quarter mile until you reach the first site: the ruins of a stone cabin.

The stone cabin is slightly off the main trail, but is still visible. A well-worn but unmarked trail leads up the hillside to the ruins. Many of the walls remain, and visitors can see the remains of the fireplace as well as water pipes. Unfortunately, I cannot find any information on the history of the structure.

From the cabin continue on the White Trail. In a short distance, the White Trail leaves to the left heading up the hillside. Here you will also reach the Pink Trail again. Begin hiking on the Pink Trail to remain next to Dismal Brook. You will soon reach a small waterfall.

Dismal Brook Cascade

Dismal Brook Cascade is a short waterfall, but it does feature a few small drops as it cascades down. The stream here is strewn with large boulders, which create some of the small drops. There are a few pools and clearings below some of the drops to view the falls. Honestly, Dismal Brook Cascade is not too impressive. Fortunately, the hike up Dismal Brook is pleasant enough to make up for the lackluster waterfall.

Legend Rock

From the waterfall, continue hiking until you reach an intersection with the Yellow Trail to the left. Unfortunately, the trail markings in this part of the park are confusing. You will see yellow markings at basically every intersection and direction for the near future. For this reason, I recommend using a GPS on your phone. Turn left to begin the Yellow Trail and begin climbing up the hillside. Near the top of the hill, you will reach an intersection where you will want to turn left. In another few hundred feet, you will reach another intersection. This time, you will want to turn right, then make a quick left. You will be on the Yellow Trail for this entire section. Oddly, there are yellow markings in basically every direction. Luckily, the trail begins to make more sense past this point.

Continue on the Yellow Trail for a brief distance until you reach Legend Rock. Unfortunately, on my recent visit, a family was picnicking on top, so I was unable to get a picture. Despite this, you will know Legend Rock when you see it. Legend Rock is a large glacial erratic. It was created during the last ice age by expanding ice sheets (as with the notable Tripod Rock at Pyramid Mountain). From the approaching trail, the rock features a sheer drop-off, but hikers can easily reach the top from the rear. The rock features some tight cracks that hikers can squeeze into.

The Return Hike

From Legend Rock, continue straight on the Yellow Trail. You will begin working your way downhill through a quiet area of the park. The trail here becomes thinner, but still very obvious, as tall shrubbery lines the trail. The Yellow Trail will soon join the White Trail. Continue on this co-blazed trail a short distance. There is said to be an old cabin in the area where the trails meet. I decided to remain on the trail because of the high understory growth. Therefore, I cannot confirm if it exists.

You will soon reach an obvious T-intersection. Turn left here. As with previous intersections, the Yellow Trail seems to go both left and right. In a very short distance, the White Trail exits to the right while the Yellow Trail continues forward. Take the White Trail here. You will descend the hillside and reach Dismal Brook again. This is where you previously turned to begin the Pink Trail. At Dismal Brook, take the White Trail back to the parking area.

GPS Route