09-May-2011 -- This is a confluence point that has long interested me, as it is the nearest land confluence point to the New York City metropolis, yet is in a rural setting. From satellite imagery, I figured that I could avoid the nearby private homes by starting from the sports field that's just to the southwest of the confluence point, at [40.998612,-74.003857]. When I got there, I thought it would be an easy 1/4 mile hike each way to the confluence point.

What I didn't realize, however, that to reach the confluence point from the southwest, I would need to cross the Hackensack River. Fortunately, I was able to find a downed tree that I was able to (carefully!) use to cross the river, without getting my feet wet. Once I'd crossed the river, it was an easy hike across somewhat boggy terrain to get to the confluence point, which lies among the trees.

I didn't notice the carving in the 'confluence tree' that some previous visitors had noticed. What I did find, however, was a tree house just 70 feet south of the confluence point. This may be new since the last recorded visit to this point (just over 3 years ago). I wonder if the person who built this tree house realized the significance of this location.