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Reporter |
Summary: ***Note:12/2006 - There have been changes to the trail system since this hike was submitted. So check some of the hiker reviews below before setting out. **** Catch the white trail a few hundred yards from the gate. From there follow the white trail along a flat woods road that passes through a narrow valley and eventually skirts a golf course on the right. Shortly after passing the golf course, make a right onto the red trail and a quick left onto the yellow trail. The trail is a bit more rocky here as it passes along the shoulder of Mt Cecchino and soon begins a fairly steep climb to the top of High Mountain. From here is a great easterly view of Paterson, Garrett Mountain and the NYC skyline. The blazes become infrequent here, so pay attention. Descend the mountain, still on the yellow trail. This section is rocky and can be very slippery when wet, or if leaves are on the trail. Once you reach the bottom of High Mountain, take the yellow trail back to your car. Trailhead: Route 287 to Route 208. Take exit for High Mountain Ave. Stay on High Mountain Ave, through traffic circle and make right on Reservoir Rd (across from reservoir). Follow Reservior Rd to just past circle and there is a gated woods road there. Enter here and catch the whte blazed trail a couple of hundred yards beyond the gate to begin the circuit. (Lat:40.98012 Lon:-74.21282) Trail Guides for High Mountain Preserve Loop: New Jersey Walk Book by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ Trail Conference) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Wayne Township Department of Parks and Recreation, 973-694-1800 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Sniatkowski, who has posted 43 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review EXTREMELY important - my dog ended up with 14 ticks...OUCH and GROSS. Make sure you protect your pet before going. We followed the yellow trail during the 2nd week of Mar 2009. I wish I would have known ahead of time. Otherwise it was a nice & easy hike. If it weren't for the panick that we would be infected with lyme disease I would probably hike this again. Who would have thought a hike even existed in the middle of Wayne Township? Great hike. Took it in early December 2008. Took the red trail from the Willie P parking lot to the yellow. Meant to take the red back after the summit but missed it and took the white back instead. Great hike, though! Next time I will bring a trash bag as there was a lot of litter at high point. Wish we could have finished the hike but ran into a slight dilemma. We started from the circle taking the yellow trail up to the white trail. Passed the golf course and started heading up towards the 'red to yellow' exchange. As we were heading up the incline we noticed something move and stop. While we were standing there watching we saw three dogs, we think wolves, cross the trail. We quickly turned and alertly made our way back to our car. Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone taking this trail to keep your eyes open. As for the part of the trail that we hiked, the foliage was eye catching. There were some parts where the path was very rocky and hard to walk on. It was very well marked and easy to read the trail markers. I've just started exploring this area. Starting with the trail head by Will'm Paterson U (WPU)'s small campus off Valley Rd (not marked, just to left of main bldg). The trails are hardly marked here, but not difficult to figure out. Only yesterday did I start at the WPU's main campus. Did the red trail to yellow trail back to red. Very nice (climb up to summit is a little difficult because of climb on small rocks -- wouldn't like to go down that way). Great views east (esp. NYC). Here is the map of the trail: http://www.waynetownship.com/maps/mountainpark.pdf Warning: There are lots of red markings off the white trail, but they are not the red trail blazes. The red blazes will look like normal blazes; if you are not sure, then it is not a trail blaze. Here's the route taken: Start off at the wooden gate (street parking) with the yellow trail (some 10 yards from the circle). It will lead to the start of the white trail shortly. Follow the white trail to the end (golf course is about the middle of white trail), continue on the red trail (more of less straight from white) for a short distance, and the start of the yellow trail is to the left. The yellow trail will reach the summit with the view, and then continue down to the circle on Reservoir Dr. I can't believe I live walking distance from here and I've only just found this trail. It's not very well documented at all, and, is actually hard to find in hiking books. The trail needs better upkeep, and the markers can be tough to find. Twice, on the return to the parking lot in WPU, i've ended up in North Haledon on the stretch of the yellow trail that exits to the south east. The view from the summit is spectacular! It's a tough climb, but worth it. Overall, it's a 4 out of 5. It's unfortunate that it's not maintained a bit better, but the good thing is so few people know about it, it's not overrun with visitors. Great workout, and amazing view from the top! Lots of loose rocks on the trail that can be a bit difficult due to erosion from dirt bikes. Trails are well marked, but the description in the summary above is a bit off. It says to pick up the red trail after the golf course, just an FYI, the red trail is still a ways away, don't expect to see it right after the golf course. Also, after the peak and the downhill version on the yellow trail, there seems to be something wrong with the markings as the yellow markings disappeared and then the red trail picked up ahead. We started at the circle on Reservoir Drive and came out about a half a mile below at the bottom of the hill. Also read reviews by JJA, Lori, and Mike below. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New Jersey Hiking, New Jersey Trails, New Jersey Hikes, Bergen County Hiking, Bergen County Trails, Bergen County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||