Public parking and access to High Mountain's extensive trail system are provided by Parking Lot #6 at William Paterson University on College Road about a mile from Hamburg Turnpike. Park at the top tier of the lot and cross College Road to the beginning of the Red Trail (three red blazes on the guardrail).

The summit of High Mountain can be reached by following the Red Trail to the Yellow Trail. From the summit, continue on the Yellow Trail until it turns south back to the Red Trail that returns to the parking lot for a nice circular hike. The Preserve features many miles of scenic and interesting trails. While visiting please stay on the blazed trails and help us protect the plants and wildlife.

The Preserve is open from dawn to dusk for passive recreation. Camping, hunting, trapping, and fishing are not permitted in the Preserve. Groups and organizations seeking to use High Mountain for nature walks, clean-ups, trail improvements or other group activities must register and obtain permits from the Wayne Township Department of Parks and Recreation, 1(973) 694-1800 ext. 3260.

Wayne Park's Trails Are A Secret Treasure

Date: Friday, August 22 @ 01:55:42 PDT

Topic: Trails

Three miles from the center of Paterson and sandwiched in the center of North Jersey's sprawl is a vast preserve, diverse in flora and fauna with a sweeping view of the region. Its hiking trails are open to anyone.

Welcome to High Mountain Park in Wayne, a place for peaceful hikes to the tune of 124 species of birds. It is a well-kept secret, something that park managers would like to correct.

"If I meet someone from Wayne, I'll ask them if they've been to High Mountain Park. They don't even know it's there. There's never been any publicity about it," said Bob Busha, trail supervisor. "Wayne Township spent $9 million to buy it, and the people who live there and pay taxes don't even know where it is."

Parking Lot 6 at William Paterson University is a hiker's starting point.

In the corner of the lot, a sign marked "Red Trail" points the way to the start of the path. Go up to the road and cross where another green wooden sign indicates the beginning of High Mountain Park. Trail markers are also painted on the guardrail

along the road. One red square on top of two red squares tells hikers that this is the beginning of the red trail.

Once on the trail, the sounds of birds and crickets blend with the traffic along College Road, but don't worry. Another few feet into the forest and any trace of traffic fades away. In fact, all signs of suburbia disappear.

After walking for about 15 minutes, there's a rustling noise and movement off in the distance - a deer bounding away through the trees. Though well hidden, 124 species of birds have been catalogued, including hawks, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers.

High Mountain also boasts a diversity of plants. Hikers who look carefully might be surprised by the variety, Busha said. Bright orange mushrooms, wild rosebushes, lady's slipper orchids, and prickly pear cactus, which normally grow in the desert, are among the unusual flora.

"There are 10 or 12 types of grass that grow up on top of the mountain," Busha said. As he walked, a tree caught his eye. "You see what this is?" he said, stopping to handle the tree's three-pronged leaves. "It's sassafras."

Continuing up the mountain, turn right where the red trail and yellow trail meet. Soon you'll cross a little stream bridged by a bunch of rocks. Keep an eye out for the different plants and wildlife, but remember to keep an eye on the trail markers painted along the trees. With all its twists and turns, it can be easy to wander off and get lost.

Soon the path leads to a section of trail lined with loose rocks leading straight up a steep incline. It looks like a difficult climb, and it is. But once at the top of the trail, hikers are rewarded with a surprise.

As the trail leads up to the top of the mountain, which has a maximum elevation of 885 feet, tall trees become more scarce, letting in light that allows the growth of colorful yellow and purple wildflowers. Brown crickets hop out of the way, clearing a path for oncoming hikers, and hawks circle the mountain.

Finally, the trail opens into a clearing that reveals a view of North Jersey, Manhattan, and Brooklyn that makes the long walk worthwhile. On a clear day, landmarks are visible: the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the George Washington Bridge. Turn to the south to look down on Garret Mountain.

The hike may be downhill from here, but that's no reason to relax. A steep downward slope and loose rocks mean hikers must be careful not to lose their footing.

The park - also owned by the state and The Nature Conservancy - lies on Preakness Mountain, formed by lava flows during prehistoric periods. Most of the park is in Wayne, but parts are in North Haledon.

To get there, take Route 80 to Route 23 north. Get off at Alps Road and follow it until you reach Ratzer Road. Make a right. When you reach Hamburg Turnpike, turn left and pass St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital. Make a right onto College Road into William Paterson University. Go to the top tier of Parking Lot 6 and look for the white "P" painted in the back of the lot. That's the area designated for trail parking.

By Robert Ratish

Bergen Record - 8/15/2003