FA L L H I K I N G
Mountainside Park
MOUNTAIN AVENUE,
PEQUANNOCK
DIFFICULTY:
MODERATE/ADVANCED
High Mountain Park Reserve
ELIZABETH LARA
100 UNIVERSITY DRIVE, WAYNE
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE/ADVANCED
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES ROUND TRIP
Park on the campus of William Paterson University; there’s a parking lot designated
just for hikers — and even bikers. Yes, bikes are allowed on the trails, but that has its
downside: They make the trails somewhat bumpy and beaten up. Getting the paths back
in tip-top shape is complicated. The park is home to rare and endangered plants and
wildlife (what, specifically, is kept under wraps for protection), and doing too much
maintenance could put them at risk.
The trails are well marked and easy to follow, but you’ll want to bring a map, which
you can find online (waynetownship.com). Start on the Red Trail and take it to the
Yellow Trail, climbing that to the top of High Mountain. At the peak there are views
of Manhattan, the Verrazano Bridge and — wait for it — even a corner of the Atlantic
Ocean. It’s truly breathtaking and instantly makes navigating the rugged terrain
worthwhile. The Red and Yellow Trails form a loop, so you can walk back down
on the Red side for a straight, direct trek back.
38
WAYNE MAGAZINE FALL 2016
If you’re looking for solitude, we
found it; this undiscovered park is
lightly traveled. But that doesn’t
mean it’s neglected. Trails are well
maintained and well marked.
The draw here is a panoramic
view of northern Jersey’s mountaintops and the Manhattan skyline,
but you’ll have to work for it: The
trails are steep and very rocky at
times. Although there’s a site map
posted in the parking lot, you’d be
smart to print one online before
you go (nynjtc.org) to take with
you. (Just note that the Green Trail
on the map no longer exists.)
The Blue Trail is the most direct
route to the top, but it parallels
I-287, and with that comes the
noise of traffic. For a more remote
(read: quieter) hike, start on the
combined Red/Orange Trail and
when it splits, continue on orange.
When you reach the Red Trail
again, take that up the mountain.
This is, perhaps, the most serene
and beautiful part of the walk. Then
turn right to follow the Orange
Trail until you’re just east of Cedar
Crest Village, which you can see
below. From here, climb the White
Trail to the peak. Now this is what
you’ve been working for, right here!
The view to the east is the most
impressive, offering bursts of
color from the mountaintops in
autumn, and, on a clear day, even
a look at the Manhattan skyline.
Sit on the bench to soak it in and
rest your feet before heading back
down on the Yellow Trail. Being
shorter, the Yellow Trail will be a
welcome decline. ■
ANNE-MARIE CARUSO
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY
3 MILES ROUND TRIP