High Mountain Park Preserve is a large park in the Passaic County towns of Wayne and North Haledon. Located on the Second Watchung Mountain, High Mountain is an excellent hiking destination. It is often overlooked despite its features, including an excellent overlook and 11 miles of marked trails. High Mountain is conveniently located near large population centers. These include Paterson and the surrounding suburbs. It is directly next to William Paterson University.
Explore North Jersey Review: A very good park that is often underutilized
High Mountain Park Preserve
Parking:
- Main Parking Area: 100 University Dr, Wayne, NJ 07470
- About 15 parking spaces
- Street Parking on Reservoir Drive: 555 Reservoir Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
- Street parking
- Street Parking on Indian Trail Drive: 596 Indian Trail Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
- Street parking
Location: Wayne and North Haledon, Passaic County
Restrooms: No
Price: No
Activities
Hiking
The park features 11 miles of marked hiking trails, and many more miles of unmarked trails
Mountain Biking
The park features 11 miles of marked trails and many miles of unmarked trails. The unmarked trails are primarily used by mountain bikers.
Points of Interest
- High Mountain Summit and Star Overlook
- Franklin Clove
High Mountain
A trip to the summit of High Mountain is by far the most popular hike in the park. A moderate 4-mile hike takes visitors to the summit, which offers expansive views of New York City and Garret Mountain. At the summit, there is also an illuminated 25-foot star. The star was installed as a symbol of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic.
High Mountain is the highest peak in the Watchung Mountains, rising 879 feet above sea level. The Watchung Mountains are a series of three parallel ridgelines located in the northeastern part of New Jersey. High Mountain is located on the second of these ridgelines, conveniently named the Second Watchung Mountain. Like all the peaks in the Watchung Mountains, High Mountain has a volcanic origin. It was formed as part of a rift valley 200 million years ago.
The trail is the most popular destination in the park. It is rarely crowded. However, you will likely see another hiker or two.
Franklin Clove
Franklin Clove is a little-known destination near the northwestern end of the park. Franklin Clove is a land fault, which created a thin clove (valley) in the mountain. The clove features tall and steep walls, and you can typically feel the temperature drop a degree or two inside.
Franklin Clove is an archaeological site and features many Lenni Lenape artifacts. A natural rock shelter was the site of most of the artifacts, where most (if not all) of the artifacts have been removed.
A small waterfall named Buttermilk Falls is also located directly outside of Franklin Clove.
This area of High Mountain is typically very empty. It does not receive many visitors. This is despite how easy it is to reach from Indian Trail Drive.
Pancake Hollow
In the far northwestern end of the park is an area known as Pancake Hollow. Despite the amusing name, the area is not particularly interesting. Access is from Franklin Clove and is also typically empty.
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