High Mountain Spring Hike

High Mountain Park Preserve,
Preakness Range
North Haledon
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Woodland Trail: Red blaze
Summit Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Mile

Pros: Interesting geology, nice view
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Map of Route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KQs2p2Aqgf5jKcVB6

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was the first week all the trees and greenery started blooming. I had been to High Mountain many years ago from the southern parking area at William Paterson University, and now decided to hike from the northern end at the county line. We climbed up on the Woodland Trail, passing the interesting waterfalls along the jagged basalt rock formation, and then climbed up to the top of High Mountain on the Summit Trail.

High Mountain is the highest point in the Watchung Mountains, and is just shy of 900 feet. The view of the Manhattan Skyline from the viewpoint of High Mountain is spectacular. We continued past the summit and then cut across the valley back to the Woodland Trail, which we took bar our car.

Map of the Route

Sign at the Trailhead 

Small Waterfall Over the Basalt Rock Near the Beginning of the Hike

Early Spring Skunk Cabbage

Trail Intersection

More Blooming Skunk Cabbage

Interesting Tree Route

Rock Pile Along the Trail

Grassy Meadow at the Hight Mountain Summit

Lit Up Star at the High Mountain Summit

View at the High Mountain Summit

Manhattan Skyline from the High Mountain Summit

Air India Flight Clearly Visible from the Summit