For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State–including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves– from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining five historic fire towers, as well as a new sixth fire tower that was opened at the Catskills Visitor Center in the fall of 2019.
My first day at Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) back in June I sat on a couch in front of the bird feeders eating lunch. As I ate and watched the birds I noticed something else out of the corner of my eye. I saw a tiny spec peeking out over St. Regis Mountain’s bare top. It was the St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower, the longest active fire station in the Adirondacks.
Friends of Hurricane will be participating again this year in the annual lighting of the fire towers. This will be the 8th Annual Lighting of the Fire Towers which will include towers in the Adirondacks and the Catskills.
A lantern will light the 102 year old Hurricane tower on Saturday, September 4th from 9 pm until 9:30 pm.
People are invited to hike up and see the lighting at close range or view it from vantage points in Keene, Elizabethtown and areas to the east and near Lake Champlain. The tower is also visible from multiple surrounding smaller peaks.
The event is meant to showcase the history of fire towers around the state. They were erected early in the early 20th century, as fires ravaged hundreds of thousands of square miles of wild forest.
Anyone who is interested in helping with the lighting or has any questions about the lighting can contact Mary Jean Bland at [email protected]
Photo by Mike Lynch/Adirondack Explorer
I revisited Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain last spring, making it at least four ascents I have done of it, thus far, from both the north and south trails. The views of the Lake Champlain region from the summit never fail. Poke-O-Moonshine, located in the Town of Chesterfield in Essex County, just 3/4-mi north of the Town of Lewis
boundary, is a peak on the Fire Tower Challenge and whose east-facing cliffs are popular with rock-climbers.
This write-up is more of a historical “brief” on this peak, as there is a bit more history surrounding it than provided here. For those interested in the history of Poke-O-Moonshine in regards to fire observation and its tower, see Martin Podskoch’s book “Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History and Lore, The Northern Districts” (2003).
Labor Day weekend offers a perfect socially distanced outdoor activity – the annual nighttime lighting of Hurricane Fire Tower.
People are invited to hike up and see the lighting at close range, or view it from afar.
A lantern beacon will shine out from the 101-year-old tower at 9 pm on Saturday, Sept. 5, and can be spotted for miles around.
Hurricane Mountain – visible from many spots in Keene and Elizabethtown, to Lake Champlain and Vermont, as well as surrounding smaller peaks – was a key survey peak for legendary Adirondack surveyor Verplanck Colvin.
Almost 30 years ago, Dana Carvey’s character, “Grumpy Old Man,” was a popular recurring feature of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update.
He’d offer an assessment of current times compared to the so-called “good old days,” highlighting some barbaric practices of the past (exaggerated to great comedic effect) with the closing line, “And we liked it!”
I was reminded of that concept while perusing some shocking guidelines suggested in the early 1900s regarding the enjoyment of a safe Christmas season. Regional newspapers carried a list of suggestions for an enhanced experience … and I liked it! » Continue Reading.
Located in the 17,123-acre Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest is the popular Mount Arab Fire Tower. The Wild Forest also provides easy access to Tupper Lake and Horseshoe Lake for fishing and boating.
The Mount Arab Trail ascends 700 feet to the Mount Arab fire tower and observer’s cabin on the summit of Mount Arab and is 1 mile long, with the first 0.7 miles located on the Conifer Emporium Conservation Easement and the rest on the Wild Forest. » Continue Reading.
A historic exhibit marking the 100th Anniversary of the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower is set to open on Thursday, August 8th, at the Adirondack History Museum.
Festivities begin at 5 pm with a reception featuring a local Hurricane brew from Ledge Hill Brewery, and tours of the new exhibit. » Continue Reading.
In preparation for the centennial of Stillwater Fire Tower, the tower’s friends group is searching for Stillwater Fire Tower Observers, Forest Rangers, and their relatives.
The centennial commemoration will be on Saturday August 24, 2019 beginning at 10 am at the tower. At noon a question and answer session will be held at the trailhead parking area on Big Moose Road. » Continue Reading.
Kane Mountain, located in the Shaker Mountain Wild Forest can be ascended via two routes which can be used to make a loop hike. A fire tower is located on the 2,060-foot summit.
Kane Mountain East Trail is the most direct route, ascending 560 feet and 0.8 mile from the Kane Mountain Trailhead Parking Area to the summit. » Continue Reading.
Bald Mountain (2,350 Feet) is located in the 16,028-acre Fulton Chain Wild Forest, which includes about 20 miles of marked foot trails.
This very popular short hike leads to a long ridge with views and the Rondaxe Fire Tower, which has been restored and can be climbed. » Continue Reading.
Belfry Mountain Fire Tower, part of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest, extends 0.3 mile and climbs 120 feet on a service road to a fire tower on the 1,820-foot summit. This is considered by many the easiest hike to an Adirondack Fire Tower. » Continue Reading.
Snowy Mountain Trail, part of the Jessup River Wild Forest, ascends 2,000 feet and 3.8 miles from the Snowy Mountain Trail Parking Area to the fire tower at the summit, which often has deep snow in winter. Snowshoes and/or micro spikes are recommended on this hike during the winter months. Check current conditions here.
The Fire Tower is a 47-foot tall, restored Aermotor LS-40 tower at 3,897 feet elevation. The trail crosses the West Canada Lake Wilderness and the Township 33 CE. Respect posted signs. » Continue Reading.
Wilcox Lake Wild Forest is located in the southeastern area of the Adirondack Park and is made up of approximately 125,000 acres of Adirondack Forest Preserve lands in Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga and Warren counties.
The DEC managed Wild Forest unit offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking to the fire towers on Hadley Mountain and Spruce Mountain, camping on Wilcox Lake, and ice fishing on Garnet Lake. The area includes 92 miles of marked trails, four lean-tos, 63 primitive campsites, and multiple parking areas. » Continue Reading.
Over the years I have put my canoe into the waters at Low’s Lower Dam (constructed 1907); and paddled the meandering Bog River Flow up to Hitchins Pond.
I have carried around Low’s Upper Dam (built in 1903*), many times. I usually choose to camp on Low’s Lake, so I keep on going. But occasionally a day paddle and a short hike around Hitchins Pond is in order. It’s on these day paddles that I often walk the road (actually the old Maple Valley Railroad bed), as part of the Horse Shoe Forestry Company, constructed by Abbot Augustus “Gus” Low in 1900. If you know where to look, there are “sidings” where A. A. Low’s sugarhouses were located. » Continue Reading.
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