I hung out here for a few minutes — it’s extremely peaceful — then headed back to the main trail. I also tried to find the scenic view, and visited a lean-to. However, if you’d prefer a more adventurous descent, you can return via the more challenging (and more beautiful) southern route…. After a short hike I reached the fire tower (mile 13.8- 10:46 am). All about Balsam Lake Mountain. The volunteer program at the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is a part of Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project. Centennial patches are still available at Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor, for a limited time, go grab one! All Original Content © 2018-2020. In these conditions, even with an inch or two of snow on the ground, I’d been able to bare-boot my way to the summit. When you are finished taking in the view, continue on the red trail as it heads east from the summit. The trail head starts from the upper parking lot at the far end. New York is currently open for dining, but there are restrictions. Jackie Jones Lookout is located in the Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park (leaves DEC website), Rockland County. This is the summit. The volunteer program at the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is a part of Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project. ClosureThe steep eastern side of Platte Clove Road is closed for the season. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -1°C on Tue night, min -6°C on Tue afternoon). You lose some elevation, and there’s an intense switchback which you can see on my Gaia track. House and Skytop Tower The brook downhill to your right is Black Brook. General information on hikingincludes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations. Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is on public land. It winds up through the balsam forest, of course. Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower, open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, is the first forest fire tower in New York State and was erected on Balsam Lake Mountain (elevation 3,723 ft.) in 1887. Check ahead to make sure your favorite place is open at the time you need. This hike is listed as difficult because of its length (13 miles), the unpredictable nature of the bushwhack to Cradle Rock Ridge, and the steep terrain descending from Balsam Lake Mountain. The blazes will continue to be red as you take what feels like a more gradual route to the bottom. I took my shots and scurried down the tower. Coming down the south side of the mountain, I lost coverage more frequently. If the tower cabin is closed, as it is most of the time, you can still climb the tower; just not all the way. After visiting the fire tower we’ll descend 1.75 miles to the Balsam Lake parking area. Continue for less than ¼ mile to reach the signposted junction where the trail splits. There will be numerous displays including information on the history of the tower, the Observers who served there, its restoration, the flora and fauna in the area, and a salute to the volunteers who have been caring for the tower. BUT, if you hike Graham Mountain, you WILL need permission. These towers can are a part of the larger Adirondack fire tower challenge; below are the others we have hiked in that challenge. More than 22 miles of trails traverse the area, including a portion of the 575-mile Finger Lakes Trail(leaves DEC website). Turn right to get back to your car. Summit of Balsam Lake Mtn - Fire Tower - Ranger Station : 3.58: 3,343’ Trail Junction : 5.80: 2,584’ DEC Parking Lot. If you do this hike, let me know how it goes for you in the comments below…. Winter Mountain Hiking Gear: How to Survive & Thrive in the Catskills Cold, Catskill 3500 High Peaks List | Ultimate Peakbagging Guide. There are no tough sections on the way to the summit of Balsam Lake. Winter hikes to the tower are absolutely spectacular. The trailhead is actually down the street. Hike early and carry a headlamp. The existing 47-foot tower was erected in 1919, closed in 1988 and reopened by the Catskill Fire Tower … Keep an eye on your GPS and turn around when Avenza or Gaia shows that you’re just a little way past the junction. The fire tower, here, is one of the true gems of the Catskill Park. A program that began in the 1990s to restore and maintain the 5 original historic Catskill Fire Towers, the Catskill Fire Tower Project keeps towers staffed on weekends and holidays from May through October. This part of the trail is rocky and more steep; over the next 0.9 miles you will gain about 860′ in elevation. September 2008: Quelle: Eigenes Werk: Urheber: Daniel Case: Genehmigung (Weiternutzung dieser Datei) Ich, der Urheberrechtsinhaber dieses Werkes, veröffentliche es hiermit unter der folgenden Lizenz: Diese Datei ist unter der Creative-Commons-Lizenz „Namensnennung – Weitergabe unter gleichen Bedingungen 3.0 … It’s very pleasant. They’d be to the left of the above photo, out of frame. 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