Catskill Day Hikes - Fire Tower Series
Overlook Mountain Elevation 3,140 feet - the red-marked Overlook Spur Trail from Meads Mountain Road, just outside of downtown Woodstock — a moderate, six-mile, round-trip hike. 360-degree views at the summit with a 60ft. fire tower.
Trempor Mountain - Elevation 2,740 feet
1,900 feet ascent on a 6-mile out-and-back that ends with panoramic views (Rattlesnakes)
Hunter—Elevation 4,040 feet
Take the Spruceton Trail marked with blue disks, from Greene County Route 6 (Spruceton Hollow Road) in the hamlet of Spruceton. A seven-mile moderately-difficult round trip hike.
This one is a little more of a workout, but if you're up for the challenge, the views are a great reward. It is a steep approach to Hunter Mountain, coming it at 2,200 feet of elevation gain in the short hike to the top, but you'll also only be hiking 5.5 miles round trip. The 60ft tall Hunter Mountain Fire Tower sits at just over 4,000 feet, so your views will be totally unobstructed in clear weather.
Nearby overnight options if you extend the trip to other objectives, such as the Colonel's Chairlift.
Red Hill Fire Tower Elevation 2,990 feet
Follow the yellow-marked Red Hill Tower Trail from Coons Road (formerly Dinch Road) just outside of Claryville—a moderate, three-mile, round-trip hike to another 60ft Catskill fire tower.
Balsam Lake Mountain - Elevation 3,723 feet
If the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower sounds a little daunting, the Balsam Lake Fire Tower may be a wise alternative. At 6 miles, the Dry Brook Ridge Trail is a slightly longer walk, but the 1,100 feet of elevation gain is only half what you'll face to surmount Hunter. And the views from the fire tower are equally majestic!
Trempor Mountain - Elevation 2,740 feet
1,900 feet ascent on a 6-mile out-and-back that ends with panoramic views (Rattlesnakes)
Hunter—Elevation 4,040 feet
Take the Spruceton Trail marked with blue disks, from Greene County Route 6 (Spruceton Hollow Road) in the hamlet of Spruceton. A seven-mile moderately-difficult round trip hike.
This one is a little more of a workout, but if you're up for the challenge, the views are a great reward. It is a steep approach to Hunter Mountain, coming it at 2,200 feet of elevation gain in the short hike to the top, but you'll also only be hiking 5.5 miles round trip. The 60ft tall Hunter Mountain Fire Tower sits at just over 4,000 feet, so your views will be totally unobstructed in clear weather.
Nearby overnight options if you extend the trip to other objectives, such as the Colonel's Chairlift.
Red Hill Fire Tower Elevation 2,990 feet
Follow the yellow-marked Red Hill Tower Trail from Coons Road (formerly Dinch Road) just outside of Claryville—a moderate, three-mile, round-trip hike to another 60ft Catskill fire tower.
Balsam Lake Mountain - Elevation 3,723 feet
If the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower sounds a little daunting, the Balsam Lake Fire Tower may be a wise alternative. At 6 miles, the Dry Brook Ridge Trail is a slightly longer walk, but the 1,100 feet of elevation gain is only half what you'll face to surmount Hunter. And the views from the fire tower are equally majestic!
