Fire Tower Challenge New York

June 19, 2020

If you are familiar with the Adirondack mountain range, you’ll know that, there are many hiking challenges within these mountains. A great one to start out with is the Fire Tower Challenge. This challenge is a great warm up to the epic 46er Challenge. This challenge has beginner, moderate, and difficult trails that will slowly turn you into a great hiker. Below are a list of all the mountains apart of this challenge, then I have a list of the recommended order of hiking these peaks, and lastly I have information at the end of this post on how to obtain your fire tower challenge patch.

Adirondack Fire Towers

  1. Mount Adams: This is the first fire tower on our list, and is short, but a steep trail. Mound Adams is a total of 4.9 miles, and is located in Newcomb, New York, and has no dirt or unpaved roads you have to access to get to. Here are the directions for this climb.
  2. Mount Arab: Is a very nice beginner trail, being only a total of 1.9 miles, with some good uphill parts at the end. However, to drive here, you will have to encounter some dirt roads, thus be prepared for that. Mount Arab is located in Tupper Lake, New York. Again, exact directions can be found here.
  3. Azure Mountain: Again, is a nice beginner trail, being a total of 1.8 miles, with some good inclines near the summit. This trail also, has dirt roads to pass through when driving here, and is located in Saint Regis Falls, New York. And here is the link to where directions can be found.
  4. Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain: Is another great beginner trail, it is a total of 2 miles, located in Old Forge, New York. There are no dirt roads you have to drive through to get here. And here is a link to the directions.
  5. Belfry Mountain: Is a very easy trail, being only .6 of a mile round trip, and is located in Witherbee, New York. There are no dirt roads you have to access either to get here. You can find the directions here.
  6. Black Mountain: This is one of my favorite and first hikes, I ever accomplished. I feel it offers the best view of Lake George, and it is located in Clemons, New York. There are no dirt roads you have to access for this hike, just a lot of walking when you get there! This hike is a total of 7.7 miles, but just the end is really uphill and difficult, the rest is very manageable. The directions can be found here.
  7. Blue Mountain: What a hike! This hike has an INTENSE uphill battle! From the start, all the way up, it is UP, for 2.5 miles. Now, I know for you seasoned pros, this is nothing, but for you beginner hikers, just beware of this. As always, though, the view is COMPLETELY worth it! This trail is located in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, and has no dirt roads you have to drive on. It is also apart of the 4 3 2 1 challenge. And here are the directions for this incredibly insane hike.
  8. Cathedral Rock: Is an easy trail, located in Star Lake, New York, and is a total of 2 miles, roundtrip. Be aware, there are dirt and unpaved roads you will have to drive onto, to get here. As always, the directions can be found via this link.
  9. Goodnow Mountain: Is a nice 4 mile, roundtrip mountain. This is a great mountain if you are just getting into hiking. It is located in Newcomb, New York, and has no dirt roads you have to travel on to get to. Also, there are not many trail markers on this hike, but what looks like the trail, is the trail, so you will be fine! Also, to get the full view, I would recommend going up the fire tower! And here are the directions.
  10. Gore Mountain: Now, usually I go to this mountain for skiing, but I have also heard it is just as gorgeous in the summer time. There are no dirt roads you will have to encounter here, and Gore Mountain is located in North Creek, New York. Here are the directions. Also, this trail is uphill the entire way, and it is a total of 9.3 miles roundtrip, thus be prepared!
  11. Hadley Mountain: This is a great mountain for intermediate hikers. It has a nice incline and a beautiful rock summit at the top, with a view of mountains for days. It is a total of 3.5 miles, and of course has a fire tower at the top. However, you do not need to go up the fire tower to see the view, but of course it is better if you do! Directions for this trail can be found via this link. P.S. this does have dirt and one way roads to drive through!
  12. Hurricane Mountain: Is ranked as a moderate trail, and is located near Keene, New York. This trail does not include any dirt or unpaved roads to access (if you go by the Southern approach, NOT the same for the Northern approach). It is a total of 6.6 miles. Here are the directions.
  13. Kane Mountain: Is located in Caroga, New York, and is a total of 1.5 miles. There are no dirt roads you will encounter driving there, and here are the directions.
  14. Loon Lake Mountain: Is located near Vermontville, New York, and is a total of 5.8 miles roundtrip. Also, it is rated as a hard hike. And here are the directions.
  15. Lyon Mountain: Is located in Lyon Mountain, New York, and is rated as a moderate trail, but is a longer hike. It is a total of 7.1 miles, and has no dirt roads to access this trail. The directions can be found from this link.
  16. Owls Head Mountain: Is located in Long Lake, New York, and is a beautiful hike! It is a total of 6.3 miles, with no dirt roads. Here are the directions.
  17. Pillsbury Mountain: This mountain is also apart of the 4 3 2 1 Challenge, if you choose, you can choose other trails as well. It is a total of 3.1 miles roundtrip, if you choose to drive the one way dirt, rough road. If not, it adds another 2 miles, give or take to your trip. Directions can be found here.
  18. Poke-o-Moonshine Mountain: Is an intermediate trail, located near Keeseville, New York. It is a total of 2.7 miles, and is located via this link. P.S. no dirt roads!
  19. Snowy Mountain: Oh, Snowy Mountain! I really enjoyed this hike, however when I went, there were SO MANY BUGS! It was disgusting, but my friend and I made it. This hike is also apart of the 4 3 2 1 challenge. I would recommend if you’re hiking any place in June to early August to wear a head net mask, to protect your face from the bugs, and to avoid MASSIVE bites on the back of your neck, like my friend and I now have. It is a total of 7.1 miles, and has VERY steep climbs at the end, thus be prepared for that. Anyways, here is a link to a head net. Lastly, here are the directions, also, no dirt roads.
  20. Spruce Mountain: This is a great beginner hike, if you are just starting out! It has a good incline, with not too much distance. It is a total of 3.1 miles, and very easy to get too! Here are the directions.
  21. Stillwater Mountain: Is located in Eagle Bay, New York, and is an easier trail, being 1.9 miles road trip. This will include some dirt roads to get to, and here is a link, where you can find the directions.
  22. St. Regis Mountain: Is located in Saint Regis Falls, New York, and is a total of 6.2 miles. It does not encounter any dirt or unpaved roads for your drive there. You can find the directions here.
  23. Vanderwhacker Mountain: Is located in Minerva, New York, and is another mountain, I can’t wait to hike! It is a total of 6.1 miles, with some good inclines, and does involve any dirt roads to get to. Directions can be found, here.
  24. Wakely Mountain: Is located in Sabael, New York, and is a total of 5.7 miles road trip. And does include dirt roads to drive on, here are the directions.
  25. Woodhull Mountain: Last but not least, is Woodhull Mountain! This hike is located near Old Forge, New York, and is NO joke. It is a total of 14.4 miles, and does include dirt roads. Here are the directions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xib1S44ANxM&t=172s
Some Footage of Snow Mountain

Catskills Fire Towers

  1. Balsam Lake Mountain: This is a 4.3 round trip hike. It is located near Livingston Manor, New York. It has an elevation gain of 1,181ft, so it has a decent elevation gain, pretty comparable to Blue Mountain Fire Tower (a little smaller).
  2. Hunter Mountain: Is also a ski mountain, like Gore mountain in the winter season. Gore DOES NOT allow hikers on ski trails (hiking trail goes through), I’m not sure about Hunter, but I would do some research before hiking Hunter, if you plan on hiking it in the winter. Hunter is 4.7 miles total, with an elevation gain of 2,240ft, which is a LOT.
  3. Overlook Mountain: Is one of the most popular trails within the Catskills. It is a total of 4.3 miles with an elevation gain of 4.6 miles, located near Woodstock, New York. I recommend getting lunch in Woodstock, if you have the time, it is a cute little town.
  4. Red Hill: Is about 3.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,020ft, located near Grahamsville, New York.
  5. Tremper Mountain: Is about 5.9 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,027ft located near Phoenicia, New York.

Recommended Order

The list below is a suggested order to hike the mountains in. They start from easiest, then go into the most difficult mountains apart of this challenge.

  1. Belfry Mountain
  2. Kane Mountain
  3. Mount Arab
  4. Azure Mountain
  5. Bald Mountain
  6. Cathedral Rock
  7. Stillwater Mountain
  8. Poke-O-Moonshine
  9. Spruce Mountain
  10. Red Hill (Catskills)
  11. Hadley
  12. Goodnow
  13. Overlook Mountain (Catskills)
  14. Black
  15. Balsam Lake Mountain (Catskills)
  16. Blue
  17. Pillsbury
  18. Loon Lake Mountain
  19. Hunter Mountain (Catskills)
  20. Mount Adams
  21. Wakely
  22. Mount Tremper (Catskills)
  23. St. Regis
  24. Owls Head
  25. Gore Mountain
  26. Hurricane
  27. Vanderwhacker
  28. Lyons Mountain
  29. Woodhull Mountain
  30. Snowy Mountain (Woodhull is actually the most difficult, but I like to end on good mountains, which is way I put Snowy last instead of Woodhull)

To obtain your Fire Tower Patch, you will hike at least 23 of the fire towers listed. Also, record the date you hiked them with their ascents. Each mountain should have a standing fire tower on the day you hike. It is not required but recommended to write your thoughts of the fire towers on a separate sheet of paper, basically saying what you liked or disliked about the hike, and anything that stood out to you. Also, circle the hike you finish on. Send your list with recordings, along with your name, postal address, email, $5 per patch, and $3 per rocker (if you are a first time finisher), to ADK Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter, and to Adirondack Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge. ADK Glens Falls-Saratoga, PO Box 2314, Glens Falls, NY 12801. Both the patch and rocker are free if you are 15 years old or younger. The club says to allow 4-6 weeks for processing before you receive your patch. You can find more information about how to obtain your patch, here.

New Hampshire & Vermont Fire Tower Challenges

New Hampshire, like New York, has a fire tower challenge you can complete as well. Here is more information about the New Hampshire challenge, the trails and how to become a NH Fire Tower finisher. There is also a Vermont version of the challenge, which you can find more about here. Maine also, has some fire towers, but I’m not sure it’s considered a challenge. Anyways, here are the towers within Maine.

And that wraps up our info about the fire towers within New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Thank you so much for reading, especially if you made it all the way through, I know this was a lot. But I hope you hike some of these trails, and witness some breathtaking views, thanks again!

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