From the junction with the red trail that goes up to fire tower, it’s 2¼ very easy miles to your car. SnowDeep snow on the mountains now. Even light snow cover turns Balsam Lake into a glittering winter wonderland. Built of wood by the Balsam Lake Club, it survived until 1901 and was replaced with another wooden tower in 1905. The volunteer program at the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is a part of Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project. Not for the descent. Telephone lines, a small observer's cabin, and a road to the … Balsam Lake Mountain stands as the guardian of western high peaks of the Catskills. Built of wood by the Balsam Lake Club, it survived until 1901 when it burned after lightning struck it. ClosureThe steep eastern side of Platte Clove Road is closed for the season. Your backing makes all the difference. This hike, which involves an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet, is... 4.5 Location: The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead. Here’s how: winter hiking gear. The views from the cabin extend for miles, all around. Somewhere around the 1.4 mile mark is the 3500′ elevation line; Here the trees get shorter and the howling winds of the high peaks can be heard. It is located within the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, which consists of more than 13,500 acres and includes miles of hiking trails, lean-tos for camping, water Balsam Lake Mountain via Beaver Kill Road Loop Hike Balsam Lake Mountain, one of the 35 peaks in the Catskills over 3,500 feet in elevation, is the most westerly of these peaks. If the tower cabin is closed, as it is most of the time, you can still climb the tower; just not all the way. - See 5 traveler reviews, 5 candid photos, and great deals for Livingston Manor, NY, at Tripadvisor. Access to hikers is closed completely during hunting seasons. It’s quite easy to drive past the parking area for Balsam Lake because it’s directly after a curve on Millbrook Rd. ClosureGraham and Doubletop mountains are closed to hikers from Nov 8 to Dec 26. Plan accordingly. The trail winds down the mountain, sometimes steeply, sometimes more easily. When you look back, you’ll see the herd path heading off to the right…. 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. From this angle, it looked incredible. Practice social distancing. Jackie Jones Lookout is located in the Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park (leaves DEC website), Rockland County. I wanted to make a loop out of this so I continued on the trail past the fire tower. The existing 47-foot tower was erected in 1919, closed in 1988 and reopened by the Catskill Fire Tower … House and Skytop Tower The Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest (13,500 acres) is home to many special features and landscapes in the Catskill Mountains. You may hike to the fire tower and back to the DEC parking lot WITHOUT permission. Below this, the trail is very steep. The earlier wooden structure on Balsam Lake Mountain was built in 1887, but was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground in 1901. Total Mileage: 4.5 Miles Directions 42.023901,-74.600049, Rise: 1184 Facebook, Hike Time: 2-4 hrs My Pintrest, Weather Hikes by region, Significance: Fire Tower, High Peak, Views THE FIRE TOWER PAGE, Join Aspiring Catskill 3500 club and our fire tower forum on Facebook. One of six fire towers inside Catskill Park, the Balsam Lake Mountain tower stands tall at an elevation of 3,723 feet. I hung out here for a few minutes — it’s extremely peaceful — then headed back to the main trail. View from Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower. Advance permission is needed to climb Graham and Doubletop mountains. The restored fire tower offers views of the Pepacton Reservoir. 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The brook downhill to your right is Black Brook. People. Near the top is a lean-to and a spring making this a great place to spend a night. The blazes are now red and you are on your way up towards the tower. 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. Balsam Lake Mountain is the 17th-highest peak in the Catskills, reaching 3,731 feet in elevation. Cabin in the forest that surrounds Balsam Lake’s summit. They’d be to the left of the above photo, out of frame. Coming down the south side of the mountain, I lost coverage more frequently. For permission call (845) 586-4099, Monday-Friday during business hours. It has a relatively remote location, but was the site of the first wooden fire tower in New York state erected by the Balsam Lake Club in 1887. The large mountain in the foreground is Graham. This is the summit. Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest: Visit the fire tower! From the tower, if you look down at the picnic table, you’ll see it clearly. The trail from Millbrook Rd. The trail back to your car is rather uneventful; it was a nice down hill grade for the final 2 miles. Yes, I have Head back toward the observer’s cabin and downhill to the junction. After about 0.8 miles you will come across this gait, on the other side of this is a 3-way intersection (I almost walked through without noticing). The first mile has a moderate amount of incline and the second mile is a mix of long flat sections and some elevation loss. BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN – TOWN OF HARDENBURGH – ELEVATION 3723′ History: The first fire tower on the top of a mountain in New York State was placed at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain in 1887. Summit of Balsam Lake Mtn - Fire Tower - Ranger Station : 3.58: 3,343’ Trail Junction : 5.80: 2,584’ DEC Parking Lot. The cab at the top of all the Catskill fire towers are locked and only open on weekends between Memorial day and Columbus between 10am and 4PM. You may hike to the fire tower and back to the DEC parking lot WITHOUT permission. I remember seeing Balsam Lake’s fire tower from Graham’s summit the last time I was up there. Hike early and carry a headlamp. Trees. After visiting the fire tower we’ll descend 1.75 miles to the Balsam Lake parking area. Head directly to your right, along the red-blazed trail. The steepest sections were on the trail back to my car, this part of the trail was an easy gradual climb. Don’t be a posthole. Sunset Apx: 4:25pm.Daylight hours are short. I took my shots and scurried down the tower. You cannot get permission to hike Graham Mountain during hunting season. The smell of the balsam firs is very pleasing. Winter hikes to the tower are absolutely spectacular. The blazing is pretty good. There are several steep/flat switches. Keep an eye on your preferred weather service. Built of wood by the Balsam Lake Club, it survived until 1901 and was replaced with another wooden tower … It’s just a mile back to the junction with the red trail which you took up to the summit. The first 0.9 miles is relatively smooth and only climbs about 360′ in elevation. The southern ridge is steep, which is what males this hike "moderate" rather than "easy". The first forest fire tower in New York State was erected on Balsam Lake Mountain in 1887. The wooden tower was replaced with a steel one that was operated from 1919-1988. English: Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower, Hardenburgh, NY, USA. Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower. We hope many will come and contribute memories of Balsam Lake Fire Tower … Be sure you are following the blue blazes. Modern fire towers are steel structures bolted into solid rock, but older versions were made of wood. Ice AlertPreciptiation and deep freezes at all elevations means ice is everywhere. 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