Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower
By Julia Reischel on Thursday, Sep. 4, 2014 - 1:23 pm
This Saturday, experienced hikers from both sides of Balsam Lake Mountain in the remote town of Hardenburgh will lead hikes to the site of the oldest fire tower in the Catskills. A wooden fire tower at the summit was originally installed in 1887 to... Read more
By Julia Reischel on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 - 4:56 pm
There's no weekend like this weekend to hike up a Catskills fire tower. Not only can you earn one of our coveted Catskill Fire Towers badges if you do (see details here or below), but you'll also get a rare treat: the sight of a fire tower cab glowing... Read more
By Lisa Lyons on Saturday, May. 24, 2014 - 10:40 am
Once upon a time, 23 steel fire towers dotted the high peaks of the Catskills. They were staffed by fire tower observers, who scanned the horizon for smoke and filled their downtime with shimmying up the steep steel struts, taming bears and sharing space... Read more
By Julia Reischel on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 - 12:55 pm
Columbus Day weekend is the traditional end of the high season in the Catskills, and it's the end of our Catskill Fire Towers badge season as well. So get outside, enjoy the glorious weather, and earn your badge. If you need a few ideas for outdoor... Read more
By Julia Reischel on Monday, Jul. 22, 2013 - 4:41 pm
Above: Mike Pietrantoni and daughter Payton Pietrantoni next to the alidade map in the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower. Photo via Laurie Rankin, the volunteer coordinator for the fire tower.
This weekend, the volunteers who staff the system of historic... Read more
