New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge to highlight the region’s world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities. [Read more…] about 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
Fire Towers
The Old Trail: A Lyon Mountain History
Many years ago, a new trail replaced the old trail on Lyon Mountain in the town of Dannemora in Clinton County, NY, which had degraded with sections ranging from grassy to rocky to bouldery to muddy to extremely steep, muddy, and slippery.
It was a mess compared to paths built by modern trail crews. In 2006, ADK’s Algonquin Chapter completed the plans for a new trail, which was built in the summer of 2008. [Read more…] about The Old Trail: A Lyon Mountain History
Recreation Highlight: Lyon Mountain Fire Tower
With a rich history of mining, Lyon Mountain is a towering peak in the Chazy Highlands Wild Forest in Clinton County, NY.
The mining started in the 1860s and continued until 1967. It produced some of the purest iron ore in the world, and some of that ore was even used to build the Golden Gate Bridge. [Read more…] about Recreation Highlight: Lyon Mountain Fire Tower
Peter Bauer: It’s Time For A Cathead Mountain Amendment
Hamilton County has been trying to expand its emergency communications network for years. The county has dead spots for not only cell service but for its emergency communications system too, especially in the southern part of the county.
The only viable option for the county, given the widely and most commonly used emergency communications equipment in New York State, is to expand its network of line-of-sight towers powered through utility lines, with emergency backups, and are accessible by motor vehicle for servicing. The south end of Hamilton County has limited police and EMT communications service. [Read more…] about Peter Bauer: It’s Time For A Cathead Mountain Amendment
Central NY’s Berry Hill Fire Tower is Now Open to Visitors
Berry Hill fire tower in the town of McDonough, Chenango County, is open for recreation after the completion of interior and exterior upgrades to enhance safety and accessibility. Berry Hill is the only fire tower on public lands in Central New York open to the public, and at an elevation of 1,960 feet, is one of the highest points in Chenango County.
Off-road parking is available for approximately eight vehicles at the base of the fire tower’s driveway. The driveway is about 1,000 feet long and open for pedestrian access with a moderate uphill climb. Through an agreement with DEC, the New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association will provide volunteer stewardship services at Berry Hill. Volunteers will help maintain the facility and provide educational information to visitors. On days when a steward is on site, motor vehicle access to the upper parking area may be permitted. [Read more…] about Central NY’s Berry Hill Fire Tower is Now Open to Visitors
2022 Catskills Fire Tower Hiking Challenge Getting Underway
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
Starting January 1st, 2022, visitors are challenged to hike each of the six historic fire towers in the Catskill Park and submit information about their visit at any time during the year to earn recognition and prizes. [Read more…] about 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Hiking Challenge Getting Underway
Hamilton County’s Tower Plans For Cathead Mountain
This is the fourth article in a series that looks at three possible constitutional amendments to Article 14, Section 1 that are being debated in 2020.
This article looks at the issue of utilizing Forest Preserve lands around Cathead Mountain, in the south edge of the Silver Lake Wilderness area, in the Adirondack Park in Hamilton County, to locate a new emergency communications tower, similar to such towers on Blue Mountain and East Mountain. [Read more…] about Hamilton County’s Tower Plans For Cathead Mountain
More DEC Campgrounds Opening July 1
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that additional DEC campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill parks will open on July 1 to existing reservation holders for the 2020 season.
DEC has temporarily stopped issuing permits for backcountry camping for groups of 10 or more. As of June 11, DEC resumed issuing permits for groups of fewer than 10 people who would like to stay for more than three nights at one location on state lands. DEC is also temporarily restricting lean-to use to members of a single household at a time.
DEC-controlled fire towers (with the exception of Sugar Hill) are also reopened to visitors.
William Fox Helped Create Modern NYS Forest Rangers
William F. Fox was born in 1840 in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, and graduated from Union College in Schenectady in 1860. He served in the Civil War as Captain, Major and then Lieutenant Colonel in the 107th New York Volunteers and later wrote a number of books on both the Civil War and forestry.
Fox’s 1902 History of the Lumber Industry in the State of New York, written under the auspicious of Gifford Pinchot, is considered among the first authoritative works on the logging industry in New York. [Read more…] about William Fox Helped Create Modern NYS Forest Rangers