Best Hikes: Balsam Lake Mountain and a Catskill Fire Tower
Balsam Lake Mountain stands as the guardian of western high peaks of the Catskills. From the restored fire tower on its summit, you can see the jumble of the Catskills highest peaks to the north, east, and southeast. To the west are the lower mountains of the western Catskills. This is one of the several fire towers that have been erected on the peak. The first two were crude wooden structures put up by the…
Catskill Fire Tower Hikes & Challenge
Hiking in the Catskills is challenging and fun!. Add some fire tower steps and this boosts the experience. Every now and then climbing a fire tower is as exhilarating as the hike itself. As one starts up the wide stairway at the tower base well below the canopy the ascent quickly becomes more narrow and the treetops get closer. As the visitor ascends near or above the canopy fantastic views begin to show and the…