Adirondack Fire Tower Mountains

St. Regis Mtn. 180 degree panorama

Links on the chart to topo maps by

Being on a mountaintop with a view is perhaps better than taking a scenic plane ride. From a fixed perch you can concentrate on what you're seeing and you can better feel the vastness and quiteness of the forest. And besides a breathless view you have a breathless hike.

Fire towers add a sense of human history to the mountain. Someone really lived out here and hiked up here every day? Seems amazing. Of course towers can also give great views and something more - a fear of heights, anyone? Test yourself by climbing Wakely Mtn. - at the eighth level you're about 80 feet up. If there's a breeze, you'll remember it.

Having hiked a few, I got curious about the rest, so here you have a list of 60 Adirondack Fire Tower Mountains. Three towers are just outside the park. I count thirty three towers still standing and maybe 15 of them safe enough to climb. But even where the towers have been removed or disabled, it is still a rewarding hike. I've been to 51 of these sites so far.

The list started with "The Recreational Map of the Adirondacks", hand drawn by Walter Bruhns in 1979. Then many were found listed in the standard trail guides - for example 19 are in Barbara McMartin's "50 Hikes in the Adirondacks" (third edition just out, highly recommended). Her Discover Series and the ADK trail and canoe guides were also used as references. But many changes have occured in the past decade, so current information is solicited.

The Chart

If you print this page, the table will come out best in landscape orientation.

Caution! The topo maps often do not show the current or most recent trail, or whether the summit is accessable at all now or on private land.
Adirondack Fire Tower Mountains

Name Ht. ' mi. Ascent ' County Trailhead Access Codes Reference Map link

Lyon 3800 2.2 1920 Clinton Chazy Lake Rd. near NY 374 T,P+,V3 AN,J,F topo map

Palmer Hill 1146 .4 100 Clinton ~2 mi N of Au Sable Forks T,P,V2 topo map

Adams 3584 2.4 1800 Essex Tahawus Rd, off Rte 28N T,V4 AHP,F topo map

Belfry 1820 0.4 120 Essex Co. Rd 70, just N of Witherbee T,V4 AE,F,B topo map

Boreas 3776 4.5 2076 Essex Elk Lake Rd, 6 mi NE N. Hudson P M,AHP topo map

Goodnow 2685 1.9 1050 Essex Rte 28N, 11.4 mi E of Long Lake T,P+,V4 M,B topo map

Hurricane 3694 2.6 2000 Essex Rte 9N, 3.6 mi E Rte 73 T,SP,V4 AHP,B topo map

Makomis 1662 1.1 580 Essex Tracy Rd, .3 mi from US 9 & I-87 P,V3 AE topo map

Pharaoh 2557 2.8 1257 Essex Crane Pond Rd, 4 mi ESE Schroon Lake SW,V3 M,AE,F topo map

Poke-O-Moonshine 2170 1.2 1280 Essex Poke-O-Moonshine Campground, Rte 9 T,SF,V4 M,AE,B,N topo map

Vanderwhacker 3386 2.9 1700 Essex Moose Pond Rd, off 28N T,SF,V4 M,AC topo map

Whiteface 4872 5.2 3620 Essex Whiteface Mtn Hwy or trail fr L Placid C,D,SI,V4 AHP topo map

Ampersand 3965 2.8 1790 Franklin Rte 3, btwn Tupper L. & Saranac L SW,V4 M,AN,J,F topo map

Azure 2518 1.0 1000 Franklin Blue Mtn Rd, 15 mi NE Paul Smiths T,SF,V3 AN,J,F topo map

Debar 3305 3.7 1600 Franklin Rte 30 at Meacham Lake Campground SF,V3 M,AN,F topo map

Loon Lake 3355 Franklin Co Rt 99 [5 mi SE of Debar Mt] T,P topo map

Meenahga 2092 0.5 422 Franklin bushwack N side of Rainbow Lake T,P,X topo map

Mount Morris 3163 1.5 Franklin Rte 30 at Big Tupper Ski Area T,P,X J,AN topo map

St Regis 2882 3.4 1250 Franklin Keese Mills Rd, 2 mi W Paul Smiths T,SC,V4 M,AN,J,N topo map

Kane 2180 0.9 570 Fulton E or S trail, near inters Rts 10 & 29A T.SF,V4 AS,B,F,N topo map

Blue 3759 2.5 1560 Hamilton Rte. 30, in Blue Mtn. Lake T,P+,V4 M,AC,N topo map

Buck 2440 Hamilton T,P,X S topo map

Cathead 2423 1.4 1100 Hamilton Northville-L Placid Trail Rd. T,P,X,V3 M,AS,B topo map

Hamilton 3250 Hamilton ~5 mi SE Lake Pleasant SW,X topo map

Kempshall 3360 2.0 1700 Hamilton Northville-L Placid Trail N of Long Lake SW,V0 F topo map

Owl's Head 2748 3.1 1060 Hamilton Endion Rd, off Rte 30 at Long Lake T,SF,V3 M,B topo map

Pillsbury 3597 1.6 1600 Hamilton Jessup River Rd, off Rte 30, 5 mi N of Speculator T,SF,V4 M,AC,B topo map

Salmon Lake 2530 Hamilton T,P,X S topo map

Snowy 3904 3.8 2100 Hamilton Rte 30, 7 mi S of Indian Lake T,SF,V3 M,AC,B topo map

T Lake 3070 1350 Hamilton Piseco Lake north shore SW,V0 M,AWC topo map

Tomany 2590 1.0 850 Hamilton Rte 10, 8 mi N of Rte 29A SF,V0 B,F topo map

Wakley 3744 3.2 1636 Hamilton Cedar River Rd, off Rte 28/30 T,SF,V4 M,AC topo map

West 2419 4.8 1100 Hamilton Raquette Lake Village or Sucker Brook Bay C,SW,V3 AWC,F topo map

Fort Noble 2338 1.5 850 Hamilton/
Herkimer Rte 8, 7 mi E of Rte 365 SW,V0 B topo map

Bald (Rondaxe) 2350 1.0 390 Herkimer Rte. 28, 4.5 mi E of Old Forge T,V4 M,F,N topo map

Beaver Lake 1970 Herkimer bushwack 3 mi N from Moshier Falls SW topo map

Dairy Hill 1812 0.1 50 Herkimer Observatory Rd, Town of Norway O,V0 B topo map

Electra 2318 Herkimer Partlow Sta., Adirondack RR SW S topo map

Moose River Mt. 2200 Herkimer 3 mi WNW Thendara SW,V0 AWC,F topo map

Stillwater 2264 1.2 560 Herkimer Stillwater-Big Moose Rd. T,P,V0 M,AWC topo map

Woodhull 2362 7.6 812 Herkimer park lot 1 mi E McKeever, off Rte 28 T,B,SF,V4 AWC,F topo map

Bald 1650 Lewis 10 mi SE Harrisville topo map

Gomer Hill 2115 Lewis Gomer Hill Rd, ~10 mi S Lowville T,O,V0 topo map

Number 4 1632 Lewis Moved to DEC reserve in Lowville topo map

Penn 1813 Oneida off Rte 12/28, 4 mi SW Alder Creek O,VO B topo map

Hadley 2680 2.0 1530 Saratoga Tower Rd, 6 mi NW Hadley T,V4 M,AS,B topo map

Spruce 2005 1.1 1003 Saratoga Wells Rd, 2 mi S of Corinth T,P,V4 AE topo map

Arab 2539 0.8 740 St Lawrence Mt Arab Rd, 2 mi S of Piercefield T,SF,V4 AN,J,N topo map

Cat 2261 5.1 775 St Lawrence Rte 3 at Wanakena C,SW,V3 AN,J topo map

Catamount 1830 1.3 400 St Lawrence Carry Falls Rd off Rte 56 near Stark P topo map

Cathedral Rock 1700 .9 200 St Lawrence Wanakena Ranger School roads T,V4 B topo map

Moosehead 2070 1.0 470 St Lawrence Moosehead Mt Rd, Rte 3 near Rte 56 P,X J,AN topo map

Tooley Pond 1792 0.6 200 St Lawrence Tooley Rd, 5mi NW Cranberry Lake SF,V2 topo map

White Hill 1436 0.0 0 St Lawrence White Hill Rd, 4 mi SE Parishville P topo map

Crane 3240 1.9 1300 Warren Garnet Lake Rd, off Rte 8 at Johnsburg SF,V3 M,AS,B topo map

Gore 3583 Warren Barton Mines Rd, off Rte 28, N River T,SI topo map

Prospect 2041 1.7 1600 Warren Smith St, Lake George village or tollroad D,SI,V3 AE topo map

Swede 1904 0.6 250 Warren Rte 8, between 9 & 9N T,P,X AE topo map

Black 2646 2.5 1046 Washington Pike Brook Rd, 4 mi NW Whitehall T,SF,V3 M,AE topo map

Adirondack Fire Tower Mountains
Name	Ht. '	mi.	Ascent '	County	Trailhead Access	Codes	Reference	Map link
Lyon	3800	2.2	1920	Clinton	Chazy Lake Rd. near NY 374	T,P+,V3	AN,J,F	topo map
Palmer Hill	1146	.4	100	Clinton	~2 mi N of Au Sable Forks	T,P,V2		topo map
Adams	3584	2.4	1800	Essex	Tahawus Rd, off Rte 28N	T,V4	AHP,F	topo map
Belfry	1820	0.4	120	Essex	Co. Rd 70, just N of Witherbee	T,V4	AE,F,B	topo map
Boreas	3776	4.5	2076	Essex	Elk Lake Rd, 6 mi NE N. Hudson	P	M,AHP	topo map
Goodnow	2685	1.9	1050	Essex	Rte 28N, 11.4 mi E of Long Lake	T,P+,V4	M,B	topo map
Hurricane	3694	2.6	2000	Essex	Rte 9N, 3.6 mi E Rte 73	T,SP,V4	AHP,B	topo map
Makomis	1662	1.1	580	Essex	Tracy Rd, .3 mi from US 9 & I-87	P,V3	AE	topo map
Pharaoh	2557	2.8	1257	Essex	Crane Pond Rd, 4 mi ESE Schroon Lake	SW,V3	M,AE,F	topo map
Poke-O-Moonshine	2170	1.2	1280	Essex	Poke-O-Moonshine Campground, Rte 9	T,SF,V4	M,AE,B,N	topo map
Vanderwhacker	3386	2.9	1700	Essex	Moose Pond Rd, off 28N	T,SF,V4	M,AC	topo map
Whiteface	4872	5.2	3620	Essex	Whiteface Mtn Hwy or trail fr L Placid	C,D,SI,V4	AHP	topo map
Ampersand	3965	2.8	1790	Franklin	Rte 3, btwn Tupper L. & Saranac L	SW,V4	M,AN,J,F	topo map
Azure	2518	1.0	1000	Franklin	Blue Mtn Rd, 15 mi NE Paul Smiths	T,SF,V3	AN,J,F	topo map
Debar	3305	3.7	1600	Franklin	Rte 30 at Meacham Lake Campground	SF,V3	M,AN,F	topo map
Loon Lake	3355			Franklin	Co Rt 99 [5 mi SE of Debar Mt]	T,P		topo map
Meenahga	2092	0.5	422	Franklin	bushwack N side of Rainbow Lake	T,P,X		topo map
Mount Morris	3163	1.5		Franklin	Rte 30 at Big Tupper Ski Area	T,P,X	J,AN	topo map
St Regis	2882	3.4	1250	Franklin	Keese Mills Rd, 2 mi W Paul Smiths	T,SC,V4	M,AN,J,N	topo map
Kane	2180	0.9	570	Fulton	E or S trail, near inters Rts 10 & 29A	T.SF,V4	AS,B,F,N	topo map
Blue	3759	2.5	1560	Hamilton	Rte. 30, in Blue Mtn. Lake	T,P+,V4	M,AC,N	topo map
Buck	2440			Hamilton		T,P,X	S	topo map
Cathead	2423	1.4	1100	Hamilton	Northville-L Placid Trail Rd.	T,P,X,V3	M,AS,B	topo map
Hamilton	3250			Hamilton	~5 mi SE Lake Pleasant	SW,X		topo map
Kempshall	3360	2.0	1700	Hamilton	Northville-L Placid Trail N of Long Lake	SW,V0	F	topo map
Owl's Head	2748	3.1	1060	Hamilton	Endion Rd, off Rte 30 at Long Lake	T,SF,V3	M,B	topo map
Pillsbury	3597	1.6	1600	Hamilton	Jessup River Rd, off Rte 30, 5 mi N of Speculator	T,SF,V4	M,AC,B	topo map
Salmon Lake	2530			Hamilton		T,P,X	S	topo map
Snowy	3904	3.8	2100	Hamilton	Rte 30, 7 mi S of Indian Lake	T,SF,V3	M,AC,B	topo map
T Lake	3070		1350	Hamilton	Piseco Lake north shore	SW,V0	M,AWC	topo map
Tomany	2590	1.0	850	Hamilton	Rte 10, 8 mi N of Rte 29A	SF,V0	B,F	topo map
Wakley	3744	3.2	1636	Hamilton	Cedar River Rd, off Rte 28/30	T,SF,V4	M,AC	topo map
West	2419	4.8	1100	Hamilton	Raquette Lake Village or Sucker Brook Bay	C,SW,V3	AWC,F	topo map
Fort Noble	2338	1.5	850	Hamilton/ Herkimer	Rte 8, 7 mi E of Rte 365	SW,V0	B	topo map
Bald (Rondaxe)	2350	1.0	390	Herkimer	Rte. 28, 4.5 mi E of Old Forge	T,V4	M,F,N	topo map
Beaver Lake	1970			Herkimer	bushwack 3 mi N from Moshier Falls	SW		topo map
Dairy Hill	1812	0.1	50	Herkimer	Observatory Rd, Town of Norway	O,V0	B	topo map
Electra	2318			Herkimer	Partlow Sta., Adirondack RR	SW	S	topo map
Moose River Mt.	2200			Herkimer	3 mi WNW Thendara	SW,V0	AWC,F	topo map
Stillwater	2264	1.2	560	Herkimer	Stillwater-Big Moose Rd.	T,P,V0	M,AWC	topo map
Woodhull	2362	7.6	812	Herkimer	park lot 1 mi E McKeever, off Rte 28	T,B,SF,V4	AWC,F	topo map
Bald	1650			Lewis	10 mi SE Harrisville			topo map
Gomer Hill	2115			Lewis	Gomer Hill Rd, ~10 mi S Lowville	T,O,V0		topo map
Number 4	1632			Lewis	Moved to DEC reserve in Lowville			topo map
Penn	1813			Oneida	off Rte 12/28, 4 mi SW Alder Creek	O,VO	B	topo map
Hadley	2680	2.0	1530	Saratoga	Tower Rd, 6 mi NW Hadley	T,V4	M,AS,B	topo map
Spruce	2005	1.1	1003	Saratoga	Wells Rd, 2 mi S of Corinth	T,P,V4	AE	topo map
Arab	2539	0.8	740	St Lawrence	Mt Arab Rd, 2 mi S of Piercefield	T,SF,V4	AN,J,N	topo map
Cat	2261	5.1	775	St Lawrence	Rte 3 at Wanakena	C,SW,V3	AN,J	topo map
Catamount	1830	1.3	400	St Lawrence	Carry Falls Rd off Rte 56 near Stark	P		topo map
Cathedral Rock	1700	.9	200	St Lawrence	Wanakena Ranger School roads	T,V4	B	topo map
Moosehead	2070	1.0	470	St Lawrence	Moosehead Mt Rd, Rte 3 near Rte 56	P,X	J,AN	topo map
Tooley Pond	1792	0.6	200	St Lawrence	Tooley Rd, 5mi NW Cranberry Lake	SF,V2		topo map
White Hill	1436	0.0	0	St Lawrence	White Hill Rd, 4 mi SE Parishville	P		topo map
Crane	3240	1.9	1300	Warren	Garnet Lake Rd, off Rte 8 at Johnsburg	SF,V3	M,AS,B	topo map
Gore	3583			Warren	Barton Mines Rd, off Rte 28, N River	T,SI		topo map
Prospect	2041	1.7	1600	Warren	Smith St, Lake George village or tollroad	D,SI,V3	AE	topo map
Swede	1904	0.6	250	Warren	Rte 8, between 9 & 9N	T,P,X	AE	topo map
Black	2646	2.5	1046	Washington	Pike Brook Rd, 4 mi NW Whitehall	T,SF,V3	M,AE	topo map

Codes	Views	References
C = pos. canoe/hike	V0 = none	M = 50 Hikes in the Adirondacks by B. McMartin
D = drive up	V1 = poor	AC = ADK Central Region guide
O = outside Park	V2 = OK	AE = ADK Eastern Region guide
P = private land	V3 = great	AHP = ADK High Peaks guide
P+ = private but hiking trail OK	V4 = 360	AN = ADK Northern guide
T = tower standing		AS = ADK Southern guide
X = no access		AWC = ADK West-Central guide
B = bike/hike		J = Adirondack Canoe Waters, N Flow by P. Jamieson
SC = state Canoe Area		B = me, see Firetower Notes
SF = state Wild Forest		F = Maggie's Firetower Page
SI = state Intensive Use		N = National Historic Lookout Register
SP = state Primitive Area	S =
SW = state Wilderness

Bob's Homepage

Bob Berch

Free counters provided by Honesty.com.

by Bob Berch 1-1-2008