Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is hosting the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024. If you hike all six Catskills fire towers in a year you will receive a patch. All you need to do is hike the towers, track your miles, fill out the time sheet and email it to catskillschallenge@dec.ny.gov.
This year is actually our 4th time hiking the fire towers. The first time we just did the towers for the sake of doing them. The second time we completed the challenge in two days and received our Catskill Fire Tower Challenge patch. The third time we took a friend to complete the Fire Towers Challenge but didn’t think to submit the sheet for ourselves as well. This year, we completed all six towers in 5 days, starting January 1st to the 5th of 2024.
Red Hill Fire Tower Challenge 2024
First on the list for our tower challenge was Red Hill. I chose this one because it was the shortest and I wasn’t feeling my best. While this was the 4th time we did the hike, on this day it was cold, I was tired and sleep deprived but I wanted us to start the year strong and with a hike.
If you’ve ever hiked Red Hill from Denning Rd parking lot, you know that it’s a continuous uphill until you reach the tower. There are a few switchbacks as you go up the hill and a few spots where you think you’ll have a straight path. Alas, it just keeps going up. While the hike was short, and there was only a small coating of snow, going up was a challenge. It put me back to the first time that we did the hike where Nihad flew by me while I took my sweet time getting up there. This time my excuse was that I was sick.
After taking a short break and eating some chocolate and chickpea puffs, I got my energy back. I didn’t realize just how close we were to making it to the top but I needed that break. A nap would have been nice as well, but you take what you can get. Once we got to the top, we put on our extra layers and walked up the tower with our picture of Koko. She climbed those tower stairs with us, enjoyed the freezing cold views, and walked down the steps with me. After taking more pictures by the tower and enjoying a little snack break, we headed back down the mountain. It is always easier to go down the mountain and exciting to see the car waiting for you.
Hiking Balsam Mountain Fire Tower
One of my favorite fire tower trails is Balsam Mountain. The first time we climbed Balsam Mountain Fire Tower it was hot, muggy, I was tired and hungry, and the trail just kept dragging on. The second and third time we climbed it, I realized just how easy it was and loved it. It was also winter the second time, which helped. January 2nd was the 4th time we climbed Balsam Mountain. I was expecting it to be all ice, but it wasn’t. Instead, we got to enjoy snow and later on even some sunshine and flurries.
The first mile of Balsam Mountain is a pretty good uphill. Then you reach the top and plateau for another good mile. Once you reach the intersection, you take a right turn, past the gate, and start the uphill. The third mile is the most interesting one since you’re going up, into the woods. Just as you think there are no more uphills, there is one more, and then another. The third mile is where you get a bit of a workout but it’s all worth it in the end.
Hiking Overlook Fire Tower 2024
On the 3rd of January, we got up and met with my cousin at Overlook Mountain parking lot. I told him to wear his hunting boots but didn’t know they would be rubber water boots. Oops! We were expecting snow and ice but only had a few sections at the beginning that were icy. While we came prepared with our ice cleats/traction we did not use them or need them.
The journey to Overlook fire tower is always a slow one and a bit boring. There are no real views until you get to the tower and the uphill seems endless. Once we reached Overlook Mountain House we decided to go to the tower first and on our way back to the parking lot, stop and explore the old hotel. Once you reach the mountain house, the rest of the trail seems better and easier. In no time at all we were at the fire tower enjoying the views.
While we had gray skies, in the distance the sun peeked through, with sun rays shining on a section of the county. After taking a few photos and enjoying some snacks, we walked a little extra to the view. Once we had enough, we headed back down the hill to the Mountain House. After spending some time exploring the old hotel, we continue down the hill to the parking lot. Before we finished the trail, my cousin stepped on the ice and slid down. Thankfully, he didn’t get hurt and we finished the hike laughing.
Upper Esopus Fire Tower 2024
Before rewarded my cousin for hiking with us, we took him to Upper Esopus fire tower. We wanted him to have at least two Catskill Fire Tower Challenge 2024 completed for the day. Upper Esopus fire tower is only a half mile hike roundtrip from the parking lot. It’s an easy walk and if he had it in him, I would have made him walk a little extra. Once we completed the hike and took photos in front of the tower, we rewarded ourselves by going to Brio’s for lunch.
Hunter Mountain Fire Tower Challenge 2024
On the 4th day of January, we did the hike that I dread the most, Hunter Mountain. The morning was bitter cold and started with snow flurries. Quickly the flurries turned into a snow storm. By the time we made it to the fire tower, we have a nice coating of snow on the ground and plenty of fog. I made sure to add extra layers before climbing the tower but it was not enough. Not only was it cold and windy, but the tower was a frozen icicle itself. I quickly climbed the tower and even quicker walked down to hide from the wind and enjoy some snacks.
While we were eating our snacks, another hiker came, looked at the tower and kept trekking on. At Hunter Mountain fire tower you can always expect snow in the winter and cold weather or fog. This time it was 25F and I couldn’t wait to go down the mountain, and back to our car. As we started going down, the snow flurries stopped and the sun even came out a bit. I put my snow traction and was running down the hill. We also encountered a few other hikers going up the trail. They had no idea the weather that was waiting for them a mile up the trail. A group of young kids also passed us, some in sneakers and light jackets and jeans. I do hope they were able to make it to the top and didn’t get hurt. If you are doing the fire tower challenge, either do Hunter Mountain first to get it out of the way or at the end, because it’s the most challenging of the six towers.
Tremper Fire Tower Challenge 2024
The last hike we did for the Fire Tower Challenge 2024 was Mt Tremper. Tremper Mountain Hill Fire Tower is an easy, continues hike up the wide trail. We start off from the road, walk up the rock stairs, then through the woods and finally were greeted by the login station. The log book was full but I found an empty spot on one of the pages and signed us in. I should mention that Red Hill fire tower log book was also full. Once you sign the logbook, the real trail begins.
Tremper Fire Tower trail is rocky but wide. The first two miles are an easy uphill with some switchbacks. If you enjoy Overlook or Red Hill fire tower, you will enjoy hiking Mt Tremper. The last mile of Mount Tremper Fire Tower Trail is the hardest. You are greeted by a steep uphill which looks intimidating, Once you reach the top, you’re fooled to think that the tower is there. The trail keeps goin through the woods with smaller hills until finally, you see the privy.
I could not wait to take a little break and enjoy my snacks before climbing up to the tower. One thing to note is that this is the only tower that is open, even in the winter. This makes the three mile hike to the tower worth it. Not only is the tower open but it’s enclosed in glass so you are not as cold and can enjoy the views more. After taking a few pictures, we walked down the hill and back to our car. It was a perfect hike and day to end the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge 2024.
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024 Photo Galleries
Hiking the Red Hill fire tower for the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024. We had some light snow on the ground. This is our 4th time doing this challenge.
Red Hill Fire Tower Hike Video
Balsam Fire Tower Hike Video
Overlook Fire Tower Hike Video
2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
Coming soon, the 2024 Fire Tower Challenge!
- Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
- Fill out the log of completed hikes along with one favorite photo via SurveyMonkey or by downloading and emailing the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge Survey (PDF) to catskillschallenge@dec.ny.gov. This can also be submitted via mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1020. Entries must be postmarked by January 6, 2025.
- All finishers will receive a commemorative patch and be entered into the grand prize drawing*. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Finishers who have completed the challenge in multiple years will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize!
- To receive a bonus prize entry, submit a photo showing yourself practicing Leave No Trace ™ while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail).