The Adirondacks and Catskills Fire Tower Challenge is one of many hiking challenges for young and old and any time throughout the year. The rules are to climb and document the ascents of at least 23 fire tower summits: 18 of 25 Adirondack Park summits and all 5 Catskill Park summits. I had already climbed many of these mountains over the years, so in hearing about this, I was drawn to completing the challenge.
Cathy and I were invited to join a couple who wanted to complete the Fire Towers in the Catskills. The four of us decided to travel together and rent a cottage for the weekend down in the Catskills. Being December, we expected snow but there was barely any snow which made the hiking fairly easy. I plotted out a route to the different trailheads so that our driving time could be a bit more efficient.
Our departure date to the Catskills brought a disappointing call from one friend who was feeling poorly that morning, sneezing and running a fever. She wanted so much to go but knew she would not last the day; however, she encouraged the remaining three of us to go ahead. The drive took a little over five hours to arrive at our first trailhead. As we approached the Catskills, our plan was to hike Balsam Lake first, then head down to complete Red Hill, then afterwards check in to the cabin in Phoenicia. The next day we headed to Tremper and finished with Overlook and did not see any snakes, to our good fortune, as Overlook Mountain was known for. It was a beautiful hot and successful day hiking. We settled back into the cabin to shower, relax, have a celebration drink and eat. The next day as we headed home, we were able to hike the last fire tower at Hunter Mountain. The length of the hikes made it possible to complete two per day which enabled us to complete the challenge and enjoy the weekend. The weather was bonus.
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