Labor Day weekend – Finish on Spruce Mountain
On Labor Day, I took a side trip home from the Catskills to go and hike up Spruce Mountain and see that fire tower. Arriving at the snowplow turn around, there were already two other vehicles there. Got my stuff together and headed into the woods…
Early on, it’s appears some of the locals don’t like the idea of “their” land being used for hikers…
Anyone lose some poles? These were hanging on a tree about a tenth of a mile in…
The beginning was pretty easy to follow, but I did get a little confused here…
I needed to keep to the right, onto the grassy road. Turns out several cairns along the entire trail have been knocked over. So I did some rebuilding as I continued along.
Early on, it’s appears some of the locals don’t like the idea of “their” land being used for hikers…
Anyone lose some poles? These were hanging on a tree about a tenth of a mile in…
The beginning was pretty easy to follow, but I did get a little confused here…
I needed to keep to the right, onto the grassy road. Turns out several cairns along the entire trail have been knocked over. So I did some rebuilding as I continued along.
Soon the trail enters the woods…
There are a few trail markers still in one piece in the woods…
The trail soon leaves the “road” trail, and instead takes a side trail, more direct route, on the left of this intersection…
Part way up I came across this tree down across the trail. Choices were going under or around. Going around to the right was easiest…
There are a few trail markers still in one piece in the woods…
The trail soon leaves the “road” trail, and instead takes a side trail, more direct route, on the left of this intersection…
Part way up I came across this tree down across the trail. Choices were going under or around. Going around to the right was easiest…
Soon after the tree, the trail starts switching between being out in the open, and under cover. As I climbed I began hearing children’s voices, so I figured those may be the people who’s cars I saw below. And coming around a turn, I caught site of the tower…
73 feet to the top, but unless you’re adventurous, you can’t climb it as the lower three sets of stairs have been removed and “stored” farther up…
I’ve seen photos and videos from just a month or two ago, so someone had decide to go up there. I would not. I did look around the area a little, because I had read there was a ledge you could out on and see some of the surrounding area, but could not locate it. So one last pic, and I got ready to leave…
Headed back down the way I came, and was done in a little under 2 hours total, even with my time at the summit. In hind sight, I probably would have taken the jeep road down, and made it a loop hike instead of an up and back.
73 feet to the top, but unless you’re adventurous, you can’t climb it as the lower three sets of stairs have been removed and “stored” farther up…
I’ve seen photos and videos from just a month or two ago, so someone had decide to go up there. I would not. I did look around the area a little, because I had read there was a ledge you could out on and see some of the surrounding area, but could not locate it. So one last pic, and I got ready to leave…
Headed back down the way I came, and was done in a little under 2 hours total, even with my time at the summit. In hind sight, I probably would have taken the jeep road down, and made it a loop hike instead of an up and back.
To see all my pics from this hike, click here
This is now #24 or the 29 fire towers for me. Just 5 to go.
Specs
- 2.73 miles
- 1032 feet elev gained
- 1 hour 52 minutes