Balsam Lake Mountain and Fire Tower
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DISTANCE: 7.5 miles TYPE: Lollipop TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,150 feet MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,730 feet DIFFICULTY: Moderate HIKING TIME: 4 hours |
Located at the southern tip of the Dry Brook Ridge, this pleasant circuit hike features relatively easy trail grade along an old woods road, and it rewards hikers with views from a very nice fire tower on the summit. A large grassy clearing surrounds the fire tower and makes a great place to picnic. This is an enjoyable hike any time of year, and it can be easily snowshoed in winter months. Be sure to stay on the footpath, as the first few miles of the trail cross private property.
GETTING THERE
Take Exit 19 (Kingston) from the New York State Thruway. Turn right onto NY-28 West, then continue west on NY-28 for about 33 miles. At the Belleayre Ski Center, turn left onto NY-49A. Drive 5 miles, until NY-49A ends, then take a left onto Dry Brook Road (NY-49/NY-7A). Drive for 1.4 miles until you come to Mill Brook Road, then take a right onto Mill Brook Road. Continue for another 2 miles. The parking area will be on the right side of the road. This is also the parking area for Graham Mountain (Guide #38), which can be done as an extension of this hike.
GPS SHORTCUT
Type “Balsam Lake Mountain” into Google Maps and your GPS will navigate you to the appropriate trailhead.
THE TRAIL
From the DEC parking area, walk down the road a short distance to the trailhead. Take the blue-blazed trail heading south—the same Dry Brook Ridge Trail also heads north, toward the Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest. The beginning of the trail follows an old woods road on private land. You will pass the trail register after a short distance.
Follow the blue blazes as the trail climbs gently. After hiking for a few minutes, you will pass a spring on the right side of the trail. Continue for another mile. Around 2 miles into the hike, you will pass a trail on your left, headed east. This is an unmaintained but easily discernible trail that leads to Graham Mountain.
Shortly after you pass the trail to Graham Mountain, you will arrive at an official trail junction, with a red-blazed trail leading to the right. Take this trail. The blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail continues straight toward Balsam Lake. You will return on this trail, following the loop around Balsam Lake Mountain.
Follow the red blazes as the trail becomes steeper. Continue for another 0.75 mile, until the tower comes into view. You will pass the ranger station just before reaching the summit. As with all Catskill fire towers (the others can be found on Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain, Red Hill, and Tremper Mountain), the ranger station is staffed seasonally on weekends, with volunteers present to answer questions and help you safely ascend the tower.
Rising above the treetops, the restored tower offers excellent views in all directions. Views of the Pepacton Reservoir, Dry Brook Valley, Belleayre, Balsam Mountain, Big Indian, Bearpen Mountain, and more can be had on a good day.
The trail continues downhill past an outhouse. After about a quarter of a mile, you will continue straight through an intersection with the yellow-blazed Millbrook Ridge Trail, which heads west toward Alder Lake. A short distance later you will pass a side trail leading off to the right for the Balsam Lake Mountain Lean-To. There is also a water source near the shelter. Continue south until you reconnect with the blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail. Turn left and follow the blue blazes back to the parking area.
IN THE OBSERVATION TOWER ON BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN
