A majestic fire tower stands on the summit of Mount Tremper.
For many decades, Fire Tower Observers perched in the
steel cab at the top of the tower watched for forest fires.
Now the volunteers of the Catskill Fire Tower Project
maintain this historic tower and volunteer interpreters open the cab on weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day so hikers can enjoy the spectacular views from the top.
Built in 1917, Mt. Tremper Fire Tower is 47-feet
tall and has a 360° view of the tallest mountains
in the Catskills, the Hudson Valley and beyond.
In 1975 the fire tower was decommissioned. The
tower remained unused and in disrepair until the
late 1990's when the restoration effort began.
Thanks to the grassroots volunteers of the
Catskill Fire Tower Project, the Catskill Center for
Conservation and Development, and the NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation, the
fire tower was reopened in 2001.
The dedicated Mt. Tremper Fire Tower Volunteers.
At 2740-feet, Mt. Tremper towers above the Hamlet of Phoenicia and the trail to the summit
is just a mile-and-a-half south of Main Street on Plank Road.
It's a three-mile hike to the fire tower-with a 2,000 foot elevation gain.
There are also trails to the fire tower from Notch Inn Road, a section
of the Long Path accessed
south of Devils Tombstone, and in Willow. For more info visit: catskilfiretowers.org
The views from Mount Tremper Fire Tower include the Burroughs Range; West Kill, Hunter and
Plateau; Twin and Indian Head; the Blackhead Range is off in the distance; and Overlook completes
the semi circle of great Catskill Mountains
To the south you look across the Ashokan Reservoir past the Shawangunks, all the way to the Hudson Highlands.
Every year, hundreds of hikers visit the fire Tower and are greeted by a volunteer.
Mt. Tremper has 15 Volunteer Interpreters who open the cab at the top of the tower so
hikers can enjoy the view from inside.
The cab is open from late-morning to mid-afternoon on weekends from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Visit catskillfiretowers.org for more info.
The Catskill Fire Tower Project
The Catskill Fire Tower Project was founded to preserve the culture and history of the Catskill Mountains while promoting hiking in this beautiful region. Grassroots volunteers and their partners led the effort to restore the five fire towers within the Catskill Park and open them to the public.
Now, the fire towers on Balsam Lake Mountain, Hunter Mtn, Overlook Mtn, Red Hill, and Mt. Tremper, are all open.
Over 125 volunteers work to maintain these towers and
welcome hikers from all over the world.
There is always a need for new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for the Catskill Fire Tower Project, or would like more information on the fire towers, contact:
cccd@catskillcenter.org or visit catskillfiretowers.org
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