Volunteers from the Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project Return to Open Hunter Mountain Fire Tower on Weekends

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Volunteers from the Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project Return to Open Hunter Mountain Fire Tower on Weekends

HUNTER, NY -- The Catskill Center is excited to announce that the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower in Hunter, NY has reopened to visitors for the season, including its top cab, on weekends and holidays. The Hunter Fire Tower is staffed by a team of volunteer interpreters who are part of the Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project - on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays.

Earlier in the season the Tower had remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the ongoing concerns, the Tower has been reopened in a cautious way with multiple new safety measures in place. To protect other hikers and the Catskill Center volunteers staffing the tower, visitors are required to wear a face mask when climbing on the Tower, to use hand sanitizer before and after climbing on the Tower, and only members of the same party climb together. Fire Tower volunteers will have hand sanitizer available.

“We are excited that we are in a place where we have been able to begin reopening the Catskill Park’s Fire Towers,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “These Towers are some of the most scenic and popular destinations in the Park and now with our volunteers from the Catskill Fire Tower Project beginning to return, the public will have the opportunity to once again enjoy the towers and learn about how to help responsibly enjoy and protect the Catskill Park on their visit.”

Hunter Mountain is a terrific hike no matter which direction you’re coming from.  It’s the second tallest mountain in the Catskills at 4039 feet in elevation (and the highest point in Greene County). The Fire Tower on the top is a 60-foot Aermotor Co. steel tower built originally in 1917 for forest fire surveillance.

Hikers planning to get to the top should be prepared with the 10 essentials in their backpacks (see the DEC’s website here https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/hikesmarttenessentials.pdf) and prepared for a challenging hike. The level of difficulty varies by trail as do the sights hiker see along the way. From the west side parking lot on Spruceton Road the hike is 7.4 miles roundtrip. From the east side at Stony Clove Notch on route 214, the hike is 5.1 miles with a very steep climb of 2200’. The easiest trail to access the Fire Tower is from Colonel’s Chair after taking the Hunter Mountain Sky Ride (fees apply). The Sky Ride is currently closed with plans to reopen in the coming weeks. The hike from Colonel’s Chair to Hunter Fire Tower is 4.2 miles roundtrip with less uphill, just under 900’ of elevation gain.

“The view from the top of the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower is a gorgeous 360-degree panorama of the surrounding Catskill Mountains that includes the Blackhead Range and the Devil’s Path Range,” said Olivia Bernard, the Catskill Center’s Fire Tower Project Coordinator. “On a clear day, the other Catskill Fire Towers can be seen far off in the distance. To enjoy this view, just remember to bring your face mask, your hand sanitizer, and pack your 10 hiking essentials to have a safe and enjoyable hike”

The five backcountry Catskill Park  Fire Towers are owned and maintained  by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) with support from the Catskill Center. A sixth Catskill Park Fire Tower is now located on the grounds of the Catskills Visitor Center (catskillsvisitorcenter.org), having opened in the Fall of 2019.  You can learn more  about the Fire Towers of the Catskill Park  on the Catskill Center’s website at catskillcenter.org/fire-tower-project.

The volunteer program at the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower is a part of Catskill Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project. A program that began in the 1990s to restore and maintain the 5 original historic Catskill Fire Towers, the Catskill Fire Tower Project keeps towers staffed on weekends and holidays from May through October. Volunteers greet and speak with visitors to the Catskill Park; providing regional and historical information, and encouraging best hiking practices to protect and preserve the Park. As a member-supported effort, the Catskill Fire Tower Project relies on donations and membership contributions to the Catskill Center. To support the Catskill Fire Tower Project, make a donation and become a member of the Catskill Center at  catskillcenter.org/membership.

The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower

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THE CATSKILL CENTER

Since 1969, the Catskill Center has protected and fostered the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region. It is guided by the understanding that responsible conservation creates opportunity and it is the major force advocating for both the Catskill Park and the entire region. The Catskill Center’s activities involve arts and culture, education, natural resources and economic growth. These are pursued through three program areas: Regional Collaboration, Stewardship of public and Private Lands, and Inspiration for Responsible Economic Growth. Formed in 1969 and headquartered at the Erpf Center in Arkville, NY, the Catskill Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501C(3) corporation. It employs an executive director and staff and is guided by an all-volunteer board of directors with representation from local, regional and New York City metropolitan areas.

For more information, visit www.catskillcenter.org.