Swancott Hill Fire Tower Site

Trail Overview

This trail will bring you to the former site of the tallest fire tower in New York State. On your way, you will pass several brooks and streams with good fishing for trout and a few unofficial campsites. Also, be on the lookout for old home foundations hidden in the woods.

Photos of Swancott Hill Fire Tower Site

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Difficulty

This trail does feature a couple of sections of loose stones that require the use of 4WD to climb. A section of marsh also has the potential to be flooded out but the trail has a solid base so it is possible to cross but do so at your own risk. The site of the old tower ends at private property. Please respect the private property signs.

History

This trail was created in part to access a fire tower that used to stand at the end of this trail in a clearing. If you look hard enough you can find the old concrete blocks used to secure the guide wires on the tower to keep it stable. This fire tower stood at a New York State record height of 99 feet 9 inches and was built by the CCC in 1940. With the advent of aerial detection, this tower was closed at the end of the 1971 season and both the tower and cabin were sold and removed.

Technical Rating