Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

Last weekend was a tough one. I hiked 22 miles and bagged 4 peaks. Way too much hiking, and not enough smelling the flowers. This weekend was going to be different. So, we decided to hike Red Hill Fire Tower. It is 1.4 miles to the top. Not a real difficult hike. But, it is quite lovely. It is a 2 hour drive for us to get there, but totally worth it.

After getting lost for a short period of time, we arrived around 11:30 AM at the DEC PA. It is less then 10 miles from the Denning PA. When we arrived we were overwhelmed with butterflies in the parking area. Mainly Red Admirals, but I did see a Northern Crescent butterfly. Got a few pictures of them. Signed in a the DEC registration box. Then we hiked up the trail to the summit. We took our time and arrived at the summit in about an hour.

The summit has a very nice Ranger Station and fire tower. Plenty of grass at the top for a nice picnic. Two picnic tables. On the summit there were plenty of Swallowtail butterflies. After having lunch we headed back down. We took our time.

We still had plenty of time, so we headed over to the Denning PA. We then hiked up to the Neversink Creek. We hiked a little ways up the Fisherman's Path before turning back. On the way back we ran into several groups of people. Some serious hikers, and some who were having difficulty and without water. We also heard a Barred Owl on the way back.


Red Admiral Butterfly


Minor stream crossing at the beginning of the hike


Very ample spring about 3/4 of the way up


Ranger Station at the summit


Red Hill Fire Tower


Ranger Station at the summit


View from the Red Hill Fire Tower

What a cute little hike. Only 1.4 miles to the top. Will have to try this one.

hikes should be measured in smiles not miles

As a heads up. The parking lot is on an unmaintained road in the winter. I went to do this hike last weekend and couldn't get down the road, due to about a foot of snow. It would be worth putting a note on the hike description, for anyone thinknig of hiking this in the winter.

Good point! Last year they were plowing it. But, I did have a friend who drove down there and got stuck because it was too icy to drive back up. But, a note about winter access might be good.

Relatively easy hike, some minor scrambling near the top. Beautiful views from the tower, does anybody know what wkeds the cab is manned so you can go inside? Amazing to think somebody actually worked up there!

There is group(name?) that coordinates volunteers to be tower greeters,explain the history,etc. for the summer usually memorial day through columbus day. When I did Red Hill a number of years ago in a summer there were greeters there.Was able to go into the cab. Even bought a patch. I know Overlook has greeters as far as I remember.

Thanks for the info, Birdman. (sorry was away for a spell)