Closed fire towers?

[Adironzach]

Adam’s mountain has something similar in its cab. I love seeing those 360° maps. I don’t have a picture of just the map as they are all videos but here is one of them that you can see the map on


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[stripperguy]

We used to laugh at the absurdity of the execution...
The profiles were out of reach for the majority of humans, and even so, were not labeled in braille. So the braille labels would be of no benefit a person that would need braille.

Sort of like the braille at some drive up ATM's...(which at least have a sane rational behind them)

[Lucky13]

I thought the braille was kind of neat. I could see that the plexiglass could be lined up with the mountains, but I also thought the cutting of the profile allowed the non-sighted to use their hands to "feel" the differences in the different mountains. I thought it was very considerate of Newcomb to make an attempt to provide some kind of Adirondack experience to those less fortunate in ability to see the grandeur.

[stripperguy]

...
Link to Google album if you want to see larger pics or zoom in. I could not find the braille when I zoomed in. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y7FMvhfH7sirPJWy7

Dang!! It's been a few years since I stopped there, they've updated the sign.
My gang had joked about the braille for years.

[Makwa]

The display in Newcomb from Jan 2017. Third pic is Marcy lined up with the display (labeled "P").

Link to Google album if you want to see larger pics or zoom in. I could not find the braille when I zoomed in. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y7FMvhfH7sirPJWy7

[Makwa]

I believe the cab on Goodnow is closed. Which is a shame because the map in that cab is a really neat.

Map (pic from May 2015) in Goodnow FT cab.

[stripperguy]

The town park in Newcomb has something similar- a glass (plexiglass?) engraving that shows the High Peaks skyline with all of the peaks labeled. If you stand in the right spot, the glass engraving lines up pretty closely with the view of the High Peaks, so it's easy to see which peak is which.

Has everyone looked at that engraved profile closely??
There is also every peak's name written in braille!

[DSettahr]

The town park in Newcomb has something similar- a glass (plexiglass?) engraving that shows the High Peaks skyline with all of the peaks labeled. If you stand in the right spot, the glass engraving lines up pretty closely with the view of the High Peaks, so it's easy to see which peak is which.

[IndLk_Brett]

I can only imagine what type of treatment the cabin would get these days if it were left open. Any pictures of the map?

Couldn't find any old pictures of the map. It's basically a fairly detailed 360° drawing of all the land features you can see looking out towards the horizon from the cab. It shows you the names of the mountains, water bodies and other major landmarks within view.

I thought it was a pretty cool addition. Especially because I'm someone who likes to look over a topo map and figure out exactly what I'm looking at when I'm up high with a good long view.

If you've ever been to The Wild Center I seem to remember them having something similar outside on the boardwalk.

[hikingandwildex]

I believe the cab on Goodnow is closed. Which is a shame because the map in that cab is a really neat.

There's currently an online fundraiser for Goodnow's restoration on SUNY ESF's website. As of a few weeks ago, $13k of the estimated $95k cost has been raised.

Meanwhile, I believe Spruce Mt. is closed during big game hunting season.

Same with Stillwater Mountain the northwest Adirondacks.

As mentioned above, Black Mountain is another tower in the ADKs that is closed. It's still a worthwhile hike with great views on the mountaintop and from the ponds below.

[Buckladd]

I believe the cab on Goodnow is closed. Which is a shame because the map in that cab is a really neat.

I can only imagine what type of treatment the cabin would get these days if it were left open. Any pictures of the map?

Meanwhile, I believe Spruce Mt. is closed during big game hunting season.

[IndLk_Brett]

I believe the cab on Goodnow is closed. Which is a shame because the map in that cab is a really neat.

I was recently in the tower on Wakely and while in the cab I was definitely hoping they did a good job with the repairs - the wind was whipping around like crazy up there that day.

[DSettahr]

In the Adirondacks there are seven towers that are on private land where you need permission to hike to.

Swede- Leased to a Hunting Club, owned by Lyme and Timber

I know this is an older post but a clarification- the summit of Swede itself (including the tower) is on land owned by Warren County, not by Lyme Timber. It's the approach trail that crosses private property that is posted.

In any case, as I understand it a deal has been reached that will allow for public access to Swede in the near future, outside of hunting season.

[hikingandwildex]

Berry Hill (Chenango County) is currently being restored and will open to the public sometime next year according to DEC's website. I thought this would be a good place to post this recent development.

Some closed towers in the western half of New York State that I am aware of:

Allegany State Park: There are two standing towers in the park, Mount Tuscarora and Summit Hill. Neither can be climbed. The former is in a state of disrepair and the latter is fenced off as of this past spring.

Alma Hill: Highest peak in Western New York that is on private land. Lots of "No Trespassing" signs on the side of Alma Hill Road. An old photo of the firetower can be seen on this page.

Jersey Hill: Only the foundation blocks remain today in the middle of a designated camping area.

Arab Hill: Not a firetower per se, but an interesting structure nevertheless. Fenced off as you can see in the picture.

The DEC website, CNY Hiking, and the Forest Lookouts page all provide good info on both open and closed towers throughout the state.

[dundee]

Is Wakley still closed?
Loon Lake mountain has a closed one in disrepair too.

No, now open.