Tremper Mountain Fire Tower Classic Hike

From the junction, the red-blazed Phoenicia Trail leads to the summit in about 2½ miles via a steep climb and a series of very helpful switchbacks.

At 1400’ or so you’ll see a large quarry in the woods to your left.

This is the quarry on Mt Tremper where many many timber rattlesnakes are said to den together. It’s at 42.07217, -74.29413 and very close to the trail — but actually, even here, seeing a rattler is quite rare.

A little further along, I noticed some Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on 3-4 hemlock trees…

I later reported this infestation using the iMapInvasives app.

After the quarry, the first switchback curves sharply to the left around a hairpin turn to ease your climb.

Baldwin Memorial Lean-To

At 2100’, after climbing short steep section and turning right around a corner, you’ll notice a small trail to your right. This leads to the first to two lean-tos on Mt Tremper, the very beautifully situated Baldwin Memorial Lean-To.

Tremper Mountain Spring

Back on the main trail, at 2250’, a very short side trail leads to a spring. Great place to soak a bandana or refill your water — just make sure to filter or treat it to make it potable.

Tremper Mountain Lean-To & Fire Tower

After about 3 miles in total, you’ll pass the second lean-to on your left. On this morning, another hiker was sleeping in the lean-to with her dog so I didn’t take a photo.

The trail continues north and east via the Warner Creek trail (blue blazes) Jessop Road in Willow, or to Silver Hollow / Plateau / Edgewood.

Tremper Mountain Fire Tower

The DEC describes the tower: “This fire tower is believed to be the original structure built circa 1917, and used for fire observation until 1971. The 47-foot tower was placed in its present location because of the vast sections of forest preserve not visible from either the Hunter or Belleayre fire towers.”

If the cabin is locked, just take your shots from the steps below the cabin. You can still enjoy amazing views in all directions.

Tremper Mountain Fire Tower Views

The fire tower is not oriented strictly north/south. It’s oriented northwest/southeast.

Look first at the reservoir, which is almost directly south. This is the west side of the reservoir, where the Boiceville trailhead for the Ashokan Rail Trail is located.

Now work you way clockwise, from left to right. The main points on display in order are…

South

• Ashokan Reservoir
• To its left: Ticetonyk
• To its right: Ashokan High Point

South West

• Mount Pleasant (the long low mountain)
• Look over Mount Pleasant to see Wittenberg’s distinctive shark fin in the distance
• On Wittenberg‘s left: Friday & Balsam Cap
• On Wittenberg’s right: Slide Mountain

West

• Now, looking directly west you can see Giant Ledge and Panther
• To their right: Balsam & Belleayre
• Next: Halcott & Sleeping Lion
• Next: Mount Sherrill & North Dome

Giant ledge on the left, Panther in the middle, Balsam on the right…

Close-up of Giant Ledge…

By now, you have turned almost 180° and are looking north…

North

• St Anne’s Peak and West Kill which (at 355°) is almost directly due north
• To their right: Southwest Hunter & Hunter Mountain

North East

• My favorite part: looking through Stony Clove Notch to Lockwood Gap, the col between Black Dome & Blackhead

East

• The large mountain nearby is Tremper’s northeastern lobe
• Behind it: Plateau’s long flat summit ridge — it’s about 2 miles in length
• Olderbark obscures Sugarloaf (the only Devil’s Path mountain you can’t see from the tower)
• Twin & Indian Head
• Plattekill & Overlook
• Look directly east (90°) just over Overlook’s lower ridge to the Southern Taconics: Mount Frissell, Brace & South Brace (40 miles away)
• Mount Tobias sits to the right of Cooper LakeLooking through Stony Clove notch to Lockwood Gap

And then, finally, you’re back looking south to Ticetonyk and the Ashokan Reservoir.

This is such an amazing view. Tremper Mountain is spectacularly and centrally located. It’s surrounded by so many Catskill 3500 mountains and beautiful lower peaks.

I can’t wait to revisit this tower in winter for the snowy version of these views.

Descent

Including stop-offs and rests, the climb to the summit took me about 1h 49m. The trek straight back down to the parking area took 1h 29m.