If the tower cabin is closed, as it is most of the time, you can still climb the tower; just not all the way.

The wind up there is often bananas. You can hear it on this video. I didn’t stick around long. I took my shots and scurried down the tower.

It can be difficult to orient yourself up there but the observer’s cabin is a big help. Once you climb the tower, the roofline of the cabin points away, roughly to the east — toward the southern Catskills. The large mountain in the foreground is Graham. Beyond it, to the right, you can see Slide, Doubletop, Lone, Table and Peekamoose.

What surprised me is that, to the left of Graham, Panther Mountain was also visible. From this angle, it looked incredible.

I think Eagle Mountain and Haynes may also be visible. They’d be to the left of the above photo, out of frame.

The ruins of the repeater station on top of Graham were clearly visible from Balsam Lake. On a big screen, you can see them as a slight break in the line of snowy pixels on Graham’s summit.

I remember seeing Balsam Lake’s fire tower from Graham’s summit the last time I was up there. I love seeing one summit from another and then, later, reversing the view.

Now that I know what I’m looking at, I can’t wait to get back up there with my long lens.

Hike Out

At this point, most people turn around and head back out the way they came in. Head back toward the observer’s cabin and downhill to the junction. Turn left and head forMillbrook Road.

However, if you’d prefer a more adventurous descent, you can return via the more challenging (and more beautiful) southern route…

Balsam Lake’s Southern Ridge

When you first came into the clearing, you may have noticed another opening in the woods on your left. From the tower, if you look down at the picnic table, you’ll see it clearly.

This trail leads down the steep south ridge. The character of the trail going down the south side of the mountain is very different from the trail you came up. It’s steep and rugged, and much more authentically Catskills.

In these conditions, even with an inch or two of snow on the ground, I’d been able to bare-boot my way to the summit. Not for the descent. Before heading down, I put on my microspikes.

The trail descends gradually at first, until the first junction, where you’ll see signs on the right for Mill Brook Ridge.

Scenic View?

Not far down that trail, there’s a scenic view marked on the NYNJTC maps that I wanted to check out. You lose some elevation, and there’s an intense switchback which you can see on my Gaia track.

Through the trees, I saw what I think was Woodpecker Ridge. But I found no amazing lookout. Stepping off the trail to bushwhack didn’t seem wise; it’s very steep right there. More research needed, I think.

I re-climbed to the junction, turned right, and headed once again down the red trail.

Balsam Lake’s Spring

The spring not far below always seems to be flowing pretty well. You come to a large, very-rectangular boulder and the spring is just to its right, a small metal pipe sticking out of the mountain.

Below this, the trail is very steep. If there’s any snow or ice at all, you’ll absoutely need traction. I was glad I had my Hillsounds on.

Balsam Lake Lean-To

The next side-trail leads down to a very sweetly-situated lean-to. The blazing is patchy so keep your eyes peeled, but it’s not far down the trail.

I hung out here for a few minutes — it’s extremely peaceful — then headed back to the main trail.

The trail winds down the mountain, sometimes steeply, sometimes more easily. The blazing is pretty good. Eventually, reaching the bottom, you’ll reconnect with the blue trail.

This view is looking back up the trail I’ve just come down…

Turn north/left. It’s just a mile back to the junction with the red trail which you took up to the summit. I do trail maintenance on this section of trail. It’s nice and quiet here, too. I don’t think this trail mile gets used a ton.

The brook downhill to your right is Black Brook.

From the junction with the red trail that goes up to fire tower, it’s 2¼ very easy miles to your car.