Balsam Lake
![fire tower shot from below](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Hunter-Fire-Tower-for-Bramley-460x300.jpg)
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2024
Everything you need to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
![view from balsam lake fire tower of balsam forest below](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Balsam-Lake-Loop-2626-460x300.jpg)
Balsam Lake Fire Tower (updated)
Incredible 360° wilderness views make this hike spectacular at any time of year.
![scenic sunset view from Pakatakan Mountain](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pakatakan-0021-460x300.jpg)
18 Amazing Western Catskills Hikes
Some of the best day hikes are only a few hours from New York City. The Western Catskills have it all!
![rock outcop](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Seager-Rocks-460x300.jpg)
Thru-Hike Doubletop, Graham & Balsam Lake
This hike had it all: stream crossings, herd paths, bear prints, a canister, a memorably steep descent, a true bushwhack, a rugged ascent, an ice grotto, some old ruins and, to top it all off, a fire tower with amazing sunset views.
![trail junction](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/trail-maintenance-junction-460x300.jpg)
Trail Maintenance, Balsam Lake, Fall 2019
Finished my 2019 maintenance by tidying up a few things between the two junctions on the south side of Balsam Lake. When I first took on this trail section in the spring, it hadn’t been tended to in many years and was very overgrown.
![fire tower view across conifer forest](https://mountain-hiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Balsam-Lake-8723-460x300.jpg)
Graham Mountain & Balsam Lake
This long day-hike combines Graham and a loop around Balsam Lake’s summit.