Stop #7: Gateway to NYS trails

Whether your troop is seeking a day hike or a week-long adventure, the Catskill region has it all, mountain peak views, more than a quarter million acres of forests, and 300+ miles of trails. The Catskills are protected as "forever wild" by Article XIV of the New York State Constitution. New York's protected forests in the Catskills and Adirondacks range from state Dept. of Environmental Conservation-operated campgrounds to remote backcountry.

In all likelihood you are hiking this trail during summer camp, but if at all possible, troop leaders should consider a long weekend up at OSR to enable hiking one of the five Fire Towers in the Catskill range, two of which can be easily incorporated into a stay at Onteora.

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests across New York State from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. There were 19 fire towers in the Catskill region and 52 in the Adirondacks. Beginning in the 1980s, the State of New York began to phase out the use of fire towers for spotting for-est fires, and in 1990, the last 5 towers still in operation were closed. That said, volunteers now staff the towers so visitors can experience the views—usually on weekends.