Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower
US 644, NY 26
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 644, NY 26 (view other lookouts in United States, New York) |
| Date Registered | July 31, 2005 |
| Location |
Adirondack Mountains Essex County, New York |
| Coordinates |
N 44° 14.110' W 073° 42.684' (view using Google Maps) N 44° 14' 07" W 073° 42' 41" N 44.235170° W 073.711400° |
| Elevation | 3,678 ft (1,121 m) |
| Built | 1919 |
| Administered by | NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation |
| Cooperators | Essex County Board of Supervisors |
Description
Hurricane Mountain is a solid rock summit in the Adirondack Mountains with a stunning 360-degree view. Since 1909 it has been the home of a fire tower. The first wooded structure was replaced in 1919 with the present 35' Aermotor LS-40 tower with a metal 7'x7' cab.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
1964 (Larry Paul photo-courtesy Bill Starr)
Vintage (c 1920) Photo (Bob Eckler Collection-courtesy Bill Starr)
Vintage (c 1920) Photo (Bob Eckler Collection-courtesy Bill Starr)
Vintage (c 1920) Photo (Bob Eckler Collection-courtesy Bill Starr)
Visit Reports
March 4, 2018: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Not Applicable |
| Good condition? | No |
| Comments: | Lookout needs new roof. Currently hanging and possibly missing part of the roof. Structure was recently painted and new wood placed on stairs and landings. Unable to see footers well with snow conditions. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | Solar panel installed and radio repeater box. |
Access and Signs |
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| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Three trailheads and trails serve this tower. The Friends of Hurricane Mt cares for all three trails. All are well signed. Parking is somewhat limited at all three trailheads. In winter the trailhead from Elizabethtown and Crows Clearing are not plowed. The one off 9N is occasionally plowed. The shoulder of the road on 9N is generally plowed. |
Staffing |
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| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Friends of Hurricane Mt has an active group and in partnership with the NYSDEC has done restoration and has plans for roof replacement as well. Plans are also underway to have staffing, and signage at the Observers cabin site. There is a privy about 1/2 way between the trail junctions and the summit area.
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Photos |
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April 2, 2017: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | At the time of visit, the fire tower still needed to be painted and to have a new roof. At the time of report (3-1-18) fire tower has been painted, still needs a new roof. NYSDEC and the Friends of Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower are working on plans for a new roof to be flown in and installed in 2018. Other work on restoring the tower has been completed. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Work is still in the process of being completed. Signage is planned in the near future. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | Yes |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Friends of Hurricane Mountain and the NYSDEC have been actively working on restoring the fire tower. Plans are in place for completion of that work with the installation of a new roof in 2018. Materials have been flown in by the NYS Police Helicopter for the work. Both volunteers and paid stewards have been able to serve as interpreters at the tower. Plans are in place for more of same, installation of signage, panoramic photos and a map.
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Photos |
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July 5, 2007: David Petrelli
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | No Response |
| Stairs OK? | No Response |
| Glass intact? | No Response |
| Good condition? | No Response |
| Comments: | While the 35' Aermotor LS40 steel tower and cab are in structurally sound condition the structure need considerable work to be safely accessed by the public. The structure is in need of painting and replacement of at least one of the cab roof panels. Additionally, all of the wood including steps and cab floor need to replaced. The bottom set of stair risers have been removed from the structure and summit. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
An active committee has formed and hopes to restore this tower for public use. However this structures fate is in question due to the current land classification the tower is located on.
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