Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower
US 265, NY 20
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 265, NY 20 (view other lookouts in United States, New York) |
| Date Registered | June 15, 1998 |
| Location | Essex County, New York |
| Coordinates |
N 44° 24.105' W 073° 30.774' (view using Google Maps) N 44° 24' 06" W 073° 30' 46" N 44.401755° W 073.512904° |
| Elevation | 2,165 ft (660 m) |
| Administered by | NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation |
| Cooperators | NYSDEC Region 5, Friends of Poke-O-Moonshine and Adirondack Architectural Heritage |
Description
The mountain probably got its name from a “bag of corn whiskey” that some traveler found stashed there many years ago. Another and likely possibility is that the name was derived from the Algonquin name for the hill: Pohqui moosie. Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower was first used as a lookout site in 1912. The 35’ Aermotor LS-40 tower with 7’x7’ metal cab was constructed 81 years ago in 1917. A popular hiking destination in the Adirondack Park, it was deactivated in 1988 and considered for removal. In 1997 the Town of Chesterfield passed a resolution supporting renovation of the tower. The Adirondack Heritage and the Adirondack Mountain Club joined in a Friends of Poke-O-Moonshine tower project. The above photo was taken by Randy Kneer in August 2007.
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
1917 Osborne fire finder and plotter (Paul Hartmann photos)
Panorama map for Saint Regis Mountain 1919
2003 restoration
2003 restoration
2001 Marty Podskoch flyover
1977 Bob Eckler photo
Visit Reports
March 16, 2018: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | This well restored fire tower (restored by Friends of Poke O Moonshine with AARCH and DEC) is well cared for. It does need a coat of paint. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Signage is in place. Trail is well marked. The Observer's trail is in good condition. The historic Ranger's trail has been a project of the Friends of Poke O Moonshine group since 2011. They have done fundraising and hired professional trail crews to rehab this trail. Work continues at this time. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
The Friends of Poke O Moonshine hire a summit steward each season. The Friends of Poke O Moonshine do maintenance on an an ongoing basis and the trail rehab work as noted above.
|
Photos |
|
|
|
September 17, 2016: Jack Kelley
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | The fire tower, maintained by members of the FFLA, is in amazing condition. The cab of the tower is locked unless a steward is present, and luckily, the steward, and main guy behind the tower's restoration, Tom, was hiking with me and a few others as part of the FFLA Northeastern Conference 2016. The cab has a replica alidade, as well as signs showing what can be seen from the tower. The windows and everything on the tower have been repaired, and the views- and everything abouy the tower- are great. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The trails to the tower are very well marked and in great condition. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
While the tower is no longer used for spotting fires, lookout stewards are sometimes in the tower to give information on it's history.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
Photos |
|
Photo courtesy of Jack Kelley |
|
August 12, 2015: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Fire Tower is well cared for by the Friends of Poke O Moonshine group. This tower receives a large number of visitors. The summit area is well taken care of by the group with an emphasis on interpretation and care of the fragile summit areas. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Both the new trailhead parking area and the trail are well signed. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
During the summer months.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Friends of Poke O Moonshine and the NYSDEC restored this fire tower in 1997. The tower is staffed each summer. Inside the cab are historical displays, a circular map, and panoramics. The site of the Old Observer's cabin has been preserved. A new trail and parking lot has been made to the summit along with restoration of the old Ranger trail which is actively underway at this time.
|
Photos |
|
|
|