Spruce Mountain Fire Tower
US 1182, NY 40
May 2016 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 1182, NY 40 (view other lookouts in United States, New York) |
| Date Registered | January 26, 2017 |
| Nominated by | Laurie Rankin |
| Location |
Wilcox Lake State Forest Saratoga County, New York |
| Coordinates |
N 43° 12.982' W 073° 54.373' (view using Google Maps) N 43° 12' 59" W 073° 54' 22" N 43.216373° W 073.906211° |
| Elevation | 2,031 ft (619 m) |
| Built | 1928 |
| Administered by | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
Description
The Spruce Mountain Fire Tower was renovated in the Fall of 2015 and reopened to the public. The new Spruce Mountain Trail and renovated tower is the result of a successful partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Saratoga County, and Saratoga PLAN. The new trail is currently managed by the Adirondack Mountain Club. In accordance with the conservation easement agreement for the lands the trail crosses, the trail is closed to public use during the big game hunting season
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
December 27, 2017: Laurie Rankin
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Recently renovated fire tower is in excellent condition except in September 2017 vandalism occurred and 2 windows were broken out of the cab. The radio repeater box housed in the cab was also vandalized. The cab is now kept locked. Windows have not been repaired. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | Radio repeater equipment is in place on the fire tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | Trailhead is well signed as is the trail. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Opportunities do exist for both a volunteer group who is willing to do maintenance and a volunteer group who would be willing to man the tower on weekends during the busy summer and fall months until hunting season when the tower is closed. This is a very family friendly hiking trail. It accessibility makes it a great place for a volunteer presence.
|
Photos |
|
Photo courtesy of Laurie Rankin |
|
July 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: | This tower, since restoration, is in great condition. The plexiglass in the windows is not scratched up, so there still is a view. All the wood is in great condition, too. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Unsure |
Photos |
|
July 17, 2016 photo |
|