The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us and it’s a great time to complete the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge before the kids head back to school. All you need to do are visit the fire towers at:
• Overlook Mountain
• Hunter Mountain
• Red Hill
• Balsam Lake Mountain
• Tremper Mountain and -
• Upper Esopus Fire Tower (located at the Catskills Visitor Center)
Take some fun photos, download and complete the Challenge Log at: extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/firetowerchallengelog23.pdf and email it to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov along with your favorite photos. The Challenge Log can also be submitted by mail to New York State of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1020, or you can also complete the log at SurveyMonkey www.surveymonkey.com/r/CFTC2023 The towers must have been visited between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and entries must be postmarked by January 6, 2025. The first 1000 finishers will receive a one-year subscription to DEC Conservationist magazine, and all finishers receive a commemorative 2024 Fire Tower Challenge Patch and an entry into the grand prize drawing. Participants who have completed the challenge more than once will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.
Remember to check the weather conditions before you head out. The Catskills Visitor Center also posts weekly trail updates for the Catskills, as well as other great events happening in the Catskills and as always, make sure to Love Our New York Lands, Hike Smart, and Leave No TraceTM.
