2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge: Red Hill Mountain

Red Hill Fire Tower marked our fourth hike in the 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge. With an elevation of 2990 feet, this 4.3-mile out-and-back was one of the easier hikes but was also one of our favorites.

We scored a small victory by being the first ones to arrive at the trailhead, which never happens. However, it didn't last long. Just before we started our hike, the parking lot filled up with members of the Catskill 3500 Club, a group dedicated to hiking all 35 High Peaks in the Catskills.

A recent snowfall had us wondering about the trail conditions but thankfully, the trail was packed down well for most of the way and there wasn't really a need for microspikes, even though we did wear ours. The trail had a gradual incline most of the way until the end which was only a bit steeper but did have some unpacked snow.

We reached the fire tower well ahead of the other group of hikers and ended up having the place all to ourselves the entire time. Even with the recent snow, the tower was free of snow and ice and the wind at the top was mild so we were able to enjoy the view. The tower is in a nice clearing with picnic tables, a ranger station, and probably one of the nicest outhouses we've seen — it had toilet paper, a light, and was even decorated.

After enjoying the solitude at the tower, we decided to extend our exploration and continued on the trail. The snow got a bit deeper but wasn't too bad. After around 15 minutes we were welcomed with a nice scenic viewpoint before returning back to the fire tower.

On our return, we finally met up with the other hikers near the fire tower who were also starting their descent. Since the trail was a single track with the snow, navigating our way down required some patience and maneuvering. But it was a great chance to experience the camaraderie of the Catskills hiking community — everyone was friendly and courteous, making way for each other with a smile.

Once again, our Ancash Packable Daypack performed well on the hike. Even though we didn't need to use our hiking poles, having dedicated attachments for them that still allow easy access to all compartments and keeps the backpack balanced is a huge plus.