Fire Tower Challenge
Are you up for the challenge?
Experience the Adirondacks with SUNY ESF.
I hiked the ESF Fire Tower Challenge
Challenge Rules
Hike both of ESF’s fire towers in the same year, fill out the form, and earn yourself a sticker!
Goodnow Fire Tower
Originally built in 1922, this 60-foot-tall tower is one of the tallest in the Adirondacks!
It makes its home on top of Goodnow Mountain, a 2,664 ft peak in Newcomb, NY. You
can see this beautiful mountain cresting over others right from Route 28-N.
Hike Stats
Round trip: 4 miles
Elevation gain: 1,075 ft (about the height of the Empire State Building)
To get there
Once you get on Route 28, take it to the Newcomb area. The trailhead is marked with signage. It is about 1.5 miles west of the Adirondack Interpretive Center.
Cathedral Rock Fire Tower
Ranger School students moved this tower from Tooly Pond Mountain in the mid-1900s and it’s called Cathedral Rock at the Ranger School its home ever since. This tower provides stunning views of the area at 1,725 ft elevation while also allowing for unique summiting opportunities (grab your bike or your snowshoes).
Hike Stats
Round trip: 2 miles
Elevation gain: 225 ft
To get there
Once you turn onto Ranger School Road, follow it down until you reach Arboretum Road which should bring you behind the Ranger School. Take the first left back to a large parking area.