The Catskill Chronicle

TOWN OF DENNING, NY – Join Aaron Bennett, Catskill Mountainkeeper Regional Director and Alan White from the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development on a hike to the Red Hill Fire Tower. The event will be held on Saturday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. Trailhead on Dinch/Coons Road in the Town of Denning. 

The 60′ tower was de-commissioned in 1991, and rather than tear it down the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation put its future in the hands of dedicated volunteers who restored it for public enjoyment ten years ago. 

Hikers will visit the old observer’s cabin at the summit, which has been turned into a museum that honors all of the observers who once watched over the southern Catskill Mountains.

Throughout the hike, Aaron and Alan will talk about the history of land use, the current threats to the forest and region and much more.  From atop the tower they will point out the various mountains and valleys from this elevated position that offers a 360-degree view. 

This hike is part of the annual Catskill "Lark in the Park", which brings together people and organizations to heighten awareness of the Catskill Mountain Region in New York State. 

The 2.5-mile hike is moderate and will take approximately 4 hours. Participants should bring a lunch and plenty of water, good hiking boots are a must, dogs are permitted and pre-registration is required by September 30th to Aaron at aaron@catskillmountainkeeper.org or call him at 845-701-7612.