Hadley Mountain Fire Tower (Adirondack Park)

Hadley Mountain Fire Tower (Adirondack Park)

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 3.44 miles

Elevation: 1,535 feet

Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: ADK 29er, Adirondack Firetower Challenge, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

It was now the second weekend of April break, and I was in New Jersey, but had to end my day in northern Vermont. I spent some time looking at ways to break up the drive, and landed at the Hadley Mountain Fire Tower on the edge of the Adirondack Park! The drive from NJ to the trailhead was long but easy, and I made it to the empty trailhead just before 7:30am. It was a crisp 48 degrees with a few bugs hovering about, but overall all was good! The access road was dirt and narrow but in good condition. I took care of my Code Yellow just off the parking lot, feared a Code Brown, pulled it together, and got to my adventure!

I chose to be bold and start cold, which was a good move (as always), as I immediately started sweating as the trail got right to work. I had a bit of hip chafing from yesterday's hike in Harriman, but it wasn't burning too badly. Skies were overcast as I climbed up to the trail register that was missing a writing implemenet. 

The trail continued past the register on a wide, eroded trail. The dark, dense forest opened up to a young hardwood area where I noticed a #2 on a tree - maybe this is an interpretive trail? (Yes! You can download the brochure from https://hadleymtfiretower.org/). The #2 was in reference to bear marking on the trees. 

I enjoyed the smell of warm, wet forest as the trail began to climb more steeply. I misssed #3 (bedrock) but did notice marker #4 (natural sculptures). There were lots of small critters around the forest floor doing their morning chores and I enjoyed some hazy tree views behind me. The trail bends at a signed arrow, crosses a creek, and arrives at marker #5 (stream crossing). 

The trail was well-blazed in red and I was sweaty! I climbed up what was the beginning of MANY slabs, which at this moment were wet, but not slippery. I was worrying about the descent, but I'd let that be a later problem. I noticed a tree view to some undercast in the distance and also some early spring budding (as opposed to the almost-leaves of Harriman State Park). 

The slabs got a bit dicier and eventually, the trail turned off of the slabs and continued on steep, rocky footing (which was a welcome change). I zig-zagged through another ledgy spot and climbed up an adorable, ~3ft tall chimney. I felt one single rain drop as the trail continued to rise up to the col between Hadley Mountain and it's neighbor peak (#6 - The Resting Rock on Panther Pass). 

Once in the col, which I guess is also known as Panther Pass, I enjoyed a heavenly walking break before the trail narrowed and began to climb again. The climbing now was much easier as I collected spider webs and continued to fear what my stomach was capable of (remember the Code Brown scare from earlier? It's back!). I passed marker #7 ("Pioneer" White Birch - the first trees to grow after a forest fire) and enjoyed the sound of woodpeckers hard at work.

The trail climbed through a rocky notch and turned left at marker #8 ("Sharp Turn Left!") before steepening in a grassy, ledgy area, which led to a wonderful tree view to a lake. This was followed by another wonderufl walking break and another ledge view to nearby mountains. It even smelled like a pine candle up here - I was so happy.

The climbing became easy at this point as I soon arrived at the old warden's cabin and privy (with a spooky little cave, too). There was a quick scramble and push to the true summit, which was mostly open with wonderful views, the tower, a USGS disc, and a summit bolt. 

The tower climb wasn't too awful and the cabin was open with a small ladder that was terrifying, but worth the extra emotional push. The views north were exceptional, but I couldn't make out the Catskills due to clouds. The tower was marker #10 (Top and the Tower!) and I had missed #9, but it was at the cabin and cave. 

I took a bunch of photos and then started my descent right at the one-hour mark. I was thrilled to have encountered absolutely zero signs of winter, and I was back at Panther Pass in 15 minutes! On a side note, I really love hiking in New York specifically because you can tell which trail plackards are new and which are old - I find it super fun!

I significantly slowed down on the wet slabs further down and did NOT fall. I did my best to be good and avoid going off-trail, but a few stretches were too dangerous with the moss and moisture to go straight through. The lower slabs, which were dry, were an absolute dream! Soon enough I was back at the car, solidifying that this was a zero-person hike! It was now 60 degrees, and I was on my way to Vermont! I soon drove past a porcupine on the access road followed by some turkeys. Just after, on Eddy Road, I got a great view of Hadley Mountain. The rest of my drive to and over Lake Champlain was just beautiful.

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Hadley Mountain Trail (red blazes).

- Summit Hadley Mountain, climb fire tower, return to car.

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

Photo Album