Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
June 18, 2022 – Pine Plains, NY
Problem: Strenuous
Size: Roughly 2.1 miles
Max elevation: 1460 ft. – whole elevation acquire roughly 1,001 ft.
Route kind: Lollipop Loop
Map: Thompson Pond/Stissing Mt Trail Map
Trailhead parking: 499 Lake Rd, Pine Plains, NY 12567
No bathrooms on web site – No entrance or parking charges
Pull-off car parking zone on shoulder for about 10 automobiles
Overview:
Stissing Mountain is a 1,402-foot-tall mountain in Pine Plains, NY. It’s composed of the identical Precambian bedrock because the Hudson Highlands however is separated from them or another Precambian outcrop by many miles. There’s an exhibit dedicated to the mountain’s geology within the American Museum of Pure Historical past. Close to the summit of Stissing Mountain is a hearth tower that’s nearly 80 ft excessive, about 20 ft taller than the common fireplace tower. The Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower offers vistas east to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont; Southwest to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and North to the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Stissing Mountain is a part of the Thompson Pond Nature Protect, managed by The Nature Conservancy. The metal tower is open to the general public, and it’s a common climbing vacation spot. The tower is owned by the Pals of Stissing Landmarks, a residents group that shaped to rescue it from demolition.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Historical past:
Whereas the identify Stissing is most actually of Native American origin, its etymology is just not exactly identified. Earlier types of the phrase are Tishasink, Teesink, and Stissink. In his e-book, Aboriginal Place Names of New York, William M. Beauchamp says that its attainable origin is the Algonkian phrase tahshin, that means “he raises himself”. There’s a legend that the mountain was named for an Indian chief who lived within the notch between Stissing Mountain and Little Stissing, its neighbor to the speedy north. On an previous patent survey map drawn in 1734 by surveyor Richard Edsall, it’s referred to as Stissink Mountain. This can be the earliest written file of the identify of this mountain.
In line with the Forest Hearth Lookout Affiliation, the construction on Stissing Mountain is a 79′ 6″ Worldwide Derrick E-4898 (circa 1932) tower, offered to the State of New York by the US Forest Service and erected by the Boston Corners – Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp in November and December of 1933. This tower was first staffed in 1935 reporting 91 fires and 610 guests. This tower ceased operation someday between 1979 and 1982.
Forest Hearth Observers – Stissing Mountain
The ranger’s cabin, positioned roughly 200 ft to the north, burned in 1976.
stays of the previous ranger cabin
New York State introduced in 1986 that the Tower was not wanted and could be eliminated. Involved residents shaped Pals of Stissing Landmarks (FOSL) in 1986 to take over duty for the Tower and preserve it open for the general public. In 1994, the Tower was turned over to FOSL, which maintains the construction right now. Hikers are welcome to entry the Tower at their very own threat and for gratis. FOSL encourages all customers to ship donations to help within the upkeep of the Tower.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Starting in 1958, The Nature Conservancy acquired 507 acres of Stissing Mountain and Thompson Pond, forming the Thompson Pond Protect. The New York State Division of Environmental Conservation has additionally designated Stissing and Little Stissing Mountains, along with the Wappinger Creek Valley, a part of a Important Biodiversity Space referred to as the Stissing Mountain Wetlands Advanced.
Trails Overview:
The Hearth Tower may be reached by trails main from the east facet of Stissing Mountain from Lake Highway and from State land on the west, from Hicks Hill Highway on the Stissing Mountain A number of Use Space.
From Lake Highway, the topic of this hike, the paths are woods roads that climb steeply up the mountain. The paths are marked with rusty can tops and light orange or blue discs.
rusty can high blaze – Stissing Mountain
light orange blaze – Stissing Mountain
The paths was unmarked, however evidently somebody took the time so as to add some markers lately. There are numerous woods roads and/or footpaths that department off of the principle trails. So long as you’re seeing orange or blue blazes on the bushes, you’re on the proper path.
The Orange Path is steeper, however makes for a shorter route. The Blue Path makes use of an previous deteriorating entry highway, which is a extra gradual, however longer ascent, making a loop hike attainable. At the beginning of the path, there may be an evidence with light marker.
Lake Highway Trailhead – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Lake Highway Trailhead – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Hike Overview:
This hike has been on my checklist for fairly a while and I used to be glad to lastly have had the prospect to do it. Except for the 360° views from the highest of the tower, the hike itself was an excellent work out and never many individuals on the paths. It’s cooler and really windy on that tower and correct gear comparable to a sweater or windbreaker must be packed, even within the hotter months. I made the error of leaving my gentle fleece within the automobile and regretted it. It was within the mid 50’s and cloudy, however the blustery wind on the high of the tower, made it really feel extra prefer it was within the low 40’s. Due to the excessive winds, we didn’t spend a lot time on the high of the fireplace tower.
Please Notice: There isn’t a view from the bottom of the fireplace tower, so for those who don’t climb a minimum of a part of the way in which up, you’ll not get pleasure from any of the marvelous views.
This Lollipop Loop was completed clockwise, ascending on Orange (steeper) and descending on Blue. I desire a much less steep descent which is gentler on the knees.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
It’s a steep climb on the Orange Path, gaining almost 1,000 ft of elevation in slightly below a mile.
elevation profile – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
The Hike:
From the trailhead car parking zone on Lake Highway, rigorously cross the road and head into the woods on a steep, rocky footpath, following each blue and orange blazes. In about 200 ft, the path involves a fork, the place the blazes bear left. Then about 5 minutes later, the Blue/Orange Path reaches an intersection with an previous woods highway. Flip left onto the woods highway, which quickly turns into fairly steep and rocky.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Trailhead
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Trailhead
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Trailhead
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Trailhead
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
A brief distance later, you’ll attain one other fork within the path, with a tree in the course of the fork and plenty of rocks piled in entrance of it. That is the place the paths cut up. The suitable fork, the route of the Blue Path, will probably be your return route, however for now, bear left on the Orange Path and proceed to observe the woods highway up the mountain. Quickly, the grade moderates a bit of and the path turns into much less rocky, however the steep climb quickly resumes. Alongside the way in which, there are restricted views via the bushes to the left of the path.
veer left on the Orange Path
veer left on the Orange Path
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
After about 0.4 mile of steep climbing (from the final intersection), you’ll cross stone steps to the precise of the path (the stays of a former ranger cabin) and attain the summit ridge. Simply forward is the fireplace tower. There are not any views from the bottom of the tower, however you’ll need to climb this nearly 80-foot tower to get a spectacular view of the countryside.
stays of the previous ranger cabin
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
The Worldwide Derrick Mannequin 1933 Hearth Tower was developed via a cooperative effort between the Aermotor Firm and the U.S. Forest service. Though it’s marketed as a 90-foot tower, it’s precise peak is 79′ 6″ with 8 flights and 97 steps.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
It’s a closely galvanized free-standing batter-legged hurricane-proof construction with a 7×7-foot metallic cab.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
The wood plank steps are exhibiting indicators of age, with some dry rot seen. I stayed away from stepping within the heart of the steps as I ascended the tower.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Useful tip: Anytime that I climb any type of previous steps/stairs, I guarantee that I place my ft/weight the place the helps are. I have to say, I’ve climbed a number of metal fireplace towers, however by no means on such a windy day. To its credit score, this 89 yr previous tower didn’t have a lot shake to it. It held its floor like a champ throughout the excessive winds that we encountered.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
The Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower offers views east to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont; Southwest to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and North to the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
View southeast with the precise summit of Stissing Mountain within the foreground.
view southeast – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
View southwest with the precise summit of Stissing Mountain within the foreground.
view southwest – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
View west with the Catskill Mountains seen within the distance. Kaaterskill Excessive Peak close to heart with the Devils Path Peaks to the left and the Blackhead-area summits to the precise.
view west – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Related shot as above however zoomed in.
view west – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Thompson Pond instantly under to the east. The Nature Conservancy has a path that’s 2.5 miles lengthy that encircles the pond.
view east of Thompson Pond – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Trying northeast – Twin Island Lake (higher left), Stissing Pond (heart) and a part of Thompson Pond (decrease proper). The Taconic Mountains within the distance, with the states of Vermont and Massachusetts behind them.
view northeast of Twin Island Lake (left) and Stissing Pond
Little Stissing Mountain within the heart, with Twin Island Lake and Stissing Pond to the precise.
view northeast – Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
After resting out of your steep 1,000-foot climb and taking within the panoramic views, descend the tower and on the backside of the steps, look straight forward searching for blue blazes on a tree. Observe the blue blazes as they bear proper and descend on a slender footpath, then flip left on the subsequent intersection and descend to a woods highway. Flip proper onto this rocky highway, which descends steeply. After some time, the highway bears proper, passes rock ledges on the precise, and continues to descend extra steadily on a much less rocky route. You’ll come to numerous forks and intersections; in every case, bear proper and keep on the woods highway, following the blazes, persevering with to descend steadily.
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
An enormous wall of Taconic volcanic rock to the precise of the path.
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue Path – Stissing Mountain
About 0.7 mile from the beginning of the Blue Path, close to the bottom of the fireplace tower, you’ll come to the fork you handed on the climb up the mountain, with the tree within the center and rocks piled up in entrance of it. Flip left right here, now retracing your steps on the Blue/Orange Path. On the subsequent fork, bear proper and descend the ultimate pitch to Lake Highway, the place the hike started.
junction with the Orange Path
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Blue/Orange Path – Stissing Mountain
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Parking Space – Lake Highway
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower Parking Space – Lake Highway
Evaluate:
A really exhilarating hike with the payoff being the marvelous views from the highest of the fireplace tower. Not many individuals on the paths on the day that we visited. The paths are simple to observe. Simply keep in mind that so long as you’re seeing blazes on the bushes, you’re heading in the right direction. I’d positively do that hike once more.
Professionals:
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower, 360° views from the tower, scenic panorama, quiet space.
Cons:
Higher path map and a freshening up of the blazes could be good.
Take a hike!
Stissing Mountain Hearth Tower
Sources:
