Blue Mountain Fire Tower/Hiking Trail

Trailhead is off Route 30 in Blue Mountain Lake. The hike is 4 miles round trip with 1,560 feet of ascent to a 3,759-foot summit. The grade is moderate at first, then sustained and rocky over the upper half; the last mile is the work. The payoff is the fire tower, which is restored and climbable, and the view from the cab takes in Tirrell Pond, the Eckford Chain (Blue Mountain, Eagle, Utowana), and the High Peaks to the northeast on a clear day. This is on most Adirondack hiking lists for good reason: it's the right mix of effort and reward for a half-day plan with kids 10 and up or a casual fit adult. The Adirondack Experience museum sits at the base of the mountain, which makes the obvious pairing: hike in the morning, museum in the afternoon, dinner in Indian Lake or Long Lake. Expect ice on the upper rocks through April. Year-round access; the tower is sealed only in extreme weather.