Red Hill

"After Giant Ledge and Panther I stopped at Red Hill to round out the miles for the day and check off a peak on the fire tower challenge. Pretty tough climb for 2.8 miles out and back!" — pandyabear • Mar 17, 2019

"It was quite a haul to the trailhead for this little mountain. Had to park about a half mile before the trailhead parking as the road was very icy, despite having been plowed. The trail was broken out, which was good as there was a thick layer of ice over the snow. I was able to bare boot the entire trail up and down. The views from the tower were awesome!" — ne4kclimber • Feb 17, 2019

" Beautiful blue sky day with no clouds or wind. Parked in the winter lot then bare-booted down the road to the summer lot walking in tire tracks from a large truck that continued past the trailhead. Broke out a snowshoe track through the crust covered snow up to the tower and cabin. The thermometer on the cabin was registering 19*. Climbed to the upper most landing just under the cab of the tower to take in the fabulously clear view." — Nimblefoot • Nov 23, 2018

"Hiked all 5 Catskill Towers in 2 days to complete the Fire Tower Challenge. This one was hiked in total darkness. It was the easiest of the 3 Today, so not too bad. Ran into a Bear on the way up ! Staring at us in the darkness !" — UK-Ranger • Oct 21, 2018

"Red Hill Fire Tower #3 Fire Tower,, Easy hike but in the dark and alot of loose rock along the trail , also we believed we encountered a bear in the night with his eyes lighting up only under our head lamps,, Great scramble to the summit lol " — ramjet1963 • Oct 19, 2018

"After Halcott, I drove down to Red Hill. I had a difficult time finding the trailhead. I made quick work of the hike. I was the only one at the summit when I got there. Lovely views on the firetower of the southern Catskills. All of it was new to me. I headed back down and went back to the camp. " — newenglandwarrior • Aug 28, 2018

"A fire tower twofer with Balsam Lake mountain in the morning then Red Hill after lunch. Had to park in the winter lot as there was still 2’ of snow all the way down to the regular lot. Passed a family group; Grandpa/Grandma, Mom/Dad and two little ones in carriers; out for an easy stroll on a beautiful day. A bright sunny sky with temps. rising into the upper 40’s prompting for the sunglasses to go on. The trail was so packed down I could have left the winter flip flops in the car but they did come in handy when playing with shortcuts on the way down." — Nimblefoot • Mar 26, 2018

"After visiting the summit of Graham mountain I planned to do Sugarloaf but decided Red Hill would be a better choice with less ice and an earlier return to home. With the recent melt-out I was able to drive down to the usual parking lot. The lot itself was still icy and blocked by an orange construction cone so had to park along the road. Nice short trail with only small patches of ice that were easily avoided without deploying any spikes. A quick peek at the tower and cabin then descend as darkness was approaching and I had a two hour drive before picking up the wife. Surprisingly there was a single hiker ascending as I neared the register box. Most likely he is working on the Fire Tower Challenge." — Nimblefoot • Jan 31, 2018

"We did a two for day today figuring the commute down to the Catskills. Started out doing Balsam Lake and finished with Red Hill. Both Mountains were easy hikes, only good views from the towers." — hbotc • Dec 12, 2015

"The Catskills are a strange place & finding locations is not always easy. I ended up going to the local town hall & asking for directions to the tower. Once there, I had a nice hike to a wooded & grassy summit with an awesome tower awaiting me. The views from the top were outstanding." — billsussdorff • Oct 15, 2015

"Hiked with Tommy. Not having a plowed road added a bit to the hike but it was fairly painless. Our final firetower hike in the Catskills area. No wind at all, eerily silent at the summit even standing in the tower!" — kellieirene • Jan 21, 2015

"First snowstorm of the season was predicted, but held off. Still only 8 out of 15 hikers showed up for the Albany ADK trip we led to Red Hill Fire Tower. Everyone who went enjoyed it." — barbaratraver • Dec 8, 2001

"Frank and I checked out Red Hill for later ADK hike we'd be leading. Steep. My back and elsewhere were in deep pain, but I decided it wouldn't deter me from offering the trip to those interested in December." — barbaratraver • Oct 23, 2001