Blue Mountain Trail to Blue Mountain Fire Tower is a 4.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Blue Mountain Lake, New York that features a great forest setting and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
hiking
nature trips
snowshoeing
forest
views
bugs
muddy
rocky
scramble
snow
Red trail markers make this trail very easy to follow. The trail is almost exclusively in a rocky drainage course until the summit block is reached 1.9 miles in. The trail is shaded until the summit. Trailhead can become crowded so, you might want to get an early start. Poles and hiking boots or high tops are recommended as there are lots of rocks and some roots.
Started at 8 am and had a fresh coat of snow on trail, pretty easy hike, microspikes needed after about the first mile, fire tower recently restored and was open
Beautiful, sunny November day for a hike. The views from the fire tower were stunning; standing in the center of Adirondack Park with mountains all around. But the transition from fall foliage just a few weeks ago to winter was almost startling. A few muddy patches on the trail, but the streams of water that seem to typify Adirondack trails were almost all frozen solid - make sure you have traction! The freshly fallen snow blanketed the forest in white and the 28 degree chill felt refreshing. It was winter on Blue Mountain and the crowds consisted of 8 other hikers throughout the late-morning to afternoon. I agree with other hikers that 4.0 miles is an understatement. My watch clocked it closer to 5 miles round trip.
Hiked on Monday when less crowded. Agree that RT logs in between 5.5-6 miles. Rocky and slippery when wet so high top hiking boots recommended (still amazes me how many ppl wear sneakers... or is it just me?!?) and as others mentioned would be icy in morning so be prepared. Last mile or so very pretty, not unlike a rain forest. Nice views from tower. Also pretty views East-southeast of summit unless you fear bad vibes emitting from cell tower. I’d rate this a moderate hike.
This is not 4 miles in total, it’s more like just shy of 6. The FT is another .7ish from the 2 mile marker. Moody is an understatement and you pass several little brooks. Traction or spikes much needed and I personally don’t recommend bringing kids first thing in the morning as everything was covered in ice. This is a beautiful hike and I’d do it again
Great views. Rained on the way down which made footing difficult. I would definitely do this one again
This was my first Adirondack hike on 10/6/19. We were looking for something a little challenging and this fit the bill. We were the first to arrive at 8 am and we made it to the summit in just under an hour and a half. I would not recommend this hike for younger kids, lots of slippery spots especially because everything was still frozen early in the morning. The view from the top is breathtaking though, well worth the hike. Great view from the fire tower but also another great view near the power station. Highly recommended but it does warrant the HARD rating especially going down.
We hiked 10/6/19 - one of the best days of the year to hike. No bugs 50 degrees, sunny and no wind. This trail is not 4.2 miles. It is 5.72 miles in and out from the sign in area. When you get to the 1 mile mark you think this is relatively easy. One more mile - no sweat. Then the small rocks appear, then large rocks, boulders, massive flat granite with roots all over. Reality - 1.72 miles more to top. And all is mostly wet and slippery because you are hiking a what can only be described as a river bed. Leaves at this time require extra caution. This rock trail is fed by underground springs from the very top. Yes - from the top! None of this is impassable but there are so many rocks, boulders and slippery areas to navigate over such a long period that there is a tendency to let up on caution. Don’t! I slipped on a dry rock. You’ll notice most navigate “the stream” on the way up while taking side areas in woods on the way down. The reason is because you can’t see and feel your footing as well on the way down. Please do not bring kids in pack packs! Our goal when hiking is about getting to a nice view whether a 2 mile or 8 mile hike. There is no view from the top of the mountain. Flat cement remnant and you must climb the fire tower for view which is nice. This fire tower was totally refurbished in 8/2019. New wood treads secure chicken wire and totally painted. But- if you are afraid of heights, you you might want to try nearby Castle Rock which we found much much more enjoyable and a better more photographic view. We did this hike to experience it and to find out why it was rated hard.
Really enjoyed this trail. The view from the fire tower was amazing. If you walk behind the fire tower near a building and cell tower, there is a really nice view that could be easily missed.
Great time! First mile is a breeze, can be deceiving at first until you start the real climb up to the summit. Watch out for wet leaves on wet rocks, way down is like a slip n'slide if you're not careful. Trail maintenance crews were out on the trail Oct. 5.
Nice hike, it was pretty slippery. My only issue was that their wasn't a very good view unless you were up in the firetower.
Nice day hike. Arrived at 11am on a Sunday and the parking lot was about half full. Trail starts out fairly easy for the first mile and steeper the second. Lots of wet, slippery rock towards the top which made for an interesting descent. Beautiful 360 degree views from the fire tower at the summit, as long as you overlook the two cell towers within view. Would recommend to those new to hiking but looking for a challenge or a practice run before hitting a high peak.
enjoyable. large parking lot only 1/4 full by 9 am on sunny Saturday. seemed more moderate than hard - no scrambles. glad I came on dry day as might be slippery if wet. lovely view with well-maintained tower.
Such a hard steep and at the same time satisfying trail. Uphill is more comfortable than downhill. All these wet rocks and roots help you to climb, but awfully slippery on the way back. Views are great, fire tower add more value to the final destination. I'm not sure that bringing your dog is a good idea. Correct me if I am wrong. Took us 2,5 hrs to get there and back and a few times we were passed by really agile backpackers.
Great hike! Fire tower at top, view is amazing!
The only reason I give this trail of four instead of a five star is that at the top of the mountain there’s let’s say some man-made towers that don’t add much to the scenery however the top of the mountain is beautiful moss covered balsam pine forest and the fire tower makes the view all the more impressive if you ignore the towers It’s relatively easy at first but then becomes quite difficult midway and up to the top so it’s a good work out great scenery at the top ;you won’t be disappointed ....
Great hike on a perfect day to close out the summer. One of my favorites in the ADK’s!
