Spruce Mountain (Fire Tower)
August 15, 2020 | Porter Corners, NY
Important note: Part of this trail is closed to hikers during big game hunting season. Please check the DEC site for more information on when exactly the season begins and ends (typically in late September through early December.)
The background: I had this hike on my radar, but always planned to either hike it as I was driving into the ADK, or on my way out, due to its location. This is in the southern section of the park near Corinth and only about 20 minutes from Saratoga Springs. I had just finished a week-long summer hiking vacation in the Adirondacks, so chose to make this a stop on my way home. This was a nice way to break up the 5-6 hour drive home from Lake Placid.
Getting there: It’s kind of neat that you’ll technically park outside the Adirondack Park, and then cross into the blue line once you get on trail. You can plug Spruce Mountain Fire Tower Trail Head into Google maps, and the accurate trailhead parking will appear. From the south, you’ll take route 9N north, turn left onto Miner Road, and then right onto Spruce Mountain Road. The trailhead is at the end of the street where you can also park. Your car should have no problems on this road in 3-season weather.
The route: Spruce Mountain is a 2.6 mile out-and-back hike, located in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest. I read it used to be an old logging area, and there is an old road that must have been formerly used to approach the tower. You will not be taking this road, as a new trail route has been formed as of a few years ago. I arrived later in the afternoon, so a few groups were heading down at this point as I made my ascent. This is a very well-marked trail that you will follow 1.3 miles to the 73-foot tower, one of, but not the tallest standing fire towers in the Adirondacks. You will pass through a pleasant forest setting on a gradual incline, with it never becoming overly steep at any given time. I was a bit alarmed as I did hear some rifle shots in the distance, but after a quick search, I confirmed it was no where near hunting season yet, and I concluded I would be just fine. I love summer hiking and all the daylight that comes with it, so enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine and the fact that I mostly had the trail to myself now. I soon found myself on the treed-in summit, staring up at the tower in the distance. I exchanged pleasantries with the one man I saw climbing down from the tower, as he wished me a good rest of my hike. As I started to climb the tower, I noticed the landing platforms on the tower were much larger than I had experienced. I knew this would be one of the taller towers, but man, I really felt it as I climbed and climbed! I finally made it to the cabin up top and soaked in the distant views to the south, Vermont to the east, and the Adirondacks to the north. I used this time alone to reflect on the last few days I had spent in the Adirondacks and said a quick gratitude mantra before sadly waving buh-bye to the mountains I love most. I soon began my ascent, as I knew it was time to head home to Long Island.
Concluding notes: This tower is massive! Wakely and Spruce are said to be two of the tallest standing towers in the park – I have yet to visit Wakely, but Spruce really did feel that much taller than any of the (many) towers I have explored thus far. The rebuilt tower and trail are fairly new, and I truly believe this hike can be enjoyed by many due to its moderate terrain and shorter length. I am sure this would also be an excellent early autumn hike, before the trail closes to the public for hunting season.
As always, carry out anything and everything you carry in!
My recommendation for an ideal day and what you can pair this hike with:
About 30 minutes north: Hadley Mountain Fire Tower is another great, moderate fire tower hike with views and an open summit.
For another hike, drive about 25 minutes north to Potash Mountain (one of my absolute FAVS) in the Lake Luzerne area.
OR Drive south on 9N to explore the town of Saratoga Springs (a different kind of hike😉)
