All Over Albany

Map quiz: up there

A new map quiz: Can you guess what the points on the map represent?

Here's a hint: They're places that are up there.

The answer -- and a clickable version of the map -- are after the jump.

The answer is...

(scroll down a bit)

... fire towers around the state.

In the early part of the 20th century fire towers were built in many of the state's wilderness areas as a way to keep a look out for fires. Around the 1980s the towers were decommissioned for that use, and many of them fell into disrepair.

But a handful of them still stand today, though, and they've become popular hiking destinations. Many of the towers have even been restored and allow you to climb them to get a better view. And what better time to take in the view than during foliage season.

The clickable map below includes some information about fire towers around the state. The DEC blurbs are clipped from the department's fire tower page. And there are links to various websites and blogs with further info about hiking to the fire towers.

Also: The Adirondack Mountain Club has a "Firetower Challenge" in which people try to hike to at least 23 fire tower summits in the Adirondacks and Catskills. And here's a page on Summit Post keeping track of which towers are open for climbing. (It appears to be out of date on a few.)

If you head out to hike to one of these towers, be sure to check conditions ahead of time and take along the appropriate clothing and equipment. And things change, so information in the map below might not be up to date by the time you go -- so again, check ahead and follow whatever signage and restrictions are on site. (You know that.)

Some locations are approximate.

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Earlier on AOA:
+ Quick trip: Beebe Hill fire tower
+ How to hike the High Peaks and not be That Guy