This is a new Geocache to replace the original Summit Fire Tower II
cache whose Park permit expired in April 2009. This series of
caches is probably the oldest continuing placement in the park
having originally been placed in 2002. Please be sure to visit the
tower and the information board at N 42° 07.536 W 078° 42.075
In the early 20th century the Adirondack and Catskill forests
lost over 1 million acres of forest to fire. In response NYS
established the forest patrol in 1909. Summit Fire Tower was built
in 1926 and served continuously until 1970. In 1999 a local
committee was formed to preserve and restore the tower. There is a
movement in the Northeast U.S. to preserve these Adirondack style
fire observation towers. You can obtain a great patch for $5 (or a
tee shirt for $10) at the Red House administration building that
will help to fund this restoration.
Park at the Roscoe hiking trail parking lot at the top of the
Summit Road (Park St coming out of Salamanca). Total walking
distance to reach the cache will be about .53 mile. You can
continue to walk the hiking trails for several miles if you wish.
They are cross-country ski trails in the winter so the elevation
changes are gradual. There is a great overlook on the Leonard Run
Loop that would be a direct continuation of your hike from the
cache.
You can also pick up 2 Benchmarks and two reference marks along
with the cache. Look up the following marks in the benchmark part
of the geocaching site: NC1032 - the tower itself, NC1033 – 2nd
order horizontal control. You can also see the remains of the cabin
that housed the attendant just inside the woods east of the
tower.
PLEASE! NO FOOD OR CANDY OF ANY KIND IN THE CACHE! REHIDE THE
CACHE CARFULLY. FEE NOTICE – From Memorial Day to Labor Day (when
the beaches are open) there is a $7.00 vehicle use permit charged
to enter the park. The rest of the year the vehicle use permit is
$6.00 and is only charged on Saturday and Sunday.
Have fun and enjoy one of my favorite places in the world.
