This cache is
located on top of Vanderwhacker Mountain not far from the fire
lookout tower.
The first structure to be built on top of Vanderwhacker was a
wooden survey tower built in 1880. The wooden tower is long
since gone but the 1880 survey mark remains in relatively
goodshape. This is one of the earliest known survey marks in
the Adirondacks.
The tower you see here today was built in 1918 after a series of
forest fires from 1903 to 1908 had burned most of the trees in the
area. That same year the watchmans cabin you will pass on the
way up was built. At that time a 35 foot tower was all that
was needed to view over the tree tops which had started to grow
back. Today the summet only offers a view to the north but
those venturing up the tower are rewarded with a 360 degree
breathtaking view.
This is a 2.7 mile hike each way during the summer and over 5
miles in the winter when the gravel road isn't plowed. To
find the trailhead take the gravel road leading west off route 28
where it crosses the Boreas river. There is a sign at this
junction. Take the gravel road for 2.6 miles to a fork with a
sign indicating Vanderwhacker to the right. The
trailhead parking is about 100 yards from that fork.
The trail is releatively flat for 1.4 miles where you will find
the watchmans cabin and out buildings. Take a break here
while you set on the open porch and shoot the bull. From the
cabin the trail gets rather steep until about 1.8 miles where it
eases up a little but still continues uphill to the summit.
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to Vanderwhacker fire tower and
will return often. If you would like to learn more about the few
remaining fire towers in New York State I would recommend two
books, "Views From On High" and "The Fire Observation Towers of New
York State. Both books should be available from your favorite
outfitter or book store.
