Balsam Lake Firetower Leanto

polskikrol · 06-20-2012, 09:12 PM

Does anyone know if the Leanto depicted just south of the Balsam Lake Firetower on the NYNJTC 9th Edition (2010) mapset still exists? Looking to do some 100 highest in the area this weekend.

TFR · 06-20-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polskikrol

Does anyone know if the Leanto depicted just south of the Balsam Lake Firetower on the NYNJTC 9th Edition (2010) mapset still exists? Looking to do some 100 highest in the area this weekend.

It's still there and in great shape!

DSettahr · 06-20-2012, 11:04 PM

I stayed there 2 weekends ago. Still there, and in great shape! Actually, as I understand it, the current lean-to isn't all that old- maybe 15 years or so. I guess it was built to replace an older lean-to just up the trail that was discovered to be over 3500 feet in elevation...

Bring a pair or long underwear or something to keep warm- the added elevation caused it to get pretty chilly there at night when I was there.

Laurie Rankin · 06-21-2012, 06:27 AM

There were actually two lean-tos a bit higher up, one with a dirt floor and one with a wooden floor right next to each other. They were both above the excellent spring and determined to be just above 3500 feet. Replacement was done as a joint effort of the 3500 Club and the NYSDEC. A spot was chosen below the spring and below 3500 feet. The materials were helicoptered in and building of the new lean-to done in the largest cloud of black flies ever to be found in the Catskills - just brutal! But a great spot now! The following winter the DEC burned the two old lean-tos.

DSettahr · 06-21-2012, 08:27 AM

Here's a picture I took while I was there:

polskikrol · 06-22-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSettahr

Bring a pair or long underwear or something to keep warm- the added elevation caused it to get pretty chilly there at night when I was there.

Actually like it being a bit on the cooler side

Not sure how cool it will be this weekend since in NJ we have been tackling 100 degrees recently. Still waiting for SnowPeak titanium flasks to be available again from Japan so I can place in an order; some single malt goes a long way to keeping one warm at a lean-to fireplace.

polskikrol · 06-25-2012, 10:20 AM

Instead of sleeping at this lean-to as I initially planned, ended up cooking dinner and sleeping in the car

Decided to go for all 6 100 highest peaks in the Big Indian Wilderness Area and by the time I got back to the Balsam Lake Mountain PA I was spent and exhausted (the GPS odometer stated 32 miles

). Did not feel like gaining another 500+ feet after 11PM, when I was done cooking dinner.

The next day, woke up early and stuffed down 4 peanut butter sandwiches. Despite the better judgement of my feet and left thigh, decided to give a try at the other 4 100 highest peaks in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest to complete Section 1 from the Catskills 67 book. Flew past the lean-to and firetower on my way to Alder Lake and eventually Barkaboom. Ended up making good timing so stopped by the Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower on my return trip. Enjoyed the views maybe an hour and half before the impending rain. On the way down, did stop by the lean-to and convinced the sign stating 0.25 miles is quite wrong. The lean-to was much closer. Really nice spot and hope to have a 'relaxing' trip up here with some friends some time this year. Made it to the car with some dusk and finished up making dinner before the sky opened. Ate in the car and made my way back to NJ.

TFR · 06-25-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polskikrol

On the way down, did stop by the lean-to and convinced the sign stating 0.25 miles is quite wrong. The lean-to was much closer.

I agree, it's more like .1 miles or so.

06-20-2012, 09:12 PM	#1
polskikrol Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 37	Balsam Lake Firetower Leanto Does anyone know if the Leanto depicted just south of the Balsam Lake Firetower on the NYNJTC 9th Edition (2010) mapset still exists? Looking to do some 100 highest in the area this weekend. __________________ ADK46: 15/47 ADK Fire Tower Challenge: Adirondacks 0/23, Catskills 5/5 AMC NH4K: 48/48 Catskills 3500: #1927 #769W Catskills 100 Highest: 68+/102 CL-50: #435 Long Path: 228mi/347mi+ New Jersey 100 Highest: #9 52/52

06-25-2012, 10:20 AM	#7
polskikrol Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 37	Instead of sleeping at this lean-to as I initially planned, ended up cooking dinner and sleeping in the car Decided to go for all 6 100 highest peaks in the Big Indian Wilderness Area and by the time I got back to the Balsam Lake Mountain PA I was spent and exhausted (the GPS odometer stated 32 miles ). Did not feel like gaining another 500+ feet after 11PM, when I was done cooking dinner. The next day, woke up early and stuffed down 4 peanut butter sandwiches. Despite the better judgement of my feet and left thigh, decided to give a try at the other 4 100 highest peaks in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest to complete Section 1 from the Catskills 67 book. Flew past the lean-to and firetower on my way to Alder Lake and eventually Barkaboom. Ended up making good timing so stopped by the Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower on my return trip. Enjoyed the views maybe an hour and half before the impending rain. On the way down, did stop by the lean-to and convinced the sign stating 0.25 miles is quite wrong. The lean-to was much closer. Really nice spot and hope to have a 'relaxing' trip up here with some friends some time this year. Made it to the car with some dusk and finished up making dinner before the sky opened. Ate in the car and made my way back to NJ. __________________ ADK46: 15/47 ADK Fire Tower Challenge: Adirondacks 0/23, Catskills 5/5 AMC NH4K: 48/48 Catskills 3500: #1927 #769W Catskills 100 Highest: 68+/102 CL-50: #435 Long Path: 228mi/347mi+ New Jersey 100 Highest: #9 52/52

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06-20-2012, 11:04 PM	#3
DSettahr ɹǝpuɐɯɯoɔ Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,787	I stayed there 2 weekends ago. Still there, and in great shape! Actually, as I understand it, the current lean-to isn't all that old- maybe 15 years or so. I guess it was built to replace an older lean-to just up the trail that was discovered to be over 3500 feet in elevation... Bring a pair or long underwear or something to keep warm- the added elevation caused it to get pretty chilly there at night when I was there.

06-21-2012, 06:27 AM	#4
Laurie Rankin Jr. Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tillson, NY Avatar: My Granddaughter signs in for the first time! Posts: 496	There were actually two lean-tos a bit higher up, one with a dirt floor and one with a wooden floor right next to each other. They were both above the excellent spring and determined to be just above 3500 feet. Replacement was done as a joint effort of the 3500 Club and the NYSDEC. A spot was chosen below the spring and below 3500 feet. The materials were helicoptered in and building of the new lean-to done in the largest cloud of black flies ever to be found in the Catskills - just brutal! But a great spot now! The following winter the DEC burned the two old lean-tos.

06-21-2012, 08:27 AM	#5
DSettahr ɹǝpuɐɯɯoɔ Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,787	Here's a picture I took while I was there:

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