Milton Station Fire Tower – Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

March 22, 2026 – Jefferson, New Jersey

Problem: Average (1 quick, steep climb)

Size: Roughly 3.5 miles

Max elevation: 1,378 ft. – whole elevation acquire roughly 500 ft.

Route kind: Out and again

Map: Morris County Highlands Trails Map #126 – Fireplace Tower Path

Trailhead parking: Snow Bowl Space Weldon Highway, Jefferson, NJ 07849

Paved parking space – No restrooms on website

Hours: Open Every day, Dawn – Sundown

 

Overview:

Rising above the wooded ridges of Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the Milton Station Fireplace Tower stands as each a scenic vacation spot and a working piece of New Jersey’s wildfire detection community. In-built 1937, this 80-foot metal lookout nonetheless performs an energetic position in the present day, providing a novel mix of historical past and performance. A brief however regular hike results in its base, the place these keen to climb are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views throughout the NJ Highlands—and, on clear days, a distant glimpse of New York Metropolis on the horizon.

Historical past:

The Milton Station Fireplace Tower was erected in 1937 atop Bowling Inexperienced Mountain as a part of New Jersey’s increasing hearth detection community. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) by means of the Woodlands Protecting Enlargement Undertaking and consists of an 80-foot metal framework produced by the Worldwide Derrick Firm. Positioned for optimum visibility, the tower provides broad views of the Hudson Highlands and close by forests, enabling observers to identify and report fires throughout a big space.

Snow Bowl Ski Space was as soon as a well-loved native ski spot in Jefferson, New Jersey, situated on Bowling Inexperienced Mountain. Working from the early Nineteen Sixties by means of the mid-Seventies, it was established by Dr. Frank Johnson and have become recognized for its early adoption of snowmaking expertise. The mountain supplied a vertical drop of roughly 400 to 470 ft and featured a base lodge that even included a swimming pool—an uncommon amenity for a small ski space.

Fashionable with native households and the infant boomer technology, the resort finally closed as a consequence of a mixture of delicate winters and rising competitors from bigger ski locations. At present, the previous ski space is preserved as a part of Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the place traces of its previous can nonetheless be discovered alongside the paths.

Bowling Inexperienced Mountain was preserved by means of a partnership between the Belief for Public Land, the Morris County Open House Preservation Belief Fund, and the Morris County Park Fee, which acquired the 96-acre property from a personal funding firm. The land has since been completely protected and included into Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, the county’s largest and one among its hottest parks.

Beforehand closed to the general public, this acquisition considerably expands entry to open house within the space. Possession of the property was formally transferred to the Morris County Park Fee on December 31, 2020, and it’s now open for guests to discover. New trails within the Snow Bowl space of the prevailing park have been developed to attach straight with the newly preserved land, bettering entry and making a extra cohesive path community.

Parking:

Each trails are located inside Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, on the location of the previous Snow Bowl Ski Space and Bowling Inexperienced Mountain. The trailhead and parking space are situated on Weldon Highway, simply south of Jefferson Township Center Faculty.

There are not any toilet services on website.

Trails Overview:

The Snow Bowl Loop is a roughly one-mile path that follows a piece of the Jefferson Excessive Faculty cross-country course. It options a mixture of crushed stone and pure footing, making for a simple, snug stroll. The route passes alongside a pond and small streams, with a number of remnants of the world’s former ski operations seen alongside the way in which. Benches are positioned all through the loop, providing spots to sit down and take within the environment. It’s an excellent alternative for a brief, relaxed outing.

The Fireplace Tower Path is a more difficult route, following a dust and gravel service highway up Bowling Inexperienced Mountain. The climb is regular and pretty steep, tracing what was as soon as a part of an previous ski slope. Close to the highest, you’ll attain a communication tower, however the hike continues past this level. From there, the path ranges out because it crosses the summit ridge, finally resulting in the hearth tower on the true excessive level.

In the event you arrive whereas the tower is staffed, the Milton Fireplace Observer might invite you up into the cab. In the event you get the chance, it’s properly well worth the climb—the views from the highest greater than justify the trouble.

Each trails are marked with white indicators with crimson arrows connected to picket posts and/or timber. The Snow Bowl Loop can be marked with yellow blazes painted on timber.

Hike Overview:

This hike had been on my record of fireplace towers to go to. Whereas on the shorter aspect, it delivers a satisfying punch with its steep climb as much as the communications tower, adopted by 133 steps to the highest of the 80-foot hearth tower. There are not any views on the base, so that you’ll must climb not less than partway above the treetops to take pleasure in any surroundings.

On the day we visited, the world was flippantly trafficked. We solely encountered a gaggle heading towards the tower on our return and some folks close to the Snow Bowl Loop. Utilizing the Avenza Maps app is useful for staying on monitor. General, it’s a rewarding hike with a pleasant mixture of problem and surroundings on Bowling Inexperienced Mountain.

This hike is primarily an out-and-back route, with a brief detour alongside the Snow Bowl Loop.

As proven within the elevation profile beneath, the primary 0.6 mile of the hike is kind of steep, whereas the rest of the route is comparatively straightforward.

The Hike:

The hike begins on the Snow Bowl Space trailhead close to the bottom of Bowling Inexperienced Mountain. Move by means of the gate and bear left, the place the Fireplace Tower Path begins as a large gravel service highway. The route is properly marked, with directional indicators posted on picket markers alongside the way in which.

The Fireplace Tower Path begins with a comparatively degree stretch earlier than dipping barely and passing by means of one other gate. Alongside the way in which, you’ll encounter a number of junctions with different trails, together with the Snow Bowl Loop, which you’ll take later. For now, proceed straight forward on the Fireplace Tower Path.

The Fireplace Tower Path begins to steepen as you attain a black-and-yellow striped signal marked with the quantity “8.” That is an object, or hazard, marker designed to attract consideration to a selected function—on this case, a drainage crossing. The quantity identifies its location alongside the route. You’ll cross a number of extra of those markers as you proceed ascending the service highway on Bowling Inexperienced Mountain.

After about 0.6 miles from the trailhead, the Fireplace Tower Path reaches a communication tower, although this isn’t the ultimate vacation spot. From there, the path continues alongside the mountain ridge till you attain the hearth tower. As soon as on the ridgeline, the trail ranges out, providing a comparatively straightforward stroll. This part follows an eroded dust highway, which is mostly simpler to navigate than the gravel service highway beneath.

On this part, the path is much less clearly marked, and a number of other roads department off from the principle path. Preserve an eye fixed out for path indicators to remain on the right track. Utilizing the Avenza Maps app is a useful method to navigate and make sure you stay on the right path.

This construction seems to be the counterweight basis for a bullwheel ski carry, a remnant from the times of the Snow Bowl Ski Space.

The yellow boundary markers on Bowling Inexperienced Mountain are used to obviously outline park property traces. They point out the place county-managed land begins and ends, serving to each guests and employees determine which areas are a part of the park. For hikers, these markers are primarily informational, serving as a visible reminder to remain on maintained trails and respect protected areas.

The white indicators on Bowling Inexperienced Mountain are posted by the NJDEP to mark Wildlife Administration Areas (WMAs). These lands are managed for wildlife habitat, conservation, and controlled public recreation resembling looking, mountaineering, or birdwatching. The indicators inform guests of the protected standing and description guidelines, seasonal restrictions, and permitted actions.

After passing the yellow boundary marker, it’s roughly 0.4 miles to the hearth tower. Even with the timber naked, the tower isn’t seen till you’re fairly shut. When the path reaches a fork, bear proper and observe the quick path to the tower. The Fireplace Tower Path ends at this level.

In 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the Milton Station Fireplace Tower as a part of the Woodlands Protecting Enlargement Undertaking. The tower serves as a key commentary level within the high-value urban-wildland interface of northern New Jersey. From its vantage, it has line-of-sight to all seven towers within the division, in addition to the Sterling Fireplace Tower, the final remaining energetic lookout tower in New York.

The Milton Station Fireplace Tower is an 80-foot metal construction constructed by the Worldwide Derrick Firm, that includes a 7-by-7-foot metallic cab, and is located on Morris County park land.

In the event you’re planning a go to to the Milton Station Fireplace Tower, you may name the quantity beneath to seek out out when the tower will probably be staffed.

The Milton Station Fireplace Tower options 11 landings and a complete of 133 steps from the bottom as much as the cab. There are not any views from the bottom of the tower, so that you’ll must climb not less than partway above the treetops to benefit from the surrounding surroundings.

On the Milton Station Fireplace Tower, the higher touchdown of the cab is often locked for security and preservation causes. Whereas guests can climb the tower and entry a lot of the steps and landings, the very high platform is restricted to forestall accidents and restrict put on on the historic construction.

Even with the higher touchdown locked, you may nonetheless take pleasure in wonderful panoramic views from the decrease sections of the cab and the landings slightly below the highest. These vantage factors rise above the treetops, giving a sweeping perspective of the encompassing forests, mountains, and, on clear days, distant landmarks throughout northern New Jersey.

From the highest of the Milton Station Fireplace Tower, on a transparent day, you may see the Manhattan skyline rising within the distance. The view stretches throughout the Hudson River Valley, with clusters of high-rises showing as a putting distinction to the encompassing forested hills of northern New Jersey.

After climbing the tower and having fun with the views from slightly below the cab, we sat on the base to calm down for a couple of minutes. A Jeep pulled up—it was the hearth observer reporting for obligation. He climbed the tower, unlocked the cab, and gave me permission to go inside. I wasn’t thrilled about making the climb a second time, however I did it…and survived.

The Fireplace Observer at Milton Station Fireplace Tower performs a vital position in monitoring the encompassing forests for indicators of wildfire. Historically, observers are stationed within the cab throughout hearth season, scanning the horizon for smoke and utilizing instruments like alidades (Osborne Fireplace Finders) and maps to pinpoint areas and report them to rangers or native hearth departments.

Along with this protecting position, the observer acts as a steward of the world, offering public engagement and security oversight. They usually welcome guests, reply questions in regards to the tower’s historical past and operations, and should permit visitors to climb the cab when it’s protected.

After taking within the views from the tower, retrace your steps alongside the Fireplace Tower Path, passing the communication tower and descending Bowling Inexperienced Mountain through the gravel service highway.

Close to the junction of the Fireplace Tower Path and the Snow Bowl Loop stands a stone chimney, a surviving remnant of the unique Snow Bowl ski lodge.

On the junction with the Snow Bowl Loop, flip left. In the event you’re able to return to your car, observe the Fireplace Tower Path again to the trailhead. In any other case, turning left permits you to proceed and lengthen your hike.

The Snow Bowl Loop Path passes a small however scenic pond, surrounded by timber and pure vegetation, providing a peaceable spot to pause, benefit from the reflections on the water, and hearken to the light sounds of close by Russia Brook.

The Snow Bowl Loop Path winds over a mixture of stone and pure soil, making a diverse but light floor underfoot. Shaded by forest timber and dotted with occasional open clearings, the path provides a leisurely, easy-going stroll the place hikers can benefit from the sights and sounds of streams, wildlife, and the encompassing woodland.

Quickly after the pond, the Snow Bowl Loop Path winds alongside Russia Brook, the place moss-covered rocks and gently flowing water create a serene, shaded hall. The brook provides a soothing soundtrack to the hike, with small cascades and trickling streams enhancing the peaceable, forested setting.

The Snow Bowl Loop Path meanders by means of shaded woods, twisting and turning alongside light rises and dips. It quickly opens right into a sunny clearing the place a bench invitations hikers to pause and take within the view, providing a quiet spot to calm down and benefit from the surrounding panorama.

The ultimate stretch of the Snow Bowl Loop Path gently winds again towards the junction with the Fireplace Tower Path, descending by means of an open clearing earlier than reaching the trailhead space.

Overview:

A hike up Bowling Inexperienced Mountain to the Milton Station Fireplace Tower, paired with a loop across the Snow Bowl, makes for a surprisingly well-rounded and pleasing outing. Whereas the general distance is on the shorter aspect, the regular climb up the hearth highway provides simply sufficient problem to maintain issues attention-grabbing. The ascent—particularly the steeper part alongside the previous ski slope—will get your coronary heart pumping, and the ultimate reward comes with the climb up the hearth tower itself. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to entry the cab, the sweeping views above the treetops are completely well worth the effort.

What actually makes this hike stand out is the distinction between the rugged climb and the peaceable surroundings beneath. The Snow Bowl Loop provides a very completely different expertise, with its light terrain, pond views, and quiet stretches alongside Russia Brook. It’s the proper method to ease into or wind down from the extra strenuous climb, including a relaxed, scenic component to the hike.

The world additionally tends to really feel much less crowded than many different close by locations, which solely provides to its enchantment. Between the historic character of the hearth tower, the remnants of the previous ski space, and the number of landscapes packed into a comparatively quick hike, this can be a rewarding journey that provides slightly little bit of the whole lot.

Execs:

Nice views from the hearth tower, attention-grabbing historical past with CCC and previous ski space remnants, diverse terrain, scenic pond and stream, flippantly trafficked and fewer crowded, well-marked and straightforward to observe trails, mixture of problem and rest, benches and spots to relaxation alongside the Snow Bowl Loop.

Cons:

No views except you climb the hearth tower, hearth tower entry not all the time assured, minimal signage in some areas with no map, restricted standout options on the summit past the tower.

Take a hike!

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