Stissing Fire Tower Loop

July 14, 2024 – Pine Plains, NY

Issue: Strenuous

Size: Roughly 2.2 miles

Max elevation: 1460 ft. – whole elevation acquire roughly 950 ft.

Route kind: Lollipop Loop

Map: Thompson Pond/Stissing Mt Path Map

Trailhead parking: 499 Lake Rd, Pine Plains, NY 12567

No bathrooms on web site – No entrance or parking charges

Pull-off parking zone on shoulder for about 10 automobiles

Overview:

Stissing Mountain is a 1,402-foot-tall mountain in Pine Plains, NY. It’s composed of the identical Precambian bedrock because the Hudson Highlands however is separated from them or another Precambian outcrop by many miles. The terrain may be very steep and rocky, with many uncovered ledges, rocky crests, and talus slopes. There may be an exhibit dedicated to the mountain’s geology within the American Museum of Pure Historical past.

Stissing Mountain as considered from Thompson Pond Protect

A brief lollipop-loop of freshly marked trails begins at a small parking zone on Lake Highway. It steeply climbs the mountain to the 80-foot fireplace tower close to the summit. The Stissing Fireplace Tower gives vistas east to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont; Southwest to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and North to the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

Stissing Mountain Fire Tower as viewed from Thompson Pond Preserve

Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower as considered from Thompson Pond Protect

Stissing Mountain is a part of the Thompson Pond Nature Protect, managed by The Nature Conservancy. The metal tower is open to the general public, and it’s a standard climbing vacation spot. The tower is owned by the Pals of Stissing Landmarks, a residents group that shaped to rescue it from demolition.

Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower

Historical past:

Whereas the identify Stissing is most definitely of Native American origin, its etymology isn’t exactly recognized. Earlier types of the phrase are Tishasink, Teesink, and Stissink. In his e book, Aboriginal Place Names of New York, William M. Beauchamp says that its doable origin is the Algonkian phrase tahshin, which means “he raises himself”. There’s a legend that the mountain was named for an Indian chief who lived within the notch between Stissing Mountain and Little Stissing, its neighbor to the rapid north. On an outdated patent survey map drawn in 1734 by surveyor Richard Edsall, it’s known as Stissink Mountain. This can be the earliest written file of the identify of this mountain.

In accordance with the Forest Fireplace Lookout Affiliation, the construction on Stissing Mountain is a 79′ 6″ Worldwide Derrick E-4898 (circa 1932) tower, offered to the State of New York by the US Forest Service and erected by the Boston Corners – Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp in November and December of 1933.

Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower

This tower was first staffed in 1935 reporting 91 fires and 610 guests. This tower ceased operation someday between 1979 and 1982.

Forest Fire Observers - Stissing Mountain

Forest Fireplace Observers – Stissing Mountain

The ranger’s cabin, positioned roughly 200 toes to the north, burned in 1976.

Stays of the previous ranger cabin

New York State introduced in 1986 that the Tower was now not wanted and could be eliminated. Involved residents shaped Pals of Stissing Landmarks (FOSL) in 1986 to take over accountability for the Tower and preserve it open for the general public. In 1994, the Tower was turned over to FOSL, which maintains the construction right this moment. Hikers are welcome to entry the Tower at their very own threat and without charge. FOSL encourages all customers to ship donations to help within the upkeep of the Tower.

Starting in 1958, The Nature Conservancy acquired 530 acres of Stissing Mountain and Thompson Pond, forming the Thompson Pond Protect. The New York State Division of Environmental Conservation has additionally designated Stissing and Little Stissing Mountains, along with the Wappinger Creek Valley, a part of a Important Biodiversity Space known as the Stissing Mountain Wetlands Advanced.

In late 2022, the decrease components of the path was rerouted away from the eroded gully and is now properly graded with a number of switchbacks. New path markers had been added to exchange the outdated can tops that had been beforehand used.

In October 2023, Pals of Stissing Landmarks (FOSL) changed the steps and landings on the fireplace tower. The steps up the tower encompass 106 treads and 7 landings. It was estimated that about half of the treads had been authentic from 1933-34 when the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the tower. All 106 treads and the landings had been changed.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

The wooden is Larch and got here from the pilings of the outdated Tappan Zee Bridge.

Trails Overview:

From Lake Highway, the paths are largely woods roads that climb steeply up the mountain. The paths are marked with Pals of Stissing Landmarks (FOSL) spherical metallic discs.

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

The paths was once marked with rusty can tops and light orange or blue discs, with a few of the outdated markers remaining.

Blue Path – Stissing Mountain

The Crimson Path is steeper, however makes for a shorter route. The Blue Path makes use of an outdated deteriorating entry highway, which is extra gradual, however longer, making a loop hike doable.

The obtainable path map is outdated (2019) and solely exhibits one path up the mountain.

Hike Overview:

I did this hike in June 2022 on a chilly and intensely windy day. It was within the mid 50’s and cloudy that day, however the blustery wind on the high of the tower, made it really feel extra prefer it was within the low 40’s. Due to the excessive winds, we didn’t spend a lot time on the high of the fireplace tower.

Shortly after doing the hike, I learn that they added model spanking new blazes to the paths. It took two years to get again up there to replace the hike, however right here we’re. It was a lot hotter on this present day and the air high quality wasn’t excellent. It felt like a neater hike when it was cooler. The paths are properly shaded.

We solely noticed a couple of folks close to the fireplace tower and handed a lone hiker on our method down.

This Lollipop Loop was performed clockwise, ascending on Crimson (steeper) and descending on Blue. I want a much less steep descent which is gentler on the knees.

Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower Loop

As you possibly can see from the elevation graph, it’s fairly steep going up and down.

Elevation profile – Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower Loop

Please Word: There isn’t a view from the bottom of the fireplace tower, so for those who don’t climb not less than a part of the way in which up, you’ll not take pleasure in any of the marvelous views.

The Hike:

From the trailhead parking zone on Lake Highway, fastidiously cross the road and head into the woods on a steep, rocky footpath, following the crimson blazes. The path quickly bears left and climbs on switchbacks to keep away from an outdated eroded part of path.

Lake Highway Trailhead – Stissing Mountain

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

In about 350 yards, the Crimson Path reaches a junction with an outdated woods highway, the route of the Blue Path, which is marked by a pile of rocks. The Blue Path shall be your return route. For now, bear left to stay on the Crimson Path, which quickly turns into fairly steep and rocky.

Bear left on Crimson Path

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

Quickly, the grade moderates a bit and the path turns into much less rocky, however the steep climb quickly resumes. Alongside the way in which, there are restricted views via the bushes to the left of the path.

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

After about 0.4 mile of steep climbing (from the final intersection), you’ll cross stone steps to the best of the path (the stays of a former ranger cabin) and attain the summit ridge. Simply forward is the fireplace tower. There are not any views from the bottom of the tower, however you’ll wish to climb this nearly 80-foot tower to get a spectacular view of the countryside.

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

Stissing Fireplace Tower

The Worldwide Derrick Mannequin 1933 Fireplace Tower was developed via a cooperative effort between the Aermotor Firm and the U.S. Forest service. Though it’s marketed as a 90-foot tower, it’s precise top is 79′ 6″ with 8 flights and 106 steps.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

The wood plank steps and landings are reclaimed Larch and got here from the outdated Tappan Zee Bridge pilings.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

You’ll have to climb the fireplace tower not less than half solution to benefit from the views. There are not any views from the bottom of the tower.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

The Stissing Fireplace Tower gives views east to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont; Southwest to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and North to the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

Thompson Pond instantly beneath to the east.

View east from Stissing Fireplace Tower

View west with the Catskill Mountains seen within the distance.

View west from Stissing Fireplace Tower

Little Stissing Mountain is the height instantly north. Wanting northeast – Twin Island Lake (higher left), Stissing Pond (proper of heart). The Taconic Mountains within the distance, with the states of Vermont and Massachusetts behind them.

View northeast from Stissing Fireplace Tower

A peek via the home windows of the 7×7-foot metallic cab.

View southeast from Stissing Fireplace Tower

View southeast with the true summit of Stissing Mountain within the foreground.

View southeast from Stissing Fireplace Tower

After taking within the panoramic views from the cab of the tower, descend the tower fastidiously, and watch your head as you allow the cab.

Stissing Fireplace Tower

On the backside of the steps, look straight forward in search of blue blazes on a tree. Observe the blue blazes as they first flip left and descend on a slim footpath, quickly the Blue Path curves to the best and descends to a woods highway. Observe the blue blazes on this rocky highway, which descends steeply.

Blue Path – Stissing Mountain

After some time, the highway bears proper, passes rock ledges on the best, and continues to descend extra progressively on a much less rocky route. You’ll come to numerous forks and intersections; in every case, bear proper and keep on the woods highway, following the blazes, persevering with to descend progressively.

Blue Path – Stissing Mountain

Blue Path – Stissing Mountain

About 0.7 mile from the beginning of the Blue Path, close to the bottom of the fireplace tower, you’ll come to the fork you handed on the climb up the mountain, with the tree within the center and rocks piled up in entrance of it. Flip left right here, now retracing your steps on the Crimson Path. Observe the crimson blazes and descend the ultimate pitch to Lake Highway, the place the hike started.

Terminus of Blue Trail – Stissing Mountain

Terminus of Blue Path – Stissing Mountain

Crimson Path – Stissing Mountain

Lake Highway Trailhead – Stissing Mountain

Assessment:

A really pleasing hike with the payoff being the marvelous views from the highest of the fireplace tower. Not many individuals on the paths both time that I visited. The paths are properly marked and simple to observe. I’d undoubtedly do that hike once more.

Professionals:

Stissing Mountain Fireplace Tower, 360° views from the tower, scenic panorama, comparatively quiet space.

Cons:

An up to date path map could be good.

Take a hike!