Red Hill Fire Tower — Attraction in Town of Denning

I'm not going to lie: I was genuinely a bit nervous at the peak of my Red Hill Fire Tower experience.

My trip was during the winter, and I didn't bring crampons or anything that would help with the fact that the trail largely follows the path in which water would flow. This fact does not matter in most of the spring, summer, and fall. However, in the winter, this oversight means that walking uphill up an ice sheet is a bit more challenging than it otherwise would be. But I came to hike to and ascend the centenarian fire tower, and I was not to be deterred.

When I reached the peak, I realized just how hard the wind was blowing (according to my phone, gusts were over 40 miles per hour, but who's counting?). Then, as I ascended the tower, I realized that the wind was blowing more fiercely with each step I climbed. As I reached the top of the tower, I was dismayed to find the observation deck padlocked. Someone must have thought that it would be a good idea to deter people from climbing the tower in the winter. Obviously, this person has never met me. After staring in disbelief, I turned to look at the awesome view and realized just how much I could feel the tower swaying in the wind. It was at this point that I realized that I'm an idiot.

Hanging on for dear life, I managed to take pictures for the next twenty minutes.

The whole way down, I cursed myself and swore that I'd learned my lesson and would never repeat such an ill-advised misadventure.

I spent the next weekend clambering over frozen boulders.

I think I'll go back...

Loved this hike!! Part of the ADK and Catskills fire tower challenges. Easy parking off a main road, road and lot both plowed in winter. It's not a huge lot, but this hike isn't super popular in the winter anyway. Well marked start for trail. Lots of natural stone steps. You can see the neversink at the start. The trail weaves between boulders and the switchbacks were installed thoughtfully so nothing gets too steep. It's a gentle, fun easy-side-of-moderate hike. After the junction with the old dinch road trail it gets a bit more steep, but not bad. Cabin of the fire tower at the top was closed in winter. Beautiful views from near the top anyway. 4.3 miles round trip-- use this denning road trail and not the older dinch road one, this one is clearly well loved and maintained. I am told there is a shorter way up via a service road on the other side, but I...

It is a pretty rugged walk from the parking lot - the path is full of rocks and tree roots and eroded in many places so bring sturdy footwear, preferably with ankle support. Approx 840' elevation gain in around 1.4 miles.

The cabin at the top of the fire tower is staffed by volunteers seasonally at weekends but even when it is closed you can still climb to the top and make the most of the view.

Find written directions to the parking lot before you head out - my Garmin GPS routed me via Rudolph Rd part of which in fact is private so I ended up making quite a detour. The NYNJTC map appears to show that Old Dinch Rd connects with Denning Rd...