Hadley Mountain Fire Tower
Hadley Mountain is moderate round trip hike of 3.6 miles that is located near Hadley, NY
CURRENT NEWS
CURRENT NEWS
Check out our Facebook page and follow our Instagram (@hadleymtftcommittee) to stay up to date on the tower!
If you would like to donate to the Hadley Mountain Fire Tower Committee, you can send a check or use Venmo.
Donation checks can be written out to Cornell Cooperative Extension and sent to:
Hadley Fire Tower
C/O Steve Mackey, Treasurer
21 Mac Arthur Dr
Glens Falls, NY 12801-2314
Donations using Venmo (@Stephen-Mackey-19 (can be done by leaving a message along with the payment. Please specify on how much you are donating and if you would like to purchase a patch. Please remember to include your address with your payment.
LOCATED
Located near the town of Hadley, NY the trail-head is about 1.5 miles down Tower Road after it branches off from Hadley Hill Road which can be reached after turning onto the Stony Creek Road at the Hadley "four corners".
This trail is popular among seasoned hikers, families, and dog lovers alike as they enjoy the moderate trek of 3.6 miles round-trip that follows red trail markers from the parking lot to the summit. After an ascent of 1525', hikers can delight in amazing views ranging from the Sacandaga Lake to Vermont, the Catskills, and to both the southern Adirondacks and their northern high peaks.
In the summer, hikers may be greeted by a young summer steward working on an internship and hired by the Hadley Fire Tower Committee. When not greeting the public, these stewards help maintain and repair the trail and structures under the supervision of the local forest ranger and stay in the primitive quarters of the old ranger cabin which can be seen just prior to the final turn up to the summit and its restored fire tower.
HISTORY
In 1903, 1908, 1911, and 1915, parts of the West Mountain Ridge, including Hadley, and surrounding forrest burned due to wildfires. The 40 foot steel fire tower, originally from Ohmer Mountain, was erected on Hadley Mountain in 1917. The tower was closed by DEC in 1990.
Hadley Mountain Fire Tower observers include: William Madison (1917,1919), Albert Madison (1918), Wesley Wells (1918), John Briner (1920-1936), Emory Briner (1936), Henry Perrotte (1937-1949), Peter Burnham (1949-1954, 1956-1963), George Arndt (1955), unknown (1964), George Vickary (1965-1989), and David Dietze (1990).
The Hadley Mountain Fire Tower Committee was formed in 1995 to work with DEC personnel to restore the observer's cabin and fire tower. Workers replaced the tower's windows, bolts, stairs, landings, and various other things by materials that were flown in to the summit by a state helicopter. In 1996, the tower footings were replaced and in 1998, the tower was repainted. The tower's roof was replaced during the summer of 2000.
Hadley Mountain Fire Tower is part of the Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge.
VIEWS FROM HADLEY MOUNTAIN
VIEWS FROM HADLEY MOUNTAIN
From the North: Crane Mountain and a few of the Adirondack High Peaks
From the South: Great Sacandaga Reservoir, the Mohawk Valley, the Helderberg and Catskill Mountains
From the West: Spruce Mountain and various forests
From the East: Hudson River, the Moon, Three Sisters, the Willsboro Mountain Range, Lake Champlain, and the Green Mountains in Vermont
SUPPORT
Much of what our committee does is contingent upon public support. While we have begun to receive some AFTA reimbursements towards our summer steward's salary, monies are still needed to "pay up front" and to purchase brochures, patches, children's hiker cards, and whatever else might arise. If you have enjoyed a hike up Hadley, or appreciate our efforts, please consider donating to help support our efforts. Anyone donating $30.00 or more will have their name put into a drawing (usually around February) for the chance to win a $75.00 gift certificate from EMS. We thank these donors and all who continue to support our efforts. Congratulations to our 2022 winner, Gene & Carolyn Kaczka. We'd also like to thank Jackie Kline for our new website for the ongoing support and patience in helping us maintain it.
Donation checks can be written out to Cornell Cooperative Extension and sent to:
Hadley Fire Tower
C/0 Steve Mackey, Treasurer
PO Box 4501
Queensbury, NY 12804
C/0 Steve Mackey, Treasurer
PO Box 4501
Queensbury, NY 12804
Or through Venmo (@Stephen-Mackey-19) by specifying whether you are making a donation or purchasing a patch or patches and to include your address. Message can be left with the payment.
Any inquiries, such as joining the committee, participating in trail or repair work, etc. as well as reports on vandalism or debris on the trail can be directed to Linda Ranado at lranado@hotmail.com