Blue Mountain (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Mountain |
|
|---|---|
Blue Mountain Lake with Blue Mountain in the background
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,750 feet (1,140 m) |
| Listing | Adirondack Hundred Highest 67th |
| Geography | |
 Blue Mountain
Location in New York Adirondack Park
Blue Mountain
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | E of Blue Mountain Lake, New York, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Blue Mountain Lake |
Blue Mountain is a tall peak located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in New York State, United States. It stands proudly east of a small town called Blue Mountain Lake in Hamilton County. This mountain reaches a height of about 3,750 feet (1,143 meters).
If you enjoy hiking, the trail up Blue Mountain is about four miles long. You will climb about 1,559 feet (475 meters) from the start of the trail. The starting point for the hike is at an elevation of 2,200 feet (671 meters). Blue Mountain is also home to the Blue Mountain Fire Observation Station. This important station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
_winter_summit_tower_view_02.jpg)
Contents
History of Blue Mountain's Fire Towers
Blue Mountain has a long history of helping to spot forest fires. Over the years, different towers have stood on its summit.
Early Fire Towers
In September 1911, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the first fire tower. This tower was made of wood and stood about 30 feet (9 meters) tall. The CCC was a program that put young men to work on important conservation projects.
Just a few years later, in 1917, the wooden tower was replaced. A new, stronger tower was built. This one was a metal Aermotor LS40 tower, standing 35 feet (11 meters) tall. These towers were crucial for spotting fires in the vast Adirondack forests.
Blue Mountain's Role in National Defense
During the time known as the Cold War, there was a concern about national security. The United States Air Force set up special radar stations. These stations were called "gap-filler" radar stations. They helped to detect aircraft over a range of about 65 miles (105 kilometers).
One of these important stations was built on Blue Mountain. It started working in January 1959. The station helped keep an eye on the skies for several years. It was eventually closed down in December 1967.
End of Fire Lookout Operations
The fire tower on Blue Mountain continued to operate for many years after the radar station closed. It helped spot fires until 1990. This made it one of the very last fire towers still working in New York State. It was also one of the longest-operating towers in the state. Only the St. Regis Mountain fire tower operated for a longer time.
Restoration Efforts
In 1992, the fire tower and a nearby cabin were damaged by unknown people. This incident happened around the same time another fire tower on Pharaoh Mountain was also damaged.
Despite this, the Blue Mountain fire tower remained important. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. More recently, in 2019, a lot of work was done to fix up the tower. Groups like the FFLA, Team Rubicon, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation worked together on this big restoration project. Thanks to their efforts, the tower is now in much better condition for visitors to enjoy.
