Time: Average 6.50 hours round trip : Elevation Gain: 1,284’ for Graham and 380' for Balsam Lake Mtn from … You will come upon a registration box after about third of a mile. Quick Look – Graham from Beaverkill; Difficulty Round trip Total climb Location Mostly sunny, warm day. For permission call (845) 586-4099, Monday-Friday during business hours. I had thought we might try some of the offtrail peaks on the DEP property around Walton. The most popular route to Balsam Lake begins at the Dry Brook Ridge Trailhead on Mill Brook Road in Hardenburgh. About 6 hours in total. Go to the page for Graham Mountain for more hikes which include Balsam Lake … The trailhead is actually down the street. The public road dead ends at this spot and a private road continues to the Balsam Lake Lodge. Nice and clean! The day was in the 60’s, sunny, no wind. Balsam Lake Mountain is situated 2½ miles west of Graham Mountain. You’ll be pretty much making a u-turn to follow the unmaintained trail. Take a right out of the NYS Thruway toll booths onto Rt 28. Balsam Lake Mountain is the westernmost of the Catskill 3500-foot peaks, and Graham Mountain is adjacent to it, on a ridge with a couple of formally unnamed less-than-3500-foot heights of land in between, that local hikers sometimes call East and West Schoolhouse Mountain. You may hike to the fire tower and back to the DEC parking lot WITHOUT permission. Postpone your visit if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been asked to … Any of the loops can be done in either direction. This is a 10 mile challenge but great fun. The view from the Fire tower was amazing! Go approximately 2-3 miles on Mill Brook Road, The DEC Parking lot is on the RIGHT side of the road. Most of the snow is gone except on the north-facing and higher elevation slopes. My feet were wet by the end, but it was a great day to hike. The mountain can be hiked as an out-and-back or as a loop. CATSKILLS - GRAHAM MOUNTAIN & BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN: 4/25/13 After considering several hike options for the final full day of our Catskill vacation, we decided to head for Graham Mountain, one of two 3500-ft. … 1,284’ for Graham and 380' for Balsam Lake Mtn from the DEC Parking Lot and the summit. Before you visit: check what facilities/activities are available and pack what you need (e.g. ... Balsam Lake is probably most famous for the first recorded appearance on a cold and snowy night in January 2014 of Herbert Van Horsenforth, a legend in HVH lore. Take New York State Thruway to Exit 19 (Kingston). Due to a late start from home and a stupid wrong turn while … Park at the trailhead at the end of the Beaverkill Road. Go appoximately 1.25 miles to Mill Brook Road. Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham Mountain [PRIVATE PROPERTY] is a 15.0 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Livingston Manor, New York that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Trail. Quick Look - Graham and Balsam Lake from Beaverkill; Difficulty Round trip Total climb Location Internet Maps; 8.5 mi. These two emblematic peaks in the region are beautiful exploration spots for explorers and nature lovers. To the left of Graham is Panther Mountain. Located within the Balsam Lake … The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. water, snacks, mask/face covering, and hand sanitizer). It is located in the town of Hardenburgh, New York, United States. … An abandoned tower greeted your eyes as you approached the peak. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking. On Friday, August 2nd, I was ready to get out and hike with my grandson Bryce. We hiked the 6 mile route to the fire tower and back. A little challenging but worth it in the end. The mountain can be hiked as an out-and-back or as a loop. Full winter gear required. THIS PEAK IS ON PRIVATE LAND, THE OWNERS ARE GOOD ABOUT GIVING PERMISSION, BUT YOU MUST CALL TO GET PERMISSION, DO NOT TRESSPASS, AS WE MAY LOSE ACCESS AT ANYTIME PROVIDED THE TREND OF PEOPLE NOT CALLING CONTINUES. Just finished a trip from the Catskills and a hike up to the top of this mountain. OK view up top, but mostly blocked. Sunday January 21, 2017: Parked at Mill Brook Rd at around noon, a very pleasant and steady uphill climb in snowy, sunny and warm conditions. But the drive down that road is beautiful on its own. I would say the last .75 miles is where your gain most of the elevation, and, the balsam forest on top is very nice in a few inches of new snow. You cannot get permission to hike Graham Mountain during hunting season. Third Annual Light Up the Night 💚 Balsam Lake & Graham. Balsam Lake Mt. Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is on public land. Doubletop and Graham require permission to hike which means a call to the caretaker before hiking: Bill Fiedler (607) 221-1277. Easy trail to Balsam Lake Mountain with stunning views from the fire tower. Below, Kim and Chris on the Balsam Lake fire tower during warmer months, and Keith atop it … HIKE TO BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN The picture on the left is the DEC parking lot off of Mill Brook Road. Balsam Lake is a lovely evergreen mountaintop with an expansive firetower view! Dress warm; it was about 10° at the summits! Faint trail junction to peak of an un-named peak. Balsam Lake Mountain can be accessed from the Beaverkill Road, the Millbrook-Arena Road or from the Millbrook Ridge Trail from Alder Lake. 2165 ft. N42.0392 W74.5500 Google Maps Snowshoes recommended, but not mandatory. We tackled this from the north side this time. Weekly3500.com Group Hikes Weekly3500.com Group Hikes Weekly3500.com Group Hikes Weekly3500.com Group Hikes The mountain has one of five reconstructed and maintained fire towers in the Catskill Park. I thought I’d combine two hikes into one report. Use this section only for trip reports to the Catskill Region of NY. OVERVIEW FOR GRAHAM & BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN : Land: Graham Mountain is on PRIVATE PROPERTY and requires permission (See map). The trail is beautiful overall, there's a spring and a lean-to toward the top of the mountain, and the fire tower view is spectacular. not much to see on the trail but view from tower is impressive, worth the 3 mi there and 3 mi back. New York State Division of Tourism, One Commerce Plaza , Albany, NY, 12245, Phone: 518-474-4116. There is no signage to point you to the Graham Mt trail but you will see notice which indicates that you have reached private land. Thanks to Mark Schafer and others for their input on these trails. A fair simple hike. Park at the DEC parking area and begin on the blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail to the junction with the red-blazed Balsam Lake Mt. Directions from Hardenburgh, NY: Travel Route 54 to Turnwood and continue east about 4 miles to the end of Beaver Kill Road. Graham Mountain is the seventh highest of the Catskill High Peaks and the highest privately owned mountain in the range. With binoculars, or a long lens, you can see the ruins on the summit. Nice walk year around - common winter snowshoe and ski trail. Amazing views and the fresh pine/fir smell wish I could bottle it! On Monday, April 17, Joanne and I hiked Balsam Lake Mountain. Balsam Lake and Graham 07/06/2008 . At present this permission is available only to local residents. Fire tower was locked at the top, which was a bummer. Graham Mountain is on Private Property. This trail in winter is actually pretty wide and easy, following alongside a hill to the right. Trail Junction to Balsam Lake Mountain and Fire Tower, Summit of Balsam Lake Mtn - Fire Tower - Ranger Station. BUT, if you hike Graham Mountain, you WILL need permission. Pass the red trail to Balsam Lake Mt on your left at 0.9 and again at 1.9 miles. One of two high peaks that feature fire towers, Balsam Lake Mountain is accessed from the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail, a short side trail off the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. On this Graham and Balsam Lake Mountains guided trek we take you on a fun outdoor adventure to discover them! Distance: 9.84 miles round trip from the DEC Parking Lot on Mill Brook Road. Please note permission is required to hike up to Graham Mountain. Trailed approaches from the north, south and west offer plenty of variation for … Unfortunately, time was not on our side, but lucky for us, there is a well-defined herd path (more like unmaintained trail) down from Graham. Users have reported that the peak of Graham Mountain is on private property and visitors should get permission before visiting. The trail down from Graham doesn't lose too much elevation before it levels off for the approximate 1.5 mile trip back to the main trail near Balsam Lake Mountain. Balsam Lake & Graham Mountains, Catskills (Canceled) (A-) Saturday, January 6, 2018 ... with great views from the Balsam Lake Fire Tower. The path is very easy to follow, mostly easy grades with steeper pitches toward the summit. Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham Mountain [PRIVATE PROPERTY] is a 9.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Livingston Manor, New York that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Zoom in to see the ruins on the summit. Permission to hike Graham is a simple call or text from the number provided by the 3500 club website. DEC Parking Lot - Walk across the street to the trailhead. Anyway, I just did this hike with 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. 9.84 miles round trip from the DEC Parking Lot on Mill Brook Road. The herd path to Graham is about 0.25 miles further on the right bearing E-SE. (The image at the left is the vertical profile for the hike.) This route is also the only “trailed” route to Graham’s summit — hiking Graham is technically a bushwhack but the herd path is so clear it almost counts as a trail. I changed my mind when I remembered that it was the 100th anniversary of the Balsam Lake Fire Tower. Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham Mountain [PRIVATE PROPERTY] is a 9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Livingston Manor, New York that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. And your above 3500’. Our route includes easy trails, and both easy and challenging bushwhacks. it is on mill brook road. Also, the dense pine forest at the top of the mountain is straight out of a fairytale, something that needs to be seen in the snow. It's a little steep in some places but very manageable. Find the blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail and hike about.9 miles. We hiked 1164 feet up Balsam Lake and 642 feet up Graham for a total elevation gain of 1806 (and a extra 117 going down) Before Steve hade some serious blister problems (Donna was medic) Top of Balsam Lake You’re supposed to call to get permission first since it’s private property. Dry Brook Ridge Trail (2.05 miles and 800′ ascent from Dry Brook Ridge Parking (north) to herd path to Graham OR 1.90-miles and 825′ ascent from Balsam Lake Parking Area (south) to herd path to Graham) Dry Brook Ridge Parking | Balsam Lake Parking Area Both approaches (south vs. north) are about the same … Be alert at about 2 miles, look for a fork. Even still great hike. Came back from Balsam Lake the long way and that was real technical. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing and is best used from April until October. I have suggested a trail edit by having just the trail to Balsam Lake for those only wanting to hike to the fire tower. Some spots were pretty challenging closer to the top but overall a great family hike! The road's pavement changes to gravel/dirt mix. Take a left onto Rt 49A at Highmount (Belleayre Ski Center). Balsam Lake can also be hiked with Graham Mountain. Balsam Lake Mountain is one of the Catskill Mountains, located in the Town of Hardenburgh, New York, United States.It is the westernmost of the range's 35 High Peaks.Its exact height has not been determined, but the highest contour line on topographic maps, 3,720 feet (1,130 m), is usually given as its elevation.. Balsam Lake : May 8, 2020 to October 31, 2020 Facilities and Activities summary. It was a great trail. We walked to Balsam Lake to the fire tower then to Graham which has a nice opening for lunch. Was back at the Parking lot at 4 pm, I walked down with a fellow hiker. Really fun, a few steep climbs, nothing a beginner couldn’t handle. You can probably see a lot from the tops of both but it was cloudy when we went. The path to Graham is an unmaintained trail over private property , not difficult, quite easy to find and follow. Pretty good hike up to Graham (with permission) and then onto Balsam Lake. The mountain has one of five reconstructed and maintained fire towers in the Catskill Park. Note that the entrance on Beaver Kill Rd may be somewhat difficult to access in some cars. Balsam Lake was a pretty nice climb, but no views from the top. Hiking Balsam Lake & Graham Mountains - Catskills, NY - 8/26/2012. Any of the loops can be done in … From Graham Hikers- Donna, Steve, Me, Murray 10.5 miles in 5 hours 31 minutes 1.9 mph. Fire tower was cool when I went to the top and the tv thing was awesome I loved it, Beautiful views from fire tower and small pocket view at the top of Graham mountain which is private property you have to call be for you go. Event Duration: 10 miles, 10 hours. The peak was not as high as I would have liked. Balsam Lake Mountain via Dry Brook Ridge Trail, Belleayre, Balsam, Haynes and Eagle Mountains, Balsam Mountain Via Oliverea-Mapledale and Pine Hill-West Branch Trail, Eagle and Haynes Mountains Via Rider Hollow, Doubletop Mountain to Graham Mountain via Seager Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Balsam, Haynes, Eagle, Big Indian and Fir Peaks Loop, Belleayre Mountain via Lost Clove and Belleayre Ridge, Eagle Mountain, Haynes Mountain, and Balsam Mountain, Balsam Lake Mountain and Graham Mountain [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Graham Mountain, Doubletop Mountain, Big Indian Mountain, and Eagle Mountain Loop [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Doubletop Mountain, Graham Mountain, Balsam Lake Mountain [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. On the right side of the fire tower was locked at the top of the maintenance. Donna, Steve, Me, Murray 10.5 miles in 5 hours 31 minutes 1.9 mph easy... Directions from Hardenburgh, New York State Division of Tourism, one Commerce Plaza, Albany NY... 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