Easy Adirondack Hikes: Newcomb NY Goodnow Mountain (fire tower) free trail map

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Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower
(c) AdirondackFamilyTime.com
Goodnow Mountain Fire tower

 Elevation: 2,690 ft
Ascent: 1,040 ft
Distance: 1.9 miles

 Fun Facts: 
1) Goodnow fire tower is 60' tall and first built in 1922
2) Is part of the 15,000 acre Huntington Wildlife Forest owned by ESF (College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University) 
3) The fire tower was manned until 1970, restored in 1995, and now part of the Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge.


 What's in a name? 
1) Goodnow Mountain and nearby Goodnow River were named after a settler named Sylvester Goodnow. Here is a bit of history about the family's roots. 
2) Later the surrounding acreage and mountain were purchased by the Huntington family,  In 1932 Annie and Archer Huntington donated their 15,000 acre property to the State University of New York. In 1972, the Adirondack Ecological Center has continued to provide valuable scientific research .

 Here is a view of Goodnow Mountain from the EM Huntington Campus in Newcomb. NY
At the parking area, we strap on snowshoes and begin our ascent. Our dog is with us and the sign clearly reads that dogs need to be leashed.  With snowshoes on, we start our hike. 

 The first 0.5-mile section stays pretty level with very little elevation gain. The ascent is steady. At 1.7-miles we pass the remains of an old barn. The trail is well used and even in the wintery conditions someone has been before us breaking the trail. 

 Just beyond the old structure we reach an overlook with benches.
Our view is a bit obstructed so we continue toward the summit. The trail has a brief descent before reaching the final climb and views of the fire tower. 

 The fire tower has been fully restored and is a necessity to take advantage of the 360º view of the Adirondack High Peaks. 

 Directions: Take NY Rt. 28N east from Long Lake for 11.5-miles. Look for the ESF trailhead sign on the right side on the road.  The trailhead is just east of the entrance to the Adirondack Interpretive Center. 

© Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time™ guidebook series. Adirondack Family Time™guidebooks have easy, short Adirondack family hikes for ADK kids, parents, retired, seniors, dog-owners, Adirondack swimming holes, Lake Placid Olympic activities, Adirondack trivia, Adirondack horseback rides, Adirondack snowshoe family trails and more. Look for the Adirondack family guidebooks online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the next Adirondack Family Activities™ guide.


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