In these beautiful Fall months, when the High Peaks and popular trailheads become packed, I like to take this seasonal opportunity to visit a few Fire Towers, drinking in the beautiful colors without the crowds. In this late September I took my first trip up Vanderwhacker Mountain, one that I hadn’t heard much about, so I didn’t jump to seek it out. 

The trail and climb here are pretty standard fare for your day-hike / Fire Tower experience in the ADK, about 6 miles with a lot of that elevation happening in the last mile or so. The trail, it’s self hasn’t seen maintenance in probably forever, since large downed trees have incidentally cause changes in the path at various points.

The peak itself is entirely wooded but the views from the Tower were fantastic, with views of lakes and towns nearby (I think I was looking at Blue Mountain Like but I’m not sure).  I enjoyed this one, wouldn’t describe it as one of the best, but it’s nowhere near the worst, and could probably be paired with another small hike if you wanted more fun afterwards. 

• The dirt/stone road up to the trailhead is probably one of the worst i’ve experienced in the ADK. Nothing insane, but I wouldn’t recommend anything other than a truck or SUV.
• This is also probably the smallest parking lot at a trailhead I’ve seen in the ADK. There is about enough space for three cars, I parked on the lip that turns into the lot, there might have been enough space across the road for one more car but thats about it.
• This one is smack-dab in the middle of the Fire Towers in terms of length and difficulty. This one also has one of those abandoned watch cabins about a mile from the peak, real spooky and totally appropriate for the Fall.
• This Tower has an old and rackety feeling to it that had me a little nervous on my climb up, be careful here.