Balsam Lake Mt. Fire Tower from Mill Brook Ridge Trail

From the Alder Lake parking area, we’ll loop around Alder Lake, and continue on the Mill Brook Ridge trail to junction with the Balsam Lake Mountain trail. We’ll detour South on BLM to the Southern junction with Dry Brook Ridge trail, then return & continue over the BLM summit (with spectacular views from the fire tower) to the Northern junction with the DBR trail. (At this point we’ll have the option of detouring to Graham, adding 4 miles.) We’ll finish by heading South on the DBR trail to the Balsam Lake parking area.

Event Duration:  12 miles,  12 hours

Level of Difficulty:  Difficult

Leader(s): Marv Freedman

Bring: Comfortable hiking boots, hiking poles are recommended, lunch, snacks, at least 2 liters of water/sports drink, sun screen, bug repellent, headlamp.

Registration required by July 1st. Register with leader. See contact info below.

Group size is limited to 12, so register early.

Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leader

Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: marvfreedman@gmail.com or (609) 731-3318

Additional Information:  For those working on the Catskills All Trails Challenge, this hike completes the Alder Lake Loop Trail (Map 144), the Millbrook Ridge Trail (Map 142), The Balsam Lake Mountain Trail (Map 142), and the Southern 1.9 miles of the Dry Brook Ridge Trail (Map 142). For those working on the Catskills Hundred Highest, we’ll cross the summit of #36, Mill Brook Ridge.

Driving Directions:   Google Maps link to Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/G3kEgiNZoaDmjkzB6
The meeting point is to the right of the entrance to Balsam Lake Lodge. This is where the hike will finish. We’ll leave cars there and will drive to the Alder Lake parking area (GPS: 42.049790, -74.682688 Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/AFHgNjp9YwxQUmbQ9) to start the hike.

GPS coordinates:   42.023955, -74.599698