Review:

Taking center stage in the magnificent Overlook Mountain Wild Forest region of Catskill Park, Overlook Mountain is the southernmost peak of the Catskill Mountains and the site of one of the five remaining Catskill Mountain fire towers and the Overlook Mountain House hotel. Designed by Lewis B. Wagonen in 1871, the hotel gained fame for being built at a higher elevation than any of the nearby hotels. It later burned down, and the ruins can be visited from one of the main hiking trails in the park.

The Catskill Mountain fire towers were constructed to prevent and control forest fires in the region between 1908 and 1950. The twenty-three towers fell into disuse two decades later, but five of the towers have been restored and reopened for public observation. Visitors can explore the region on a 9-mile hiking trail that winds around the mountain from Fire Town to Echo Lake and includes the Ledges. Map

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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