Convergence on Balsam Lake Mountain with Laurie Rankin, Dr. Michael Kudish and Lisa Lyons

Hike up from either the north or south sides of Balsam Lake Mountain,
through balsam fir forest. Both groups will meet at the summit! (each
trail ascends a total of 1100′ to the 3720′ summit).

At the summit, Laurie Rankin, Volunteer Coordinator for Balsam Lake
Mountain Fire Tower will open the Fire Tower Cab and Observer’s cabin
and regale participants with stories of growing up the daughter of the
last full time Observer at Balsam Lake Mountain.

Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch, views from the fire tower, and a 15-20
minute presentation by Dr. Kudish on the history of the forest summit of
Balsam Lake Mountain. Dr. Kudish will show us one of the three peat bogs
at the summit as we begin our descent. It is right next to the trail and
close to one of the highest sugar maple stands in the Catskills.

TIME:
10am: from the North (Margaretville area): Laurie Rankin and Dr. Kudish
will lead the group departing the Millbrook trailhead

10:30am: from the South (Lew Beach/Beaverkill area): Lisa Lyons, owner of Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor, will lead the group leaving from the Beaverkill trailhead

Event Duration:  from the  North: 6 miles; from the South: 3.5 miles; 5 hours

Level of Difficulty:  Moderate – Difficult

Leader(s):  Laurie Rankin and Lisa Lyons

Bring: lunch, something to drink

Registration required by September 30.  Use registration form below to register.

Group size is limited to 12 so register early.

Fee:  No

Dogs allowed:  No

Questions about the hike from the North can be directed to:
lauriejrankin@gmail.com or (845) 926-2182
Questions about the hike from the South can be directed to:
info@morgan-outdoors.com or (845) 439-5507

Driving Directions: 
-to Northern trailhead (Margaretville area):
From State Route 28, take Dry Brook Rd south (Dry Brook Rd is
approximately .2 miles west of County Rt 38). Take Dry Brook Rd 6 miles.
Make right on Mill Brook Rd and continue 3 miles to the DEC parking lot on
the RIGHT side of the road

-to Southern trailhead (Lew Beach/Beaverkill area)
From Livingston Manor, Route 17 exit 96, follow Old Rt 17 west for 1.4
miles, turn right onto Beaverkill Road(County Route 151). Proceed
northeast on Beaverkill Road 22 miles to its terminus at the trailhead
parking area.
The road becomes County Route 152 and part of Route 54. Stay on the road,
without making any turns. The last three miles it becomes a dirt road.