Hunter Mountain Fire Tower: A hike up a mountain to see the view


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Distance 340 kms 211 miles
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Friday, June 30th, 2017

In the morning I ask the ranger about the hiking trail I saw signs for down the road. He says it's a good workout, a pretty strenous hike up onto the mountain to our west. I decide to check it out. It means staying another night in the campground, 21 dollars this time as the setup fee only applies the first time. I set off at 8am under cloudy skies. It's got the feel of rain today.

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The hiking trail starts off at a small pond up the street from the campground.
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Well hello there.
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The ranger was telling the truth: it's a pretty strenous hike. At least for the first 1.5 miles as the path winds its way up steep grades. A couple of scrambles in places but mostly just a steep walk. I'm sweating heavily in the humidity when I reach what seems like a long ridge. I'm still climbing but much gentler now. I'm disappointed to see that the canopy covers the view. I decide to continue on until I find a clearing where I can see the surrounding landscape.

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Which way to go?

At a lean-to shelter called Devil's Acre I see a backpack and walking poles but no sign of anybody. I backtrack to the signs for the fire tower. I head in that direction, still not convinced I want to go that far, then I run into a guy coming down the path. He's Brittish, says the fire tower is worth the visit. That must be his backpack at the shelter.

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No camping above 3,500 feet? This was news to me.
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Up, up, up...
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Moss hug.
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A hare near the fire tower.
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Looking east from atop the fire tower.

The fire tower is worth it. 50 feet up, great views of the nearby mountains. I even have cellphone service up here. I hang out for a bit to check my messages, until I vacate my perch for a young woman I see below, she probably wants her turn at the view.

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Looking northish.
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Back down.

The sharp downhill is tough on the legs. I suspect I will be feeling this tomorrow.

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Back at the campground I just have time to eat a snack before the skies open up, thunder, lightning, wind, the works. It breaks in the afternoon long enough for me to make a fire (rather painfully with everything being wet), make dinner, and have tea. Just as I finish my cup another thunderstorm rolls in. It will be an early night in the tent.

Hike stats:

Dist: 7.7 miles

Elevation gain: 2,168 ft

Max elevation: 4,040 ft

Moving time: 3 hours