Climb a Tower and Explore Stone Chambers at Mount Nimham

Looking Up at the Nimham Fire Tower There are a few places in Putnam County that offer a 360 degree panoramic view. A good number of those require more advanced hiking skills. Luckily, the dirt road to the top of Mt. Nimham provides relatively easy access to one of those amazing sites. On your way up the trail, you can stop to explore either of the two stone chambers that are located along the way. And once at the top, make sure you've saved enough energy to climb the fire tower that provides the aforementioned breathtaking view.

The tower was restored a few years ago by a group called the Friends of Mt. Nimham. To get there from exit 19 off Route 84, head west on Route 312 for 1 mile. Make a right onto Route 6 and go 2.1 miles. At the 3-way intersection, you will see Lake Gleneida in front of you. Make a right onto Route 52. Go 0.2 miles and make a left onto Route 301. Go 1.1 miles. Just as you finish crossing the long stone bridge (Carver Bridge) make a right onto Gypsy Trail Road. Go 2.2 miles. On the left there is small road heading uphill, with a sign for the Mt. Nimham Multiple Use Area. Half a mile up that road there is a small cultde sac parking area.

The view from the top of Nimham Fire Tower. As you enter the parking area, the first stone chamber is on your right. This one is large enough to stand in.

There are two trails that start from the cul-de-sac. We did not explore the trail on the left, but it seemed popular for mountain biking. The trail on the right leads to the fire tower. About 200 yards up the trail to the tower there is another, smaller stone chamber. As I peaked my head inside a bird flew out a few inches from my head.

The tree canopy provided a nice amount of shade for the first third of the trail. The middle section of the trail gets a little warmer, partially because the direct sunlight can reach you, and partially because of the steadily incline. The last third or so of the trail has shade again.

It took my family and I about 25 minutes to get from the parking area to the base of the fire tower at the top of the mountain. There is an open grassy area below the tower that makes a nice sight for a picnic lunch. The tower stands head and shoulders above the highest treetops.

If heights are not your thing, climbing this tower will get your heart pumping. The first two or three sets of stairs were easy, but as I climbed higher, my death-grip on the railings got tighter and tighter. My wife mocked my desire to stop at the halfway mark, so I carefully made my way to the top. I probably looked like one of the those slow-motion chameleons on the Discovery Channel - at no time did I have less than 3 limbs in contact with the metal frame.

My kids did the hike up the mountain, but only went up the first 2 flights of stairs on the tower. I felt it was a little too dangerous for them.

The view from the top of the tower is well worth the effort. It was a little hazy when I was there, but I have read that you can see the Manhattan skyline on a clear day. The reservoirs, lakes and rolling hills of our Putnam County are beautiful. Despite all the development in Putnam the last few years, the view from the fire town lets you know we still live in a pretty rural - and special place.

Getting down the mountain is a lot quicker because gravity is on your side. Take the same road you came in on. The trip is about 3/4th of a mile each way.

All in all, the steady climb provides a good cardiovascular workout, the fire tower climb is good for your character, and the view from the top is good for your soul.

Steven Mattson has been a resident of Brewster for 10 years. He is currently writing a family-oriented book about the sights and adventures in and around Putnam County. He can be reached at dutchess92@comcast.net.