The twelfth tower in the Fire Tower Challenge that Sister (in-law) and I did was Kane Mountain. Kane was the southernmost fire tower we've done, and was such a pretty drive to get to in the foliage. We drove through areas of the state that we had not yet been through, a different scene than driving up north in the Adirondacks. I didn't even get lost or miss a turn driving there, which is quite unusual.
We decided to take the East Trail, off of Green Lake Rd in Caroga Lake, up to the summit. The books suggest that the other trails go through private land and there might be some fee to walk through.
The hike to the summit was very easy, and just shy of a mile. We were surprised at how quickly we arrived to the top. Although it was rated at a moderate grade, we decided it was so easy even our husbands could do it! Just before the tower, to the left, is the observers cabin. The door has been removed, allowing visitors to look inside the cabin. A sign on the outside warns of closure and/or removal of the cabin if vandalism continues. Despite the warning, vandalism has continued. Graffiti was dated to just two weeks prior to our visit, what a shame that the disrespect of hikers will most likely ruin the opportunity to see the cabin for future visitors.
Beer cans and paint stained hand prints decorated the inside of the cabin. Poems hinted at the unrepeatable acts that may have occurred inside. Shelby promotes peace in her graffiti, and J-Train apparently failed art class and/or anatomy and physiology. That's just the graffiti inside the cabin.... the vandalism continues up to the cab of the tower.
The moon was showing in the cloudless blue sky. The leaves were still beautiful, though foliage was past peak.
On the way back home we stopped off to take pictures of a ferris wheel and merry-go-round in what I think is Sherman's Park in Caroga Lake, and took pictures, possibly while trespassing. Fortunately the cop didn't stop as we suspiciously bolted back to the car....
Here are all the pictures from the trip in my Flickr set.
We decided to take the East Trail, off of Green Lake Rd in Caroga Lake, up to the summit. The books suggest that the other trails go through private land and there might be some fee to walk through.
The hike to the summit was very easy, and just shy of a mile. We were surprised at how quickly we arrived to the top. Although it was rated at a moderate grade, we decided it was so easy even our husbands could do it! Just before the tower, to the left, is the observers cabin. The door has been removed, allowing visitors to look inside the cabin. A sign on the outside warns of closure and/or removal of the cabin if vandalism continues. Despite the warning, vandalism has continued. Graffiti was dated to just two weeks prior to our visit, what a shame that the disrespect of hikers will most likely ruin the opportunity to see the cabin for future visitors.
Beer cans and paint stained hand prints decorated the inside of the cabin. Poems hinted at the unrepeatable acts that may have occurred inside. Shelby promotes peace in her graffiti, and J-Train apparently failed art class and/or anatomy and physiology. That's just the graffiti inside the cabin.... the vandalism continues up to the cab of the tower.
The moon was showing in the cloudless blue sky. The leaves were still beautiful, though foliage was past peak.
On the way back home we stopped off to take pictures of a ferris wheel and merry-go-round in what I think is Sherman's Park in Caroga Lake, and took pictures, possibly while trespassing. Fortunately the cop didn't stop as we suspiciously bolted back to the car....
Here are all the pictures from the trip in my Flickr set.
6 comments:
Looks like a fun hike! It's so sad that people would vandalize up there though :(
now it's strange, that this trail had more grafitti that the others. Maybe because it was easy? Looks like a beautiful day, and a great view from the tower. {:-D
I was taught to pack out what you pack in. Guess they (vandals) will say that painting has nothing to do with that guideline.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I feel as though I am there with you as I enjoy every description and photo. The way you wrote about what the vandals wrote also pulled this reader in.
Can't imagine hikers would be disrespectful, maybe teens on weekends? Never met a disrespectful hiker. What a shame for the rest of us.
~Lily
Beautiful location! It's so sad to see the vandalism. I too was taught to leave things as they are (I guess Girl Scouts really does have a lifelong influence!)
Maybe some kind soul will "sneak" in an do a little clean up now and then in order to save the building?
I am so happy to have been lead to your blog after seeing that you are following mine!!! As you know my father and I are doing the fire tower challenge...although sort of unofficially. Your posts are a wealth of information for future trips that he and I will no doubt be taking!! I will be sure to watch for your posts as the hiking season hopefully gets underway soon! Thanks again :)
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