Mt. Sterling (near the AT) and Camp Creek Bald.
Mt. Sterling (near the AT) and Camp Creek Bald.
I'm not really a hiker, I just play one on White Blaze.
There's one on top of Big Flat Mountain in Michaux State Forest in PA. It's not far off the AT (about .25 miles) along Ridge Rd. just north of Arendtsville-Shippensburg Rd., which crosses the AT 1.4 miles north of Birch Run shelters. It's an odd one, as it's wedged in with a microwave tower and an FAA radar tower. I don't know if it's accessible or not as I didn't hike over to it when I was last there (and that's been a while.)
A bit further south, there's the Snowy Mountain Fire Tower about halfway between Tumbling Run and Rocky Mountain shelters. The AT passes around the shoulder of the mountain with the tower just above. They still post weather reports from the tower, so my guess is it's still active, but whether manned or unmanned I don't know.
For defunct towers, there's also the old tower base in the superfund zone about 2 miles north of Lehigh Gap, which the AT goes right over.
That's all I can think of for now. I think there's also one on Lamb's Knob down in Maryland, but I haven't been there so someone with better local knowledge will have to confirm or deny that one.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
meadow creek fire tower...i know there's one outside of hot springs and a google search came up with this name...
Many times fire towers are shut down because it is more efficient to conduct fire patrols from airplanes. They are able cover a greater area and then investigate and if necessary, help lead crews to the fire.
The title to the thread included the word "near" "Near" being a state of mind, the tower on Mount Carrigain might be added to your list.
Bob & Brad
(On the Internet, no one knows if you're a dog)
Psalm 121 - the hiker's psalm
The tower that used to stand on Mt. Hale (near Zealand Falls hut) might be added too.rlharris...."the tower on Mount Carrigain might be added to your list."
Mt Garfield in NH used to have a fire lookout. It didn't have a tower, just a cab on a foundation. Everyone whose been there has seen the old foundation but has anyone seen the warden's old outhouse?
One of the hills on the approach trail (AFSP to Springer) had fire tower footings. I also recall such footings -- and a set of concrete steps leading nowhere -- on the ridge just south of Delaware Water Gap. Oh yeah, there's a set of footings on Mt. Carter (or is it North Carter) also.
What about Roan High (removed) and Rich Mountain. Temple Hill (removed) & views of Pinnacle Mtn Tower.
Check out: http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/towers/ for all the Tennessee towers
''Tennessee Viking'
Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer
Black Mountain Fire Tower with access road at Woody Gap.
Catfish fire tower in New Jersey, IIRC.
-Mark