recent visits to Tumbledown 3542 or other ME fire towers?

[RoySwkr]

Bill Cobb is working with the Maine Forest Service to inventory old ME fire towers with a thought to restoration. He was interested in recent (in the case of Tumbledown, that means since 1993!) reports on less-visited towers

Most likely to get restored: Big Moose, short tower and popular hike

Least likely: Harris Mtn, apparently about to fall down, climb it while you can!

 

[Nate]

You mean in addition to this listing? http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5923/page2.htm



P.S. Subsequent to initially posting this, I've had a chance to look over this fire tower website (I uncovered it when looking up where Harris Mountain is) and one thing I would note is that for the COP Snow tower, as of my visit Memorial Day Weekend '05, the tower was still standing, but the cab was sure ready to fall off.

 

[RoySwkr]

You mean in addition to this listing? http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/5923/page2.htm

As mentioned elsewhere, that is Dave Hilton's website. Mr. Hilton is now deceased and no longer updating his website which could go away any time, so grab anything you want now

Mr. Cobb is hoping to acquire both additional and more recent information such as your Snow report. Thanks!

 

[Nate]

Also, another update to what the Maine fire tower website says, the Frye Mountain tower has been relocated to Swan Island (an unpopulated island in the Kennebec River, as opposed to Swan's Island off of MDI). Having visited Swan last summer, I found the tower to be restored, but because it sits on a meager hill, the views from the cab aren't anything too special.

Further, the site mentions the Sargent Mountain fire tower in Acadia. Having consulted two separate maps I don't think this tower is standing any more. Perhaps anyone who has visited this peak can comment on any remnants that may still exist up there.

 

[Nate]

Speaking of fire towers, for the one on Mount Prospect in Weeks State Park, is the tower only open during the same hours as the rest of the estate? In consulting both the park's website and the White Mountain Guide, I found neither one addressed this. Considering that in pictures it looks like the type of tower that has a locking door, it would be good to know what access is available.

 

[RoySwkr]

Speaking of fire towers, for the one on Mount Prospect in Weeks State Park, is the tower only open during the same hours as the rest of the estate? In consulting both the park's website and the White Mountain Guide, I found neither one addressed this. Considering that in pictures it looks like the type of tower that has a locking door, it would be good to know what access is available.

The tower does have a locking door that doesn't always stop vandals :-(

It is probably only open when the park is open OR when the fire lookout is on duty, which is roughly April-October with days off.