Bald (Rondaxe) Mountain
Fire Tower Restoration Project

Website Provided By
Friends of Bald Mt., Box 914, Old Forge, NY 13420

2022-2023 - Great progress the last two years! - Link
2020-2021 - Our Work During a Pandemic - Link 
2019 - Our Work Continues - Link
2018 - Link to Our Work This Year
2017 - Link to Our Fire Tower's 100th Year
2016 FoBM - 99th Year for Our Tower - Link
Fundraiser Patches  - NO LONGER AVAILABLE!
2015 FoBM - Update on our Historic Tower - Link
 2014 FoBM - Countdown to 100th - Link
2013 FoBM Update - Link
2012 Spring Workdays - Link
PLUS-Unbelievable Links to a 
Virtual Panoramic Views of the Summit

2011 Spring Vandals on the Summit UPDATED - Link
2010 News from FOBM link
2009 Progress Report – and photos!
2008 – Phase III of the Restoration Project Continues
Link to Photos of the New KIOSK installed in June!
 2007 NEWS – from FoBM
2006 Progress Report - We're Still Working!


Summit Report 2005!
Party on the Summit! - Dedication Day
Re-Opening-Dedication Set for June 18, 2005

  2004 Work Project Photos
Nov. 2004 - Security Fence Installation -
Donor Thank Yous!
September 25th-26th - Fire Spotters -
3-days of great progress!
September 18th - Platforms-New Cab Floor! -
Great weather helps crews!  
September 15th - Supply Drop by Helicopter -
Coordinated by DEC! 
September 8th, 2004 -Trash - Vandals - But . . . Progress Link!  
August 11th, 2004 - Mystery Summit Volunteers
- haul platform boards
June 5th, 2004 - HOW DID THEY DO THAT? - painting the fire tower
Notes from our Supporters - Link  
July Financial Report - Link  
Bald (Rondaxe) Mt. Map Location from TopoZone

also Fire Tower History - in vintage photos! Updated 12/04!


2003 Workday Photos from June-July-August-September
 In June of 2003, this is what the tower looked like. If you haven't climbed to the tower recently, check out these pictures!
Marty Podskoch - Adirondack Fire Towers Book with Bald Mt. History
April 2003: Funds raised to date: $4,415!!
Great Story -  Bob & Janet Evans - Former Observers

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Friends of Bald Mountain Steering Committee
     In May of 2002, members of the Rochester based Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club organized a meeting in Old Forge, NY for anyone interested in forming a committee to develop a plan for restoring the Fire Tower on Bald Mountain. The Bald Mountain Tower, also known as the Rondaxe Fire Tower, was officially closed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 1990.  More than 10 years of harsh weather and lack of maintenance have left the historic tower in great need of repairs. A committee was formed that evening to begin the task of restoring the tower to its original condition, developing an educational component that highlights the tower's human and environmental history, and to recruit partners who would lend manpower and financial support for the project. 

Partnerships
     The steering committee is working with The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and signed a formal 5-yr. "Adopt-A-Natural-Resource" agreement with the DEC. In addition to restoring the tower, the committee worked with local DEC personnel on trail maintenance, improve signage, and an educational component to teach good conservation practices including fire prevention.  Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), located in Keeseville, NY,  served as our not-for-profit sponsor for the first five years of our restoration project. 
     We were fortunate to have several members of the Genesee Chapter of ADK in Rochester on our steering committee.  They are committed to recruiting additional laborers for tower work projects, trail maintenance, and helping to publicize our efforts to raise funds for the restoration of the Bald Mt. Tower

Steering Committee
(Original Volunteers of  our "Adopt-A-Natural Resource Agreement" & current officers) 

Co-Chairman
Ann Spaziano - MacBride

Co-Chairman
Barb Ball

Secretary/Treasurer
Peg Masters

Janice Walter Ferrick
Sandy Tetreault
Reed & Barb Proper
Jack Ball**
Charlie & June Kiefer
Kevin MacBride
Richard A. Ulrich
Walter Coogan**
Gary VanRiper
Jim Tracy
Pat Ferrick
Hans Schmid
Larry Coon
  **The committee sadly acknowledges the loss of Walter Coogan of Syracuse who died of cancer in December 2003 and the death of Jack Ball in 2013.

Hiking
Directions

The official DEC parking area is on the Rondaxe Road off Rte. 28 approx. 2 miles north of the Hamlet of Old Forge, NY

 

Location from USGS

 Name:

Bald Mountain

 Type:

summit

Elevation (feet):

2350

State:

New York

County:

Herkimer

USGS 7.5' x 7.5' Map:

Old Forge

Latitude

434419N

Longitude

0745451W



  

The Bald Mountain Fire Tower Restoration Work is ongoing. The tower is an historic treasure, a destination point for thousands of visitors in the Old Forge region annually, and a tangible link to the dedicated foresters  and observers who helped to preserve thousands of acres of forest lands in the Adirondack Park during the past century. 

Please contact us if you would like to contribute to our Endowment Fund
or serve on our FoBM committee:

Friends of Bald Mountain
Box 914, Old Forge, NY 13420

Webmaster

Last updated: November 28, 2023