For more than 100 years, Catfish Fire Tower has stood as a sentinel on the Kittatinny Ridge of the Appalachian Trail. Driving down Millbrook Road, a glance up at the top of the mountain reveals this landmark among the trees at an elevation of 1,555, where it has stood since its construction in 1922. Despite being at the highest elevation of any New Jersey fire tower, the hike to the top of its ridge is short and only a moderately difficult uphill climb.
There are multiple ways to reach Catfish Fire Tower. It is accessible via the Appalachian Trail, the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail or on the service road that begins off Millbrook Road. The service road is the fastest and most direct route. Just punch in “281-283 Millbrook Road, Hardwick” into a GPS and follow the directions to a pull-off. There is space for a handful of cars to park without blocking the service gate. This area fills up quickly in the autumn months, as it’s a popular leaf-peeping spot. To avoid the crowds and secure a spot, start your day early or plan your hike in the quieter seasons from winter through summer. If there is no space at the pull-off, find another entrance to the Appalachian Trail along Millbrook Road or consider taking the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, a longer alternate route with more parking at the trailhead.
From this point, the beginning of the trail is marked, a bit unceremoniously, by a service gate and an “Authorized Vehicles Only” sign. The path is a wide, rocky service road that leads directly to the tower. This begins a two-mile uphill trek to the tower. This trail is easy to follow in any season, however, in the winter, mountain runoff freezes, which can cause icy conditions that are hard to navigate without proper footwear.
For the first quarter-mile, hikers travel through tranquil forests. Hardwood pines and deciduous maples mingle in the rocky soil. There is a footbridge over a quiet stream leading into a corridor of tall, dense rhododendron bushes that encapsulate hikers in deep greens even on the coldest days of the year. These rhododendrons, a staple native species of the Delaware Water Gap, grow in thick clusters that cover hillsides throughout the area. Their broad leaves are evergreen, and in July, clusters of white flowers burst from their branches. Half a mile into the hike, there is a sign marking the intersection of the Tower Trail and the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail. Continue as the signs direct — uphill on the wide path.
As the trail nears the top of the ridge, the trees grow shorter and sparser. Take a deep breath and smell the crisp, pine-scented air. The trail begins to flatten and curve along the top of the mountain, finally leading to the fire tower. In the center of a clearing, Catfish Fire Tower juts into the sky at 60 feet high and keeps a watchful eye over the farmland and forests of New Jersey and the Pennsylvania border. Hikers can take in a stunning view of rolling hills and lakes. In the fall, vibrant colors paint the landscape, making this trail gorgeous, but busy with hikers. In the migratory seasons of spring and autumn, birders visit with binoculars in hand to catch a glimpse of hawks and other raptors riding the wind currents to their seasonal destinations. The summer months bring a new crowd of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, trudging in with their gear and adventurous spirits. Even for the most casual visitor, a picnic table is available to take a seat and enjoy a trail snack after the hard work of reaching the top.
If hikers want to extend their trip, there are many connecting trails, including the Appalachian Trail, marked with white blazes. If this is the end of the journey, hikers should turn around and return the way they came, via the rocky service road trail. Avoid veering astray onto other trails. This hike takes about an hour to complete without stops, making it a great trail for a short morning or afternoon of fresh air and pristine nature.
Olivia Wilinski is an avid outdoorswoman; hiking, climbing, camping, and birding no matter the season. In her free time she can also be found painting, playing instruments, reading books, and crocheting sweaters. She is a strong believer in building community through supporting local businesses and artists, is passionate about the arts, the environment, and sports and looks to highlight these subjects in her writing.
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
- Olivia Wilinski, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/olivia-wilinski-contributing-writer/
