Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower

The hike to Balsam Mountain Fire Tower is considered moderate for most people who aren't expert hikers. When you start at the main parking lot, you will come to a fork in the trail, with a sign pointing left to the fire tower. Some things to note about this direction is that there are points that are steep with rock scramble as well as points that are very wet and slippery. There is a natural spring for topping off water bottles with ice cold water. If you stay to the right of the sign, it is a gradual ascent to the tower and not as challenging, but I suggest you return to the lot the same way. Regardless of which was you pick, its all uphill in the beginning.

The tower observation deck was closed when we went, therefore views at the summit were essentially non existent. There are picnic tables at the top.

Notes: If you start at the Balsam Mountain parking lot, follow the signs to the fire tower and make the loop to return to the lot, you can expect to do 4.2 miles with 1,160 foot elevation gain and roughly the same decent on the way back.

Easy hike even in snow and great views on a sunny day. It's windy and cold, particularly at the top of tower

A relatively easy hike (with a little bit of huff-n-puff toward the end) in pretty woods leads to this well-maintained fire tower, with breathtaking 360 degree views from the top. A super friendly ranger was there to answer questions. There is an outhouse and a ranger cabin that is open to the public as well. A great way to spend an afternoon!

Great hike. Another Fire Tower done! Wish we could have had some views, but too much cloud cover. Nice winds, 12.2 mph and we were right in the clouds.

Nice hike. We went in the Spring. Very steep roads to the trailhead do caution if freezing rain or bad weather. Still enjoyed the hike to the fire tower.