Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Old Fire Tower Viewpoint–High Point, 4 sights
14.7 mi · ▲ 2,435 ft · 6 hr 7 min
Old Fire Tower Viewpoint–High Point, 4 sights is a 14.7-mile out-and-back in Minnewaska State Park Preserve near Port Ben, NY. The route passes Old Fire Tower Viewpoint and High Point. It climbs 2,435 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 76/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Old Fire Tower Viewpoint–High Point, 4 sights
14.7 mi · ▲ 2,435 ft · 6 hr 7 min
Elevation 289–2,261 ft
Out & Back · Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Trailhead: Mine Hole Trail · 41.76025, -74.32531
Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:23 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Mine Hole Trail, heading S.
- 3.4 miTurn right onto Smiley Carriage Road, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto High Point Carriage Road, heading SE.
- 1.2 miSharp left onto High Point Trail, heading NE.
- 250 ftPass Old Fire Tower Viewpoint.
- 50 ftPass High Point.
- 2.4 miReach Old Fire Tower Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.4 miSharp right onto High Point Carriage Road, heading W.
- 1.2 miTurn right onto Smiley Carriage Road, heading NW.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Mine Hole Trail, heading E.
- 3.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~63 min). Leave by 5:59 PM for the 7:23 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Mine Hole Trail Trailhead
- High Point Carriage Road & Mine Hole Trail 12.9 mi · ▲ 2,159 ft
- Indian Rock–Indian Rock Viewpoint, 4 sights 13.4 mi · ▲ 2,186 ft
- Litchfield Ledge–Lake Awosting, 5 sights 15.1 mi · ▲ 2,241 ft
- Battlement Terrace–Lake Awosting, 8 sights 16.1 mi · ▲ 2,395 ft
- Castle Point Carriage Viewpoint–Castle Point, 8 sights 16.2 mi · ▲ 2,477 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Port Ben, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Port Ben, New York