Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain Fire Observation Station

Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain Fire Observation Station is a steel fire lookout tower perched on a 2,165 feet (660 m) peak in Essex County. The tower provides sweeping views across the Adirondack region and toward Lake Champlain on clear days.

The tower was built in 1917 by the Aermotor Windmill Company and served as a key fire monitoring post during the early years of organized forest management. Its role in New York's forest conservation efforts led to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

The station represents the evolution of forest conservation practices in New York State, leading to its inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Two trails ascend to the summit: the shorter Ranger's Trail offers a steeper climb, while the Observer's Trail provides a more gradual route, both beginning near Route 9. Allow several hours for the hike, as conditions and difficulty can change depending on the season and weather.

The mountain's name comes from Algonquin words: 'pohqui' means broken and 'moosie' means smooth, which early settlers transformed into 'Poke-O-Moonshine'. This naming history reflects how indigenous language was adapted and reshaped through European pronunciation and spelling.

Location: Essex County

Inception: 1917

GPS coordinates: 44.40171,-73.51306

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:47