Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower

Nov 11 2009: I am not sure what possessed me to try to climb Hot Springs Mountain.  I decided I would leave the streets of Hot Springs and climb part way up.  Explaining to my fiance’ earlier this month  “Rick it will be my goal to climb to the Mountain in the coming spring” but something said go part way…  so I did.

The climb up the stairs and ramps to the promenade nearly did me in and I looked up at the tower and thought about turning around. However the Mountain called so I climbed up the Tufa Terrace Trail, then on to the Peak Trail. The entire time I was huffing, puffing and thinking Oh you old woman what were you thinking.  I continued to the point where the Honeysuckle Tail branches off, bent over and threw up.

Feeling lighter I figured I would see if I could make it a little higher.  So I decided to climb just a bit further, then one more bend and maybe another incline.  Bent over huffing & puffing I looked up and in the distance saw the observation tower.  I knew I would never forgive myself if I did not continue my climb to the top.  This was pathetic and I was so happy I did not see anyone while I was gasping for air.

Still gasping and puffing I flung open the main doors to the tower like a survivor of a Alpine Plane crash looking for food and water.   Once in the door I realized the Tower was going to cost $7 and I did not bring any plastic.  I poured my purse out on the counter and had exactly the $7 in bills and change.  The Ride to the top was glorious and I began to forget the struggle to get there.

Top of Hot Springs Mountain -Tower View

The air was cool as I stepped out onto the platform and I was thrilled to have it all to myself.  I could see all of Hots Springs, the Lakes and the Surrounding Mountain ridges.  I called Rick and told him where I was and he could not believe I had climbed up to the tower.

Wasp on Hot Spring Mountain Tower Door

As I road down in the elevator thinking how amazing my adventure had been… the the penny dropped.  I still had to hike back down.  I was wearing a pair of old Air NIKE Sneakers… great for the flat walking not so great for the ankles going down an uneven rock covered surface.   I decided to take it very slow and stop to take photos along my journey back down.  I was rewards with lovely photos of two different squirrels… a very enthusiastic reddish gray  squirrel and ghost list gray squirrel whose presence I did not realized I had captured until I was reviewing images on my PC.  This began my love affair with the mountain.  Learn more about the  Peak Trail and view additional Photos.

Peak Trail Squirrel

Peak Trail Gray Ghost Squirrel