Fir is another trailless peak. Two approaches are recommended: branch off the Pine Hill-West Branch Trail a little north of the Biscuit Brook Lean-To, or come over from Big Indian along the Catskill divide. The first begins at the Biscuit Brook trailhead, where a very rocky opening climb leads to a level valley walk and the lean-to after about 2 miles. Reports put the out-and-back at 7.8 miles, with an easy, steady incline for the last 1.5 miles and no ledges to climb, though a rocky section near the top is the roughest ground of the day.
Bring navigation skills. There is no marked route above the lean-to, so a map, compass or a downloaded track matters, and a canister marks the summit. Stream crossings are frequent and can turn dangerous in high water. The summit has minimal views, and despite the name it lacks dense stands of balsam fir; expect typical mixed hardwoods instead.
Adding its neighbor makes an outing of about 10 miles that mixes trail and bushwhack, and a popular loop covers both summits.
