The vertical track and sliding mount for a smoke detector comprises a guide tube, a lifting tube, and a mounting base. The mounting base may be adapted to couple to a detector. The mounting base may be coupled to the top end of the lifting tube. The detector be raised and lowered by sliding the lifting tube vertically within the guide tube. As non-limiting examples, the detector may be a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, radon detector, natural gas detector, propane detector, or other residential environmental detector or alarm. In some embodiments, a height lock may hold the lifting tube at an elevated position or at a lowered position.