This route is NOT officially maintained. It is strongly recommended you bring a map and compass to navigate off-trail.
Getting there
From the intersection of Route 8 and Route 10 in Piseco, follow Route 10 toward Pine Lake. Continue for roughly 9.5 miles to a rest stop on the left. The old fire tower trail is across the road.
By the numbers
- Distance: 3.8 miles, round trip
- Elevation: 2,550 feet
- Elevation gain: 1,150 feet
Bushwhacking / hiking
Across the road from the parking area there's a faint path leading into the woods that's marked by a flag in a tree. This was the old fire tower trail to the summit of Tomany Mountain. The tower has been removed but the trail is still in good enough shape to follow, and it's decently marked even though it's not officially maintained. The route is flagged well and there are old DEC foot trail markers to assist in route finding. The trail also follows the telephone poles — many of which are still standing — that provided communication to the observer.
The trail starts out moderate and tricky in areas to see as it follows the stream, but look ahead and you are sure to see the next flag. It eventually gets a bit steep as it passes by some decent sized cliffs. They are fun to explore as they have interesting fissures into them.
The trail loops around the back side of the mountain before delivering you to the remnants of the observer’s cabin and then the summit, where there is a benchmark and the footers to the missing tower.
