Hiking

This fire tower used to be on Tooley Pond Mountain but was moved here by Ranger School Students in the mid 1900’s. The views from the tower are fantastic.

From the parking area, locate the gated road and hike down this. Continue for a couple hundred feet to the trail on the right. This trail will pass through the campus forest and cross a few back roads that are used by the campus. Eventually the trail will come to a foot trail as it crosses the final road. From here the trail approached steep cliffs and swing around to the top of them to the left. Above here there are steep drop–offs. You will climb up a few stairs to another small cliff and swing back around to a small pavilion. Soon after the pavilion there is Tower Road which you will lead you to the tower.

Trailhead Location:

From the intersection of Route 3 and Route 30 in the Village of Tupper Lake follow Route 3 toward Cranberry Lake. Follow Route 3 for 33.4 miles to CR61 (Wanakena Road) on the left. Follow here and make to lefts onto Ranger School Road. Follow this road down to Arboretum Road which bring you behind the Ranger School. Take the first left back to a large parking area by a field.

Distance Round Trip:

2.0 Miles

Elevation:

1700’

Elevation Gain or Loss:

160’

Time Round Trip:  

Family with Young Kids:     3 to 4 hours

Experienced Hiker:         2 to 3 hours

Out of Shape Hiker:     2.5 to 4 hours

Snowshoeing

From the parking area, locate the gated road and continue down for a couple hundred feet to the trail on the right. This trail will pass through the campus forest and cross a few back roads often used by snowmobiles. Eventually the trail will come to a foot trail as it crosses the final road.

From here the trail approached steep cliffs and swing around to the top of them to the left. Above here there are steep drop –offs to be careful around. You will climb up a few stairs to another small cliff and swing back around to a small pavilion. Soon after the pavilion there is Tower Road which you will have to snowshoe to the tower.

A NYS Ranger monument is located on a large erratic, the tower is right behind. This fire tower used to be on Tooley Pond Mountain but was moved here by Ranger School Students in the mid 1900’s. The views from the tower are fantastic.

Be careful on the steps, they can be very slippery.

Approximate Time Round Trip:

Families with Kids:            2 to 3 hours

Experienced Snowshoers:            1.5 to 2 hours

Out of Shape Snowshoers:            2 to 3 hours

Trailhead Location:

From the intersection of Route 3 and Route 30 in the Village of Tupper Lake follow Route 3 toward Cranberry Lake. Follow Route 3 for 33.4 miles to CR61 (Wanakena Road) on the left. Follow here and make to lefts onto Ranger School Road. Follow this road down to Arboretum Road which bring you behind the Ranger School. Take you first left back to a large parking area by a field.

Difficulty: 1=easiest, 5=hardest

One: Easy trail, well used and not too steep. This is a great introduction to snowshoeing.

Additional Important Information: