Lakes to Locks Scenic Byway

Past Lake Champlain and beneath the Adirondack Mountains, visitors will find the Lakes to Locks Passage: The Great Northeast Journey. Driving through the villages and hamlets of theByway sweeps the traveler into a place of old history and new adventures. State parks and preserves offer hiking trails, lakeside beaches, and wildlife spotting opportunities. Paralleling Lake Champlain and the Champlain Canal, the Byway promises scenic views with plenty of history mixed in.

A wonderful multi-day trip that takes you along some of the most scenic landscapes in New York State.  Take the entire journey or explore in portions.  One of the greatest ways to see the beauty of Lake Champlain!  Please view the Lakes to Locks official website for all the details. 

Historic Champlain Shore

Drive South on Route 22 through Willsboro, Essex, Westport, Port Henry, and Crown Point all the way to Ticonderoga.  Stop and take in the scenery while learning about early American history.  A visit to Fort Ticonderoga is a must. Here you will learn about the French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War Periods of the 18th Century.  You'll experience the meanings of freedom, personal sacrifice, and public responsibility - as the stories of men, women, and children whose lives became entwined in the colonial wars unfold through the Fort's collections, educational programs, and reenactments. 

Scenic Adirondack Mountain Drive

Start by heading South on Route 9 through Elizabethtown where you will find the wonderful Adirondack History Center Museum filled with many displays of Adirondack history...even a restored Adirondack fire tower outside! 

Then its a bit further South to Route 73 West where a spectacular passage through 4,000 foot mountains is found.  There are several spots for picnics (no picnic tables readily available) beside brooks & waterfalls.  Or take a hike up one of the Mountains (please...plan accordingly for hikes in the Adirondacks.  Many hikes are full-day adventures that should be planned carefully). 

Route 73 will take you near the John Brown State Historic Site then into Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, where you can view the Olympic Venues (Ski Jumps, Bobsled Track, Arena, and Museum) or shop Main Street, one of the finest shopping areas in the Adirondacks. 

Return to Ausable Chasm via Route 86 East in the shadows of Whiteface Mountain in the Wilmington Notch then Route 9N North from Jay.  Make sure you visit the covered bridge in Jay.  The bridge, while not presently crossing the Ausable River (recently restored and will be back in place within a few years) is a fine example of early-day bridgework.  Then to Route 9N North through Ausable Forks where the East branch of the Ausable River meets the West.

Climb a Mountain...by Car! (and maybe visit Santa!)

A unique opportunity to drive the most dramatic elevation change in New York!  Start at the Chasm (or head a few miles downhill to the shore of Lake Champlain at Port Kent for the lowest elevation - approx 100' sea level) then drive through Ausable Forks on Route 9N South to Route 86 West to Wilmington.  In Wilmington you will head up to the summit of Whiteface Mountain via the Whiteface Memorial Highway...and 8-mile climb!!!  At the summit parking area, take a short hike to the very top or use the in-mountain elevator - either way you'll be treated to a truly amazing 360-degree view of the surrounding wilderness at an elevation of 4,867 feet! 

The kids may want to stop at Santa's Workshop located on the way up to the Whiteface Summit in North Pole, NY.  The magic of Christmas comes alive again when you visit with Santa Claus at his home and workshop, a village of alpine flavor nestled on the side of Whiteface Mountain. Founded in 1949 and designed by Arto Monaco, it is known as the forerunner of the present day theme parks in the U.S.

Lake Champlain Crossing

Just a few miles downhill from Ausable Chasm is Port Kent.  It is here where you can board a ferry to cross the widest portion of Lake Champlain to Downtown Burlington, VT.  This scenic crossing takes about an hour and is filled with dramatic landscapes on both sides of the lake: the Adirondacks to the West and the Green Mountains to the East!  Take your vehicle if planning more in-state trips in Vermont, otherwise, walk-on the ferry (or bike) as the Burlington waterfront area and the Church Street Marketplace is easy walking distance and saves the trouble of parking.  You may also want to visit ECHO - Lake Aquarium and Science Center that is just a short walk from the ferry landing as well. 

Oh Canada!

With the US/Canada border less than an hour away you'll find a wide amount of options available that can fill anyone's appetite.  In Montreal is the Six Flags Amusement Park: "LA Ronde" for the thrill seeker. The Montreal Science Center & IMAX theater, cathedrals, festivals, museums, and more are all found in Montreal.  Just across the border in Hemmingford, Quebec is Parc Safari where you can take a drive-through safari and discover more than 800 animals.  For those with a little extra cash to burn, you may want to visit the Montreal Casino - an easy to get to location on the St. Lawrence River.

Life's a Beach!

So many guests just want to relax at the beach for the day.  Why not?  We have some of the best beaches in the state along Lake Champlain.  Try the small and un-staffed beach at Port Kent for a smaller private setting.  Or head to one of our state parks at Ausable Point or Point au Roche.  Ausable Point offers a staffed beach with large swimming area complete with picnic tables, restrooms, and pavilion.  Point au Roche offers nearly the same but with added hiking/biking trails to each of the three points along the lake as well as a nature center.

Natural Wonders

Visit three other New York Natural Wonders in New York: High Falls Gorge in Wilmington, Natural Stone Bridge and Caves in Pottersville, and Howe Caverns in Howe's Cave.

High Falls Gorge and Stone Bridge are located within an hour and can be visited in the same day, but plan an extra day to visit Howe Caverns that is located West of Albany. 

All these natural wonders provide a unique opportunities to visit nature at its finest.  From waterfalls, natural stone bridges, underground streams, caves, boat rides and more.  Visit www.nynaturalwonders.com for complete information.

Take a Hike!

Ahhh.  The Adirondacks.  A popular hiking destination for residents and travelers alike.  One of the best ways to view the majesty of the region is to take a hike up Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, just South of Keeseville.  Take Route 9 South directly to the trailhead, found about a mile past the I-87 overpass on the right.  As you leave Keeseville you'll be treated to a welcoming view of the mountain as it lies directly in front of you.  Parking is available in the state campground (small fee possible) or along Route 9.  

Leaving the trailhead you'll soon discover what you're here to do - climb a mountain!  The going is tough at times and relentless as this is one of the steeper climbs in the park - thankfully it is not as long as the trails up the "Adirondack 46."  A wonderful view is enjoyed at about the "half-way" ledge overlooking the valley below.  Here you get a good sense of just how far and high you've traveled.

After the much welcomed break the climb continues - thankfully, not quite as steep, but certainly getting some exercise.  After not-to-long-a-time you arrive at the remains of an old cabin.  A chimney is obvious as well as the foundation.  Just beyond the remains by taking a short trail to the left is a lean-to for overnight camping (free).  Taking the trail to the right leads to a ridge looking out towards the "High Peaks."  Soon you'll be climbing a bit more then.....ahhh, the summit!

Amazing views of the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, White Mountains, Lake Champlain, Butternut Pond, Auger Pond, and Canada (even Montreal on a clear day).

Feel free to explore the summit area, but please stay on the rock and trails to prevent erosion.

The climb down is a descent of the trail climbed.  The going is not as tough as the climb, but possibly a bit more dangerous.  Please watch your step and don't rush it - soon you'll be back at the vehicle and feeling like you've accomplished something...you've climbed and Adirondack Mountain.

http://www.apnmag.com/Trail%20Markers/fall%2003/poco.htm

http://www.firetower.org/listings/us265.html