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View to the northeast
Lyon Mountain
Adirondacks, New York State
October 2, 2007
Distance: 7.0 km (4.3 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 604 m (1982 ft)
When Dinah and I flew to Montreal to visit her relatives, we didn't exactly find ourselves in a scramblers' Mecca. The closest mountain appeared to be Lyon Mountain in the Adirondacks in New York State. At 1172 m Lyon Mountain is lower than the City of Calgary's Nose Hill (1230 m) and can't compare with the Canadian Rockies that we frequent.
Milquetoasts indicated it was an hour and a half drive, but with morning rush-hour traffic in Montreal, one missed turn and a delay at the border, it took us nearly three hours to reach the trailhead.
The trail followed a rocky streambed that was impossible to lose (a new, smoother trail is planned). The ascent took an hour and ten minutes. We hiked in trees until we reached the summit and even then the forest encroaching the bare rock of the summit offered limited views. An abandoned fire lookout afforded far better views, although we could see little of the distant peaks because of cloud cover. On a clear day, it's possible to see Montreal.
After climbing down from the lookout, we met a guy who lead us through the woods along a path to see Avril Mountain – "It's worth a ten-minute hike to see," he told us. The descent down Lyon Mountain was fast: 30 minutes.
Our first impression of the Adirondacks wasn't encouraging, but we returned in a couple of days to climb the two highest peaks there.
Lyon Mountain seen from Chazy Lake
Hiking up the trail
Colourful fall leaves
We passed the remains of a fire observation cabin by the trail
The trail was a bit rough
WE got a glimpse of the lake through the trees
Boulders appeared as we neared the summit
The trail was a bit rough
We caught a glimpse of Chazy Lake through the trees
In the lookout (mouse over for a close-up)
Strange to say, but I'm looking down at Dinah as she stands on the summit
Looking south at Whiteface Mountain. Mount Marcy looks fuzzy left of it.
Our guide led us to a view of Avril Mountain. Avril lies west and is 3 m shorter than Lyon.
Heading back down the trail
Moffitsville (4.3 mi, 3845 ft, 1926 ft)