Lyon Mountain has been on my list for a few years, and on Monday, when we knew the High Peaks Wilderness would be packed with vacationers, we chose to experience the summit just across the border in New York City.
Mountain hike in Lyon – NY
A rugged dirt road led us to an almost empty parking lot; we knew we had made a wise decision. The trail entered the woods, traversing a beautiful deciduous forest and crossing several small streams. Yadi, who hasn’t hiked in a while (he hates the heat), was delighted to be with us and cool off in the shaded pools. Our son David was also with us which was fantastic!
Adam, David, and Yadi hike a mossy section of the trail near the top of Lyon Mountain.
When you step into a new area, you never know what you are going to see. This trail was a pleasant surprise and I encourage you to check it out. The switchbacks cut the slope, and the moss and wild flowers made the trail feel wild and lush.
The steel fire tower appeared as soon as we cleared the trees, towering high above the granite outcrops and evergreens. I love a good fire tower, and this one was fabulous! However, before I climbed the tower, I had to check out the view from the ledges.
Lake Chazy stretched out below us, and Lake Champlain stretched out on the horizon. I could see the tops of the High Peaks. It was all I needed! I walked over to the tower to get a full view of the BIG mountains.
From the high height of the tower the views were incredible. Below David and I, Adam and Yadi wandered over the granite ledges, a mosaic of trees and boulders dotted the summit, and the High Peaks became visible, clouds dancing above the peaks.
Adam and Yadi take a selfie next to the fire tower on the mountain in Lyon.
Did the towers really fight the fires? The fire towers offer hikers a breathtaking view of the surroundings, especially the wooded peaks; it wasn’t that long ago that they served an essential purpose. A warden, called a “fire watchman,†lived on or near the summit and climbed the tower to get a bird’s eye view of the landscape and watch for wildfires in the wild.
Climbing to a peak with a fire tower always reminds me of days gone by, and the opportunity to climb one and enjoy the view never gets old!
