Day 53 Lake George to Ticonderoga, NY

 FT TICONDEROGA

The rain clouds parted, the sun came out and we had a nice walk around town after breakfast. Departed the pleasant resort town of Lake George around 9.

The scenery along the ride was nice, with some peep hole views of the lake, but the ride itself not so good as the shoulder was narrow, the road crowded and the NY drivers very impatient. They much prefer to pass us, even if a car is coming the other way, than wait 5-10 seconds until the oncoming lane is clear. The result, minimal clearance between the passenger mirror and us. I am sure they did not hear the insults I hurled at them. Eventually the traffic thinned and the shoulder got a bit better.

We had a worthy climb (11%) for about 1.5 miles, followed by 5% for another 1.5 miles, probably the steepest significant climb since Montana. I would like to say the view at the top was incredible, but we were in the woods. 

We took a slight diversion off the main road and came across a pretty swank summer community. The YMCA complex in the pics below.

The forecast was for clear skies. You may notice the clouds. Shortly after these pictures the rain hit. We cycled most of the last hour or so in pouring rain with a bit of hail. My Dad would have said this was just a “clearing shower”. After the 3rd clearing shower it finally stopped raining.

We arrived at the hotel about 1 PM, unloaded our bags and headed for Ft. Ticonderoga. The fort was built by the French in the French & Indian war to protect Quebec from British Invasion from the south. The fort was located to stop the British as they portaged from Lake George to the west. The bloodiest conflict until the Civil War occurred here during this war with 2,000 people dying in one day.  

The aerial picture below shows the northern portion of Lake George to the left, while Fort Ticonderoga overlooks the southern portions Lake Champlain. The portage route is to the west of the fort.

Later, the fort was taken by the British, the French blew up much of the fort when they vacated. The Americans Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys captured it early in the revolution. In the following winter Henry Knox took the cannons and ammunition to Boston through snow and ice to help George Washington in the siege of Boston. 

The Fort changed hands a few times between the Brits and US during the Revolution and the War of 1812.  It then fell into disrepair and was pilfered for its stones. In the early 1900s it was bought by a private investor and rehab started, which continues to this day.

Looking SSE from Ft Ti

The Courtyard

Another view south

Inner walls and looking NNW

Notables who visited the Fort

All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon under sunny skies seeing the fort and the associated museum within it.

After the fort, into town for dinner and then back to the hotel. Riding my bike to the fort into town and then back to the hotel, without any bags, was quite nice - a lot less weight.

By the numbers:
Dist 38.7 miles
Elev Gain 2,795 ft
Elev Loss 2,887 ft
Moving Time 3:30

Total Dist. 3,506 miles
Dist Remaining 259 miles