To the east of the Adirondack Mountains, along the shores of Lake Champlain, in Essex County, New York, is a region of incredible scenic beauty. The unique landscape of the Champlain valley offers a wide variety of outdoor exploration throughout the entire year.
Known as New York’s Adirondack Coast, the Lake Champlain region includes nine coastal towns in Essex County. The summertime welcomes tourists to the lake’s shoreline for boating, swimming, and watching for the ever elusive lake monster, Champ. Through the changing colors of fall there are ample opportunities for cycling and hiking. And when winter brings the chilly winds and blanketing snowfall, there are just as many activities for visitors to enjoy. The landscape is transformed and becomes a perfect playground for snowshoeing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking (with micro spikes for safety), and more.
Though the winter this year has been quite mild, “if we have snow, it opens the door to a wealth of other activities,” says Suzanne Maye. Maye represents the region of Lake Champlain for ROOST, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. She knows the local trails well from her own hiking, snow-shoeing, and more. At ROOST, she promotes the area as a Marketing Manager and shares about her own experiences in the outdoors on the Lake Champlain Region blog.
Someone looking for a more mild, tranquil winter activity might try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing over open landscape or groomed trails. During the winter months, many local golf courses open up their snow-covered greens to cross-country skiers. The Lake Champlain region also offers the unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in areas of historic significance.
Man rides fat-tire bicycle on snow trail. [Photo/Lake Champlain Region]
“One of my favorite places to enjoy our regional scenic beauty, smell the crisp fresh air and listen to the scrunch of fresh snow under the snowshoes is the Crown Point State Historic Site,” Maye shares in one of her blog posts. The Crown Point Historic Site is home to the remains of Fort St. Frederic and Fort Crown Point, both of which have been named National Historic Landmarks. Snow-shoers and cross-country skiers can trek past the ruins of these impressive forts which had strategic military importance prior to the Revolutionary War, when France and Great Britain were fighting for dominance in North America.
For anyone looking to hit the area trails, the non-profit land trust Champlain Area Trails (CATS) has ensured they are ready for you. CATS maintains dozens of trails in the region, covering more than 200 miles. Whether you are a novice or an experienced hiker or snow-shoer, there is a trail for your skill level. The trails lead through a variety of landscapes to striking views of the Adirondack High Peaks and outcrops that overlook Lake Champlain.
Looking for an activity to test your agility or raise your heart rate? Fat-tire biking on snow-covered paths is quickly gaining popularity in the Lake Champlain region. Rather than give up biking for the winter season, you can rent a fat-tire bike for your ride along the snowy trails. The tires are the key component of these bikes. They are similar to a mountain bike in their ability to manage uneven ground, but as the name suggests, their tires are wider than a road bicycle or mountain bike. Because the fat tires have a lower tire pressure, they are perfect for a shifting terrain such as you’d find on a snowy or sandy trail.
One adventure unique to the Lake Champlain area is Ausable Chasm, known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. An ancient geological masterpiece, Ausable Chasm is a vertical-walled gorge of sandstone. The chasm was created more than 10,000 years ago from icebergs as they made their way through 500-million-year-old sandstone. The Ausable River cuts through the gorge, emptying out into Lake Champlain. In the wintertime, the snow and ice that cover the gorge create a beautiful display.
“Aside from the rushing water, [there are] gigantic icicles glittering in the sun, some almost 100 feet long. To me, it’s magical,” says Maye as she describes her own experiences of the Chasm.
The Chasm was discovered in 1765 by William Gilliland as he explored the western bank of Lake Champlain. He left in his journal, “It is a most admirable sight, appearing on each side like a regular built wall, somewhat ruinated, and one would think that this prodigious clift was occasioned by an earthquake, their height on each side is from 40 to 100 feet in the different places; we saw about a half a mile of it, and by its appearance where we stopped it may continue very many miles further.”
In the coming years, civilization sprang up along the Ausable River, including saw mills, paper mills, and the Ausable Chasm Horsenail Works which at one point produced two tons of iron nails per day, thanks to the Ausable River’s powerful currents that powered its water wheel.
Today, the chasm can be explored year round. During the winter, both self-guided and guided tours are available. Snow shoes and ice cleats are available for rent as required by the wintertime conditions.
There is no shortage of winter fun to be had throughout the Lake Champlain region. Whether you prefer the thrill of fat-tire biking through powdery snow or the more tranquil past time of a short walk on a smooth, well-groomed trail; whether you’ve never worn a snow-shoe before or you’re a seasoned hiker, the Lake Champlain Area can accommodate.
Adventure, Camping, Destinations, Hiking Trails, Outdoors, Vermont