Firetower Trek

Spring time brings Bryan's (now) annual hike to the firetower. Typically on a fine - and preferably a work – day we head up the line to Luskville and make the trek up to the tower to enjoy the first look at spring and hike without the bugs. Usual suspects joined in on the hike with one new participant. This year we started our day with breakfast at Moe’s (no the new participant on the hike wasn't Elvis)which was a new but welcome twist. This put us in prime position to head across the Champlain Bridge after the morning rush saving some aggravation as we drove up the line.

Heading up the trail
Volume on the trails on Monday was surprisingly low with just a few small groups of hikers. We did come across one school group which had a wise teacher who understood that there was lots to learn in the woods on a fine spring day. Warm sunshine greeted us as we made the climb. I’ve certainly been pretty relaxed these past few weeks since the snow melted so the climb took its toll. “Measurement rides” just aren’t at a very fast cardio pace so I guess I’ve got to start ramping up the rides if I want to climb the hills this summer.

Rest stop to check out the falls
Once on top there was a welcome break for lunch beside the old tower and perhaps a beverage or two. In past years we’ve been able to find some snow to cool down the drinks but there was no snow left to be seen on this day. Seems like winter ended months ago yet it’s probably only been a few weeks since I put the skis away. However long its been the waterfalls were flowing but surely not rushing down the mountain as we’ve seen in past years. A few early weeks of spring and a pretty small amount of snow over the past winter meant the water levels in the falls weren’t gonna set any records. Didn’t see much in the way of wild life on this hike either. A few hawks circled above the escarpment and Dave nabbed a (somewhat) rare green snake but that was about it. Perhaps the bears were all down by the parkway looking to harass cyclists.

Flume
All in all a good day out. Is this our last hike out here if the new “NCC Conservation Plan” goes into effect? I don’t think so. The Luskville trail (and Ridge road for that matter) appear to be maintained as a recreational corridor through the protected “conservation lands” so we should be able to hike and ski for some time to come… but you never truly know with the NCC. I expect the less official “yellow box” trails that skirt along the escarpment and perhaps old trail "10" will more likely be in danger of closing which is a shame. Perhaps the main trails (Ridge and Lusk) will be fine but venture off the beaten path too far and you’ll find chainlink fences and guard towers protecting the flora and fauna.

Last chance to see? Probably not quite yet...