Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower

Of the planned 5 nights at Ausable Point State Park, this was the one showing the clearest skies and hence the day that we would hike to the Poke-O-Moonshine fire tower. As advertised, the trail leaves the abandoned campground at an incredibly steep pitch. Luckily it was only a 1.2mi hike to the summit. Luckily.




Once we reached the top we were greeted by a friendly Ranger/Guide/student dude who was on his last day of duty as our personal tour guide. Without being intrusive, he detailed the view giving names to other peaks in both the ADK and Vermont across Lake Champlain. He even met us again later at the top of the tower and explained how the Rangers of old would pinpoint a forest fire. Then he provided us with a short history of Lake Champlain and the war of 1812. Awesome.






With Poke-O-Moonshine under our belt, we are slowly beginning to chip away at the 23 fire tower treks in the ADK. Add another 5 fire towers in the Catskills and we will have ourselves a full fledged Fire Tower Challenge badge. At this rate, our kids will be pushing us up in wheelchairs for the finale. Still, what's life without a challenge or two?

Falls and Fire Tower Tour 2010

Gatineau Park: Luskville Falls and fire tower (5.8 km)
Parking Luskville: N45 31.965 W75 59.840
Fire tower: N45 32.669 W75 59.753

It's that time of the year again. Spring has arrived and so has the time to hike up Luskville Falls to the fire tower. Joining us this year to mark year five was Ken, Mike, Dave, and Bryce.



Once again the weather was spot on. After the usual halfway pitstop we continued on to the top where we really kicked back and relaxed while we enjoyed some lunch and beverages.





All too soon we were packing up and heading back down to the parking lot. You just can't beat a spring hike on a sunny day. Soon the foliage will be back on the trees (greatly limiting the views) and the bugs will be thirsty (greatly limiting the desire to stop for the views). You learn to take it while you can I suppose.

Cheers until next year!!



Here are links to the previous annual Luskville Falls and Fire Tower hikes.
April 21, 2006
April 21, 2007
April 21, 2008
April 25, 2009

3rd Annual Luskville Falls Hike

Photo by Kenmore.
Gatineau Park: Luskville Falls and fire tower (5.8 km)
Parking Luskville: N45 31.965 W75 59.840
Fire tower: N45 32.669 W75 59.753

I was going through some spring photos the other day and noticed that for the last two years we have kicked off the hiking season with a trek up Luskville Falls. I also noticed that it just so happens that the day has landed on April 21st. Not needing any more of an excuse to take a day off for a hike in the GAT, I emailed the regulars and we all agreed to go for it.





As luck would have it, this was another summer-like April 21st with temperatures reaching a high of 25°C. Add to that, no stinking black flies and a ton of melting snow providing us with a pounding 2km cascade of water and you have a recipe for a day in heaven. What more could one ask for? (scroll down to find the answer to that one)


Photo by Kenmore.

Upon reaching the top we pulled up to our usual resting spot and broke out some lunch and beverages. First round was on Kenmore with a nice selection of Saranac Brewery and Lake Placid Pub & Brewery ales.


Photo by Zartimus.

Lunch was followed by the annual crossing of the falls and trek up to the fire tower. The view from here is truly breathtaking.



At the base of the tower we soaked up some more rays and we even took a moment to build a small icebox using the remains of the frozen x-c ski trail to chill our Grolsch. Sweet.



All in all it was time well spent. And until next April 21st feel free to read up on the other blogs marking this annual event, April 21, 2006 and April 21, 2007.

Azure Mountain family adventure

Azure Mountain: 2518 feet
Parking lot: N44 32.265 W74 29.080
Turn off from highway 458 onto Blue mountain road: N 44 37.819 W 74 29.986

Sunday morning we left Ottawa at around 8:30am and headed south to the Adirondacks for some fresh mountain air. With a little bit of research the day before I decided to take us to the top of Azure Mountain to see one of the 22 fire towers in the ADK.



We arrived at the parking lot at about 11am joining 4 or 5 other vehicles. The weather was amazing for anytime of the year let alone late October. 22°C and nothing but blue skies - definitely shorts and t-shirt weather. Each loaded with snacks and drinks we started out on our day's adventure.

We didn't get too far before I spotted the big pile of rocks and remembered that hikers were being asked to bring them up to leave on the pile up top in order to be later be redistributed in an attempt to fight off erosion. Happy to play our part, we took 10 in all.


Soaking in the amazing view.

The hike up was steep but we had no complaints. When we neared the top we could just make out the fire tower and then the erosion fighting rock pile. Then BLAMMO! The view took our breath away. Amazing. I snapped some photos and we then made our way to the top of the recently restored fire tower to get the full 360°.


It sure was extremely windy at the top of the tower.

After taking in the views we found a small sheltered area out of the wind to rest and enjoy our lunch in the afternoon sun. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Following lunch it was one more trip up the tower and then back to what was now a jam packed parking lot.





All in all it was a successful trip and the weather more than cooperated. We'll definitely be back to tackle the remaining fire towers next summer.

Luskville Falls and the Fire Tower, Gatineau Park

Yesterday was a stellar day. The weather was nothing short of fabulous. Sunshine and 23°C. Perfect conditions for a hike to the top of Luskville Falls in Gatineau Park, Quebec.

Mike and I met up with Ken in the parking lot shortly after 9:30am. Technically it was alongside the road just outside the parking lot as it was still gated while the clean up crew did their spring thing.



Kenmore stops for a shot with his awesome Canon Rebel XT


From there we hiked down the road and then up the 2km ascent, stopping once in a while for one of the many great photo ops.

Spring is definitely the time of year to make this climb. The lack of mosquitoes or even black flies is certainly a plus and the melting snow provides for an amazing cascade of water falling down the side of the Eardley Escarpment (certainly more impressive than the trickle that falls in November).



Once we reached the top we stopped for a little break to take in the breathtaking view. Sweet.

From there we crossed over the falls, hopping rock to rock, and headed up even further to the fire tower.






While Kenmore took the "fast" way down, Mike and I opted for the safer route.

After some lunch and a refreshing Grolsch we headed down yet another trail towards a newly planted geocache, GC10BQW. As we approached the cache (from the wrong angle) a rock climber stuck his head over the top and then rapelled back down. Needless to say we would not be logging a find on this cache today. Regardless it was yet another great spot to stop, soak in some more rays, and enjoy another great view. From here you could see the long line of cars parked just outside the gate. Seems we weren't the only ones enjoying a spring hike.

All in all it was yet another great start to the GAT hiking season.



Cheers.