One of the most frequent questions we get at the Bolton Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is, “Can we drive around Lake George?”
You certainly can! And it is a beautiful trip – which can be done in a few hours. However, if you plan for the day you can take your time, stop at the historical signs and sites and the scenic overlooks, enjoy the drive, have lunch somewhere beautiful, and still be back to Bolton Landing in time for a lovely dinner.
Starting in Bolton Landing, you can go north on route 9N, which will take you all the way to Ticonderoga at the north end of the lake. On the way, you will see the beautiful Northwest Bay and the historical Sabbath Day Point as you make your way to Hague. First settled in 1796, the town was named for the more famous Hague in the Netherlands in 1808.
There is so much fascinating history around Lake George and the surrounding areas! One of Bolton Landing’s more famous authors has a list of local historical books to his credit – look up Bill (William) Gates at the Bolton Free Library and Trees, which happens to be the best place to buy books in any area – Trees has over 2,000 titles, and most are connected with the Adirondacks and Lake George.
Rogers’ Rock Park is next, a wonderful family campground with 301 campsites, access to the lake, and handicap access in many areas. There are day-use areas here, also. More history – the park was named for the famous Major Robert Roger who created and commanded the Rogers’ Rangers company from the colony of New Hampshire during the French and Indian War.
The Rangers were famous for being “a rapidly deployable light infantry task force”. Rogers used tactics no regular military every encountered, many ideas borrowed from the Native American way of conducting warfare, which made him extremely effective. Some of Rogers’ written instructions, Rogers’ Rangers Standing Orders, are still used today to train modern military special forces. (Yes, technically Major Rogers was with the British forces, however, many of his men went on to be very effective leaders in the Patriot army. Rogers offered his services to George Washington, however, Washington feared Rogers was a British spy, and so refused a very good offer!) Rogers Rock also has an interesting history – did he or didn’t he slide 400 feet? Either way, he escaped!
Six miles north from Rogers Rock you are in Ticonderoga at the confluence of Lake George and Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga Creek (the La Chute River in Colonial times. Lake George actually flows north – surprised me!) There is more historical significance here than can be covered in a short space.
If you are needing a “shop” break after all the beautiful scenery – this is the place! Route 9N joins Routes 74 and 22 in Ticonderoga, and you are in retail store and restaurant heaven: Dunkin’ Donuts (yea!), Wal-Mart Super Center, Agway, Aubuchon Hardware and Gardening, both Rite Aid and Rexall drug stores, Italian, American and Chinese restaurants, plus a few bakeries, grilles, cafes and diners.
Or you can continue on to Fo
rt Ticonderoga on Route 22 South – two wars, five battles, one fort which guards the historic passage between the two lakes. (www.fortticonderoga.org) There are historical displays, events and gardens, costumes and re-enactments, fife and drum corps, and yes, even a restaurant. There is a fabulous overlook at Mount Defiance if you would like to take a picnic and enjoy the sites for free. There are hikes available, also.
You can take the Ticonderoga Ferry to Vermont from here (a 15 minute ride), or launch a boat for free, join up with the canal system (Lakes to Locks Passage – see the Maps, Maps and More Maps! blog.) Or you can continue south on Route 22, and head back to Bolton on the east side of Lake George. More about that next time! Or…so many options!
So, what do you think? Did the famous Robert Rogers side 400 feet down a sheer rock face to escape certain capture? Or did he backtrack in his snowshoes and escape through the woods to “live to fight another day”? Did George Washington miss a good thing when he turned Major Rogers down?
Penelope Jewell]]>