So, a few weeks ago there was some buzz on the street about the new trail up Lyon Mt. Not often we get new trails in the Adirondacks – especially purpose-built hiking trails. The old trail up is an example of the old-style of hiking where the “direct route” was favored. I won’t bore you with a trip report. What you need to know is this: The trail is longer. Though much easier, it takes about an hour longer.
(Large Map)
Here’s a screenshot from Google Earth showing the old trail (red) and new trail (green).
As I mentioned, going up via the new trail is a bit longer.
The new trail is SMOOTH.
We still like the old trail because it “doesn’t waste time”.
Even though you must hike on baseball, softball, cantaloupe, and basketball-sized rocks.
Seriously.
More Stuff about Lyon Mt:
USGS Topographic Map – Moffitsville (5.3 MB)
Historic Map of Lyon Mountain (jpeg 1.5 mb)
On the new trail up Lyon Mountain
New Trail Cut on Lyon Mountain
So you took down my comments about you being the ones that are causing the erosion which results in the boulder fields you then complain about? Nice.
So what do you think that nice smooth trail will look like in a few years?
It will look just like the old trail, a washed out river bed!!
The new trail was built with runoff in mind… as are most modern purpose-built trails.
Water bars are strategically placed to keep water from running down the trail.
I rarely ban comments, but you seem like you just want to argue.
Not picking an argument. Just looking to point out that hiking has caused a great deal of dammage and erosion in the park.
But at the same time those that support hiking are trying to eliminate or significantly restrict other trail uses which do not cause these erosion problems
I like to hike, but some of that trail looks pretty rough. Maybe I’ll take the new trail. I just hope the park has it worked out for the best of both worlds…people and environment. If we can’t get close to nature, who’ll know what it was really like?
Either trail is “close-to-nature”. Maybe you could leave the Kindle at home? Heh.
Dudes, relax. enjoy the trail.
Last fall we took the short way up and the long way down. The ascent wasn’t too bad but very wet since the water tended to flow down the easiest way. The return trail was much longer – my son kept asking “when are going to get there”. The long trail was muddier but went through some nice forest. By the way we went up the short trail with two 5 and two 7-year-olds. The fire tower is not for the faint of heart – the handrails in some places is only very insecure looking chicken wire. I wouldn’t let my kids up.
I think the Southeastern-footer is more of a concern. There’s really almost nothing there.