The Peru Gazette

Submitted by Jean Ryan

The Lyon Mountain summit offers beautiful views of Chazy Lake and the land to the north. To access the trailhead (more photos) proceed on the Chazy Lake Road out of Saranac. At the intersection of the Chazy Lake Road and the Napper Road turn right at the four-way stop and proceed 5.7 miles until you arrive at a seasonal-use dirt road on the left. Follow the seasonal road 0.9 miles to a parking area and the trailhead. (If you’re coming from the north rather than from Saranac the seasonal-use dirt road is 1.8 miles from Route 374).

The currently unmarked trail follows the old trail for about ¼ mile until a sign directs hikers to turn left onto the new trail. At this point it is 3.2 miles to the summit. Shortly after the start of the new trail a footbridge provides easy passage over a stream as the trail travels through a deciduous forest. Utilizing several switchbacks the trail gradually ascends as the forest changes to balsam fir. About 0.5 miles from the summit, the new trail intersects the old trail and progresses through a steep pitch to the summit tower. The view from the summit includes Chazy Lake, Lake Champlain and the many wind turbines in the Rand Hill – Altona area.

The new trail is definitely less strenuous than the old trail because the many switchbacks enable a more gradual ascent and eliminate travel along the old trail’s rock-strewn surface.