Better Late Than Never

It has been over two years, but we finally made it back to our favorite place on Lake Champlain, Valcour Island. It was a spur of the moment decision when we woke to find clear blue skies and not a breath of wind. We just couldn't resist driving from Ticonderoga to the Peru launch ramp, just south of Plattsburgh, and kayaking over to the island. Champlain is a lake of many moods, and it isn't too often that it is flat calm, especially at this time of year.

One of the things that is so special about Valcour is that it has many pretty coves and bays that are all just a little different. You can almost always find protection somewhere around the island in any wind direction. We pulled the kayak up on the rocks in the North Bluff Point anchorage.

Once anchored, or in our case beached, there are all sorts of walking and hiking trails that go around the island and also crisscross through it. We had a great hike visiting several different coves and went up to the Bluff Point Lighthouse.

Looking west to New York from the lighthouse.

South Bluff Point anchorage with the Adirondack Mountains in the distance. The water level in the lake is still quite high.

View from Smuggler's Harbor on the east side of the island looking towards the Green Mountains of Vermont. There are many fossils among the rocks here.

Sloop Cove overlook, still on the island's east side.

Butterfly Bay, back on the northwest side with Plattsburgh in the distance.

Usually the trails are impeccably maintained, but Tropical Storm Irene recently blew down quite a few trees along the pathways. Although challenging at times, we managed to climb over, crawl under, or divert around the debris.

The trails are diverse and meander through fields, marshes, and woods. We even saw deer prints going down to the water.


It certainly was a gorgeous fall day and we are so glad we caught Lake Champlain in such a good mood!