Falls, Gorges, Chasms

After an incredibly peaceful night, in the "hobbits forest," I set out to find the High Falls Gorge near Lake Placid. The gorge was beautiful, but it felt a bit like a tourist trap. For nearly $13, it was a walk along this gorge, which took less than 45 minutes round trip. It may be true that nothing is free. I just feel like I've gone to many other gorges that were part of a national park or state park system, that were equally beautiful. This one is on private property. I went further up the road and found the ski destination, White Face Mountain. I took a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain. Elevation is close to 4000 ft, so I enjoyed a view with cooler weather in the 60's. It was quite warm and humid today. Continuing on, I reached AuSable Chasm, near Lake Champlain, and checked into the local campground. With the AC running, I left super dog, Jo Jo, and walked about 10 minutes to the chasm. For yet another fee, it allows you to walk a variety of trails from easy to difficult, along the chasm. Some adventure tours, including rafting and climbing, are also available. I completed the Inner Sanctum Trail, which is an intermediate level trail which included many, no really, many...steps. It was midway down into the canyon, but right along the harrowing narrow edge. This chasm was quite a bit different than other canyons in New York, such as Letchworth State Park, which is quite unique. This natural wonder is considered the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. It was beautiful, and I am happy that I could do this level of hike, and certainly had my fair share of climbing up and down steps today. And in this extra sweaty heat, I finally enjoyed a bath house shower, only to have to dodge around muddy puddles, during a torrental thunderstorm on my way back to the Sylver Gypsy. Its all good, no, it's all great....that I have these memorable experiences, whether or not they are free.

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