It's become a bit of a thing for Hermit to make a run down to Burke Mountain on Veteran's Day in November, or as close to the date as possible.
I call it the "Under the Wire" run because a) weather in the north country is usually getting pretty dicey by Veteran's Day, and b) the toll road's generally closed to vehicles by then.
But I give it my best shot - the first year I had to abandon Bonnie half-way up and walk because the roadway was encased in thick ice.
(Click Photos to Enlarge)
An old sugar shack repurposed. Stop and pay toll here. Tolls vary, depending upon who's working the gate. I've been charged anywhere between nothing and five dollars.
The toll road is shown in beige.
"Every lock that ain't locked when no one's around"
Bonnie pauses near the pavillion half-way up the toll road.
The Mid Burke Express lift - where the toll road dead ends into a parking lot.
The Burke Mountain summit is just a short hike from the parking lot.
Zombie trees, that is.
This one reminds me of a horror movie I saw as a teenager!
Reaching out to hug unsuspecting hikers.
The five-story observation tower at the summit.
Looking down from the observation tower.
Actually just moss and lichen growing on the rocky peak. I have no idea what all those little white lines are. Canals left by some ancient civilization?
Kinda looks like an echography of somebody's small colon, doesn't it?
Specialized, and determined. Very determined.
The observation tower shares the top of the mountain with a rather fantastic collection of telecommunications devices.
And check those breaks, too!
Don't forget to keep your eyes on the road!
