Ticonderoga was not only a significant fort, it was also the key connecting point between Lake Champlain and Lake George—at least if you want to go the easy way.
Ticonderoga means the place between two waters. Lake George to the southwest drains into Lake Champlain via La Chute River. Traditionally, the easiest route from Canada to Albany was to travel south on Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga and there portage—or carry—the boats over a short land pass to Lake George. They would take their boats out of the water and then haul their boats by land over to Lake George. Once they reached the south end of Lake George, they would portage again from Lake George to the Hudson River at Fort Edward. This was the route that Burgoyne intended to take through this wilderness. He wrote about it in his plan “Thoughts for Conducting War from the Side of Canada.”
On June 30 at 7AM, a shot was fired from one of the Rebel boats that was patrolling the lake, signaling that Burgoyne’s army had come within view. Major General Baron Riedesel and his Germans were advancing up the east shore toward Mount Independence, while Brigadier Simon Fraser and Major General William Phillips were traveling up the west shore toward Ticonderoga.
On July 2, Fraser sent his nephew Capt. Alexander Fraser with the Canadians and Indians, supported by 600 men of the advance corps, around the west to cut off the Rebel retreat to Lake George. Having seen the British approach, the Rebels had set fire to the defensive works on Mount Hope before scrambling back to Fort Ticonderoga.
Despite all efforts by the Rebels to fortify their position, Burgoyne had the upper hand.
After leaving Mount Hope Cemetery, turn left toward Ticonderoga. Go over the bridge and park on your right, at the Ticonderoga Heritage Center. Stretch your legs and do the River Walk Trail. You can listen to track 12 while walking the short trail or listen to it in your car here.
La Chute River Walk Trail: Enjoy a short walk along the three-mile trail, a foot path with various interpretive signs, illustrating the history along this small river. Go here, for more information.
Recommended Detour, Portage Road: Once you’ve finished at this site, we recommend taking a short detour along the Portage Road. If Burgoyne had stuck to his original plan, this is the path he and his troops would have taken. They would have carried their boats from below La Chute falls, up along the Portage Road to get to the headwaters of Lake George, which you will clearly see straight ahead of you at the end of Portage Road.
Bodette’s Barbeque. A BBQ lover’s delight. 133 Montcalm St, Ticonderoga.
Burgoyne Grill. Restaurant and bar part of the hotel with variety of standard menu options. 260 Burgoyne Rd. @ Best Western, Ticonderoga.
Burleigh’s Diner. Classic diner with classic diner options and reasonable prices. 121 Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga.
Fort View Inn. Restaurant offers a view of Fort Ticonderoga and a wide variety of foods. Great wings. 325 State Route 22, Ticonderoga. This is also the next stop on your audio tour.
Hot Biscuit Diner. Authentic country diner with hearty fare. 14 Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga.
Wind-Chill Factory. Ice cream, floats, shakes—big portions and a wide variety of flavors. Pizza, subs, and sandwiches too. 794 State Route 9N, Ticonderoga.
A most fortunate coincidence for British intelligence:
General John Burgoyne knows that connecting to Lake George at Ticonderoga is the much easier water-path to Albany. But it may not be possible:
After seeing the British approach, the Rebels abandoned Mount Hope: