Prospect Mountain Parkway toll to be waived to honor veterans

The Veterans Memorial Parkway, which winds up Prospect Mountain in Lake George, has traditionally closed after Columbus Day. Yesterday, New York State DEC announced the road will remain open through Sunday, Nov. 6, and the access fee, $10 per car, will be waived for the weekend of Nov. 5 and 6 to honor the men and women who served in the country’s military.

“Visitors and residents will be able to enjoy the amazing views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains provided by the popular Prospect mountain Veteran’s Memorial Parkway for a longer period of time this fall,” DEC Director Stegemann wrote in a press release.

This is the second year the state has opened the road in November and offered free access. Last year, at the request of area veterans, the parkway was opened the weekend before Veterans Day and the fee waived. Members of local veteran organizations were on hand to greet drivers taking advantage of the free weekend.

The Veterans Memorial Parkway is a five and one-half mile stretch of road ending just below the summit with a parking lot and picnic area. Along the way, three overlooks offer aerial views of Lake George and the surrounding mountains. A short hike from the day use area brings visitors to the summit with its 360-degree view.

The summit of Prospect Mountain once was graced by the Prospect Mountain House. The original hotel was built in 1877 and rebuilt in 1880 following a fire. In 1895, The Horicon Improvement Company opened the Prospect Mountain Incline Railway. Between 1

895 and 1903, the railway carried passengers up the mountain in 32-foot long open cars. The Prospect House again fell victim to fire in 1932 and was not rebuilt. Remains of the railway may be viewed at the summit.

The Prospect Mountain Parkway, dedicated as a Veterans Memorial Highway, opened in 1969, allowing, for the first time, access to the summit by car. Hikers may reach the mountaintop by following the one and one-half mile trail that begins on Cooper Street at the terminus of Montcalm in Lake George Village. A pedestrian overpass, beginning on Smith Street, allows hikers to walk over the Adirondack Northway and begin the steep ascent up Prospect Mountain.