Pike Hike

Follow part of the historic trail of Brigadier General Zebulon Montgomery Pike during this year’s Pike Hike on Saturday, April 26, from 1 to 3 pm, in Sackets Harbor. Participants can register for the event, pick up a route map, and start their trek at the (former) Union Hotel, at 401 West Main Street.

The self-guided route weaves its way through the Village, beginning at the Union Hotel, continuing to Pike’s Monument at the Military Cemetery, Fort Pike Park in Madison Barracks, and finishing at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site’s Navy Yard. At each stop, participants can meet soldiers of the Fort Drum 10th Mountain Division Mountain Sappers 41st Engineer Battalion and learn more about Pike’s history.

A renowned military officer and explorer, General Pike discovered the headwaters of five major rivers in the United States. He famously led expeditions through the Louisiana Purchase territory and the Rocky Mountains, which would lead to the highest summit on the Rocky Ridge in Colorado being named Pike’s Peak.

In New York State, General Pike served at Sackets Harbor during the War of 1812. On April 27, 1813, he led a raid on York, Upper Canada (now Toronto), where he was killed. He was brought back to the United States and buried first at the US Navy Yard (now part of the Sackets Harbor Battlefield), later moved to the Madison Barracks cemetery in 1820 with a monument added in 1885, and ultimately relocated to the current Military Cemetery in 1909.

Pike was just 34 years old when he died, but his explorations spanned three countries and more than 9,000 miles. Today’s “General Zebulon Montgomery Pike Trinational Historic Trail” follows his path, which traversed 24 US states, three Mexican provinces, and two Canadian provinces.

The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site and the Sackets Harbor Heritage Area Advisory Committee are partnering to bring the Pike Hike to the community. The event is free, and the public is welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact the Battlefield Historic Site by phone at 315-646-3634 or visit the Battlefield’s website.