I had the wisdom to spend the night at a hotel in Ticonderoga, mere minutes from the fort, so I was able to get to my ultimate destination bright 'n' early. Though I certainly wanted to leap into the fort's ditch the instant I set the parking brake, I trooped into the gift shop/visitor's center to pay admission: $19.20, possibly the most I've ever paid to just to get into a starfort?! But once I was paid up and official, I eschewed the walkway and main gate, and into the ditch I went! Hel-LO, northwest bastion!