While the land remains mostly forested as the road continues its northeast course from Elizabethtown, it begins to descend somewhat as the valley of Lake Champlain draws near. US 9 eventually draws close to the Northway again at Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, the Adirondacks' most popular climbing spot. In Chesterfield, without a major highway junction are ended when NY 22 joins US 9 after its exit, the first pairing of two highways that begin their journey upstate in New York City.