The Mountains Call To Me

Did this hike with the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club. Cathi Brooks led the hike, with a total of 5 attending. The trail is an out and back, a total distance of 3.4 miles, with 174 feet of elevation gain, a relatively flat hike. Much of the trail is not maintained. The snow was deep, but people had been through before us, except for the last half mile. There was orange ribbons that marked the trail when it got difficult to follow.      Map and hike details: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/18224573365

The original intention of this hike was to go to Split Rock on the Middle Mountain Trail. The snow was so deep we were only able to get to Gore Junction at the Kingdom Heritage Trail. This hike was 2.5 miles out and back, with 434 feet of elevation gain.   Map and hike details: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/18214752338

  East Trail - Mt. Pisgah, 4.5 miles out & back, 1141 elevation gain Wow, it's been 9 years since I last posted on this blog! A lot has changed, I post all my hikes to Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/snowdoghikes . I relocated to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, I talk to a GoPro while hiking, and I became section president of a hiking club, the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club ; and often lead hikes to show others this area of the state. (Click on any photo to enlarge) The Pisgah East Trail , (also known by some as the Long Pond Trail on Pisgah, which can easily be confused with the nearby Long Pond Trail on Bald) is a relatively easy hike on a not very well marked forest road, but to get to the summit you need to take a short steep section on the North Trail, which makes this a much more challenging hike. On this day I was able to wear micro-spikes and walk on top of the snow. At the first field opening be sure to turn right and continue following...

Laura Cowles - Sunset Ridge Trail Loop 4.5 Miles, 2555 elevation gain Mt. Mansfield had been calling to me for a while. My original plan called for a longer loop hike but the forecast called for afternoon thunderstorms. I decided to hike a shorter route on a trail I had never hiked. The Laura Cowles Trail is a trail with limited views and a steep ascent. The trail that parallels it, the Sunset Ridge Trail offers plenty of views and an easier ascent so it has been the trail of choice on other occasions. The sign at the trailhead offers little information; I wondered if it was on purpose?   The hike starts from Underhill State Park . From there it's a short hike to the junction of several trails. The Laura Cowles Trail follows a stream and stays in the woods for much of the hike. On this humid day I welcomed the coolness of the stream and shade. It didn't take long to learn that I had a stair-stepping climb ahead of me.   The trail is a short 1.5 miles from...