Hunger Mountain - Waterbury Trail - Waterbury, VT

 I had not hiked this trail since the mid-1990's. I remembered it being especially difficult near the top because of the rocks and steepness. Add ice and this trail becomes especially challenging; 2,290 feet of elevation in less than 2 miles. Out and back is 3.8 miles.


The beginning of the hike is a nice winding trail up the mountain.


There are several cascades of waterfalls.The trail crosses the stream here.

Shortly after the stream crossing it was time to put on the micro-spikes.

As I continued to climb the trail got icier and icier.



Looking past the sign towards Stowe and Mt. Mansfield.

Uhm, did I come up this?

That looks like a tight squeeze! Are you sure I came through here?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Laura Cowles Trail - Sunset Ridge Loop - Mt. Mansfield - Underhill, VT

Image
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...
Read more

Bluff Community Trail - Lookout Trail Loop - Bluff Mountain South - Island Pond, VT

Image
Bluff Mountain is in Island Pond, Vermont. A 1.5 mile hike to the summit with 1095 feet of elevation gain, then another .1 mile to the Lookout. The Bluff Community Trail is an intermediate hike that gets steep near the top. The Lookout Trail is difficult. A shorter hike (0.8 miles) that is 746 feet elevation gain,  straight up near the summit with metal rungs built into the rocks. I recommend going up this trail rather than down. I was sliding on my butt down the first section of this trail.   There is a nice parking area at the trailhead. The trail starts through a beautiful red pine forest. Then it is a gradual climb through some mixed forest.   Soon the trail leads through some beautiful white birches. There has been some great trail work done. Some stone steps to help you along the way. How much farther? Here's your answer. Getting near the top it gets steeper.   Puncheons! I liked how these were staggered. Done any balance beam practice lately?   Fin...
Read more

Healdville Trail - Okemo Mountain - Mount Holly, VT

Image
  This 3 mile hike (6 miles RT) ascends 1900ft to the summit of Okemo Mountain (3343ft). I first hiked this trail in December of 2015. The trail follows a stream for a while before making a few switchbacks and meandering gently through a beautiful hardwood forest before making a final ascent through dense and rocky terrain to the summit. On this warm December day there wasn't much for views. The trail follows a beautiful mountain stream with small cascading falls.   The trail levels out and meanders gently through the hardwood forest. Heading into the clouds but they seemed to keep rising as I approached. Around the 2.5 mile mark we get a view to the west. As we near the summit the trail passes the remains of the fire wardens cabin. Finally the summit and fire tower. From the top there are 360 degree views. On this day I did not bother to go up. I returned on a beautiful day in October of 2023 to capture some photos from the firetower.   Looking towards Mt. Ascutney...
Read more