The Mountains Call To Me

  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...

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...

This South Trail is 1.9 miles, with 1,462 feet of elevation gain, a gradual climb to the summit of Mt. Pisgah. The trail is mostly easy, though there are a few intermediate spots along the way (Ha! Right!). It's a popular hike with lots of Canadian hikers; a good place to practice your French. The views are a little farther to the West and North viewpoints. The lake is visible through the trees for most of the way. The Trailhead . It starts off flat and you soon come to a boardwalk.   I caught a glimpse of a King Fisher here, but was unable to get a photo. Lots of beautiful stairs along the way. The first viewpoint looked a little precarious to me. This is as close as I would get. There was also large boulders all along the way. My guess it leftovers from the glacier (Erractics). Finally, after climbing some open rocks I arrive at the South View.   The summit is in the trees with no view. This sign was stolen and we replaced it in 2023.   Breathtaking North View. ...

Every year I set out to photograph wildflowers. It's not easy, they don't grow everywhere. Living in a new location I decided to give this trail a try; another path less traveled. The trails are well marked and multi-use, both mountain bike and hiking. Just off the Robinson Hill Road in Calais, Vt. This waterfall is just before trailhead parking . Coltsfoot Red Trillium The trail starts out wide and well maintained. Spring Beauty   Dutchman's Britches The trail narrows but is still easy to follow.   Trout Lily     Calais Trails Network (pdf)

The Monroe Trail is reached from Waterbury on the East side of Camels Hump. I was not expecting views today and wasn't even sure if I could make it to the summit. Round trip it would be 7 miles and my ankle is still recovering from being broken in September. A gray snowy day with nothing but silence in the woods. I didn't make it to the top, but had a great hike. Finally, after hiking the snowy road for a ways I reach the trailhead. The first 2.5 to 3 miles of this hike is a modest steady climb. The junction with the Dean Trail is at 1.7 miles and it is always a good place to take a break. Up until this point I was wearing micro-spikes but from here the snow gets deeper and I could see where someone was post-holing (a no-no in hiker's etiquette ). The trail actually skirts to the left of these rocks and eventually works its way through them. It's still at least a mile to the summit.   It's a strange feeling to know that you are the only human for miles aro...