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...

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...

The hike starts at Elmore State Park; from the back left side of the parking lot head towards the park, turn left after reaching a building. There will be a small sign that says trails with an arrow. The trail follows a road for a while then eventually leaves the road. It's a popular trail to a view point where once stood an old fire warden's cabin. From here you can see the fire tower. The trail to the tower is steep and treacherous. It is always icy in winter and micro-spikes or crampons should be used. On the way down I took the path less traveled (surprise!). The Ridge Trail is one mile longer but a safer way to descend the mountain. This trail is a 3.7 mile loop hike with 1,222 feet of elevation gain, but in winter you can add at least another couple miles and more elevation, because the road is not plowed to the trailhead. This is a view of the road. It's a multi-use trail. Please snowshoe to the side and don't posthole! A nice gradual climb winded throu...

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...