The Mountains Call To Me

This trail no longer has public access, the trailhead was closed several years ago. It was a great day in the NEK for a hike. My friend Ben joined me on this hike into the wild. You might remember the last time I tried this hike I missed the trail because the sign was hidden. The trail starts off through open fields. Shortly after entering the woods we followed a stream near these fractured rock cliffs.   Early on the trail follows an old logging road or possibly the road to the top. On my last visit I had my tripod and took a photo of this that won "photo of the day". Finally, the summit! In 2005, the Northeast Kingdom Section of the Green Mountain Club helped restore this firetower. This is looking northeast towards the Connecticut River. The remnants from the old fire wardens quarters.  

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...

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...

Stowe Pinnacle is located in Stowe, Vermont. There are two trails to Stowe Pinnacle. I took the shorter trail today from Pinnacle Meadows; this hike is about 4 miles out and back with about 1,863 feet of elevation gain. Both trails are very popular. Pinnacle Meadows From the parking area the hike follows an unused road for about a 1/4 mile. The trail. From here it is about 3/4 mile to the junction with the Stowe Pinnacle Trail. This sign makes me smile, .65 miles to the summit. A little exact don't you think? Then a junction with the Skyline Trail. This trail is about 12 miles long and follows along the Worchester Mountain Range.   Ah, thanks for the steps? Windy with flying snow. The valley is behind me.  A view southwest from the Pinnacle.  Not much for views today. Heading back down the trail. Map & Directions: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/stowe-pinnacle

This trail follows an old carriage path for 3/4 of the hike, then climbs steeply to the summit. Beautiful views. This is approximately a 4.1 mile out and back with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain. It's possible to make this a loop hike over Hunger Mountain. I broke my ankle on this trail, after slipping on some wet rocks and getting my toe caught under a root. I hobbled off the mountain with the help of hiking poles and discovered later that it was broken. The trailhead was a bit challenging to find but with the Day Hikers Guide and the road signs I was able to find it. A short distance into the hike I came into a blackberry patch and sure enough encountered a black bear. This is what most of the hike looked like. End of the carriage road a start of the climb. Ladders The first view. Looking at Hunger Mountain. Looking west towards the Green Mountain Range. The summit of White Rock ahead. A view towards Mt. Mansfield and Stowe, Vt.   Hence the name White Rock Mountain. A view o...