Page 15 - July_2014

Above. Moose on the watch.

Left: A group reaches the summit of Mount Mansfield.

similar to that of the Arctic tundra and is reached from the Red Trail that, for those

extremely rare for Vermont. Head North not eager to conquer the summit, leads to
from the CCC road in Underhill, Vt. for Lookout Rock. From Lookout Rock, hik-
1.4 miles until intersecting with the Long ers have an excellent view of Manchester
Trail. Follow the Long Trail 0.2 miles to Valley, the White Mountains, Mount As-
the chin, the highest point of the moun- cutney, and Mount Monadnock.
For a calmer hike, Lookout Rock can
tain. The CCC road can be reached from
the Mountain Road in Underhill State also be reached via the Yellow Trail. The
Park. Contact: Underhill State Park, 352 primary access point is the green entrance
Mountain Road, Underhill, Vt., 802- gate at the designated parking to the Red
899-3022.
Gate Trail. Drive west on West Union
Street and turn right at the end of the
DEVIL’S GULCH, EDEN, VT.
paved section. The gate is a short distance

Only 0.2 miles long, this section of the below the Red Gait Trail. Skyline Dr, Ar-
trail known as Devil’s Gulch is one of the lington, Vt., (802) 362-1114.
most difficult portions of the Long Trail
due to the rocky terrain and occasional and then Mountain Road. This trail leads hand experience of the biodiversity Shaw MOUNT MANSFIELD, STOWE, VT.
maneuvering around boulders.
to the Pogue, a man-made 14-acre pond Mountain and Natural Area has to offer. At 4,300 feet, Mount Mansfield is
(rumored to be bottomless) located in Contact the Nature Conservancy with Vermont’s highest peak. There are count-
The trail is a 5-mile loop and takes
most of a half-day. Crossing Route 118 the park’s Mount Tom Forest. Marsh- any questions at 1 (703) 841-5300.
less trails, including the Long Trail, to
and entering the woods, the trail climbs Billings-Rockefeller National Historical choose from when hiking Mansfield.
to its high point at 1,580 feet. It then Park, 54 Elm Street Woodstock, (802) MOUNT EQUINOX, MANCHESTER, VT.
On the eastern side is Stowe’s Smug-
begins a descent to Ritterbush Outlook, 457-3368 ext 22.
Although the Skyline Drive, a private- gler’s Notch State Park for those interested
ly owned toll road, takes drivers to the in the history of the mountain pass. The
providing a view of Ritterbush Pond and SHAW MOUNTAIN, BENSON/WEST summit of Mount Equinox, hikers pass
nearby hillsides. Heading down, the hiker HAVEN, VT.
trailhead lies along highway 108, includ-
comes to a junction with Babcock Trail, through two ecosystems on this half-day ing an access point to the Long Trail fol-
eventually climbing 0.4 miles to the East- Shaw Mountain Natural Area is a hike. The lower elevation system is home lowing the Toll Road. At the top of the
ern Entrance of Devil’s Gulch.
600-acre site preserved by The Nature to whitetail deer, moose, bobcat, black Tool Road, park, then hike following
Once in the Gulch, the trail leads over Conservancy and is perfect for hikers bear, fisher cats and a variety of plant life. the white blazes above the tree line. This
looking for a calm walk with a focus on Above 2,800 feet a new ecosystem con- walk leads to the summit after 1.2 miles.
slippery logs, under a small cave, and nature. In addition to Shaw Mountain, a
through fallen rocks and boulders, per- tains peregrine falcons, eagles and snow- Other approaches from this side are half-
fect for exploring. The Gulch ends, re- limestone mountain rising over 500 feet, shoe hare.
day journeys.
turning the hiker to Babcock Trail.
the surrounding natural area is home to Located in the town of Manchester, The most common method of reach-
The rest of the trail leads to the south- 11 different plant communities, including Mount Equinox is the highest point in ing the summit of Mount Mansfield is
ern end of Big Muddy Pond, winds a shrub swamp, vernal pools and an oak- the Taconic Mountain Range at an el- Sunset Ridge Trail on the West side of the
hickory forest. Beginning at the preserve evation of 3,848 feet. The summit is a mountain. The elevation and harsh cli-
through young forests, and then weaves
parking area, a 2.4-mile nature trail leads four-mile climb from Manchester on the mate on this side of the mountain result in Continued on page 21
around the area, providing visitors a first-
Burr Burton Trail. This trail can also be
vegetation found along the summit’s ridge

JULY 2014
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