Page 16 - Aug_2014

8 Fall hikes

Emily Johnson runs on the Long Trail just north of Mount Ellen near Mad River Glen ski area.
Photo by Brian Mohr/Ember Photo

For color, spectacular vistas and access, here are a few favorites

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By EVAN JOHNSON trail offers killer views of the trees in bloom, and MountHunger, Waterbury, Vt.
Fall in Vermont is ideal for hiking, when the tem-
you won’t find huge crowds.
This 4.4-mile roundtrip hike is a short drive

peratures are cool, the sky clear and crisp, and the from Waterbury Center and gains 2,300 feet 2
bugs are (mostly) gone. Oh, and there’s the annual in a straight shot uphill to the summit, meaning Stratton Mountain, Stratton, Vt.
explosion of color transforming the landscape into you gain elevation with every step. The 3,539-foot Length: 6.8 miles, out and back; 9 miles
the autumnal yellows, reds and oranges we look for- high summit features views of Mount Mansfield and with Stratton Pond loop.
ward to every year.
Camel’s Hump to the west and Groton State Forest This section of the Appalachian/Long Trail begins

And what better way to enjoy the colors than a to the east. On clear days, you can see as far as the at a gradual ascent from the parking area through a
hike?
Presidential Range in New Hampshire. Accessible, mixed hard/softwood forest. At 1.4 miles the trail
Here are eight hikes that make for an exciting day short and popular, it’s a great half-day or shorter crosses Forest Road 341, and begins a steeper climb
or, pack up and go for multiple days.
hike for most.
up the mountain. The trail flattens out while follow-

1 ing a ridgeline, then climbs again using switchbacks.
JerusalemTrail to Mt. Stark, Starksboro, Vt. Getting there: From the town of Waterbury, head At the summit of Stratton Mountain, you can climb
This 6.8-mile roundtrip hike takes a gradual north on Vermont 100 and take the first right after a fire tower with views of Sommerset Reservoir and
climb through mostly hardwood forest. The the Ben & Jerry’s Factory onto Guptil Road. After Mount Snow to the south; to the southwest, Glaston-

last portion of the trail is steep just before connect- .9 miles, take the next right onto Kneeland Flats, bury Mountain; to the west, Mount Equinox and the
ing to the Long Trail at Orvis Outlook. The Glen El- which turns into Ripley Road. At the intersection Taconic Range. You can return the way you came, or
len Lodge, which is an enclosed shelter for overnight with Sweet Road, turn right. Trailhead parking is you can extend the hike for a possible overnight trip
camping, is .3 miles away. Heading .9 miles north to on the right.
by continuing from the summit to Stratton Pond and
the summit of Mt. Stark, the elevation changes very then follow the Stratton Pond Trail 4.6 miles back to
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little and there are views to the east and west. Head- Battell Trail to Mount Abraham, Lincoln, Vt.
the parking lot.
ing to the ski lifts near the summit there are views Mount Abraham via the Battell Trail is a
north and to the east.
5.8-mile round trip with a 2,500-foot eleva- Getting there: Turn off Route 100 to the Arling-
tion gain. The trail reaches the Long Trail just below ton-West Wardsboro Road (also known as the Kelly

Getting there: In South Starksboro turn south off the Battell Shelter. The route then follows the Long Stand Road, the street sign reads Stratton-Arlington
Vt. 17 onto Jerusalem Road. After 1.2 miles on Jer- Trail north up some steep grades of exposed bedrock Rd). Head west on Arlington-West Wardsboro Road
sualem Rd. bear left on Dwire Rd. and follow it 0.5 before reaching more open views at the summit. for 7.1 miles to a large parking area on the north
miles to the trailhead. There is no specified parking Don’t wear dress shoes, and after early fall snows, side of the road. The trailhead is marked by a United

area and space is limited on the roadside, but the
watch for icy patches on the steeper ledges just be-
States Forest Service (USFS) sign.

14 VTSPORTS.COM
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014