Mud Season Hiking
What is mud season, anyway?
When the snow starts melting and the temperatures get hotter, most of us want to get outdoors and hike! But, mud season is not an excellent time for hiking in sure areas. Rain and melting snow at higher elevations are preserving a lot of Vermont’s hiking trails moist and muddy. When hikers tramp on saturated soils, they cause soil compaction and erosion in addition to injury to the trail and surrounding vegetation. Please assist protect the delicate trails this time of year by staying off muddy trails.
Higher elevation soils take longer to dry out. And after heavy snowfall this winter and following spring rains, the trails will take longer than regular to dry out. A trail may be dry on the trailhead, but is muddy at the next elevation this time of 12 months. If you discover this taking place, please flip around! Trails at lower elevations, dust roads, and recreation paths present wonderful places for early spring strolling.
Along with the hotter weather, there are lots of aspects of nature beginning to emerge for us to get pleasure from. Thank you for serving to to protect our lovely pure resources!
Guidelines to observe when hiking this time of 12 months
* If a trail is so muddy that you want to walk on the vegetation beside it, turn again and seek one other place to hike.
* Plan spring hikes in hardwood forests at lower elevations.
* Avoid spruce-fir (conifer) forest at higher elevations and on north slopes earlier than late May and from the tip of October until frozen or snow coated.
* Camels Hump and Mt Mansfield trails are closed from April 15 via the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend. Please don’t hike right here. Stay beneath 3000 ft during these times of year.
Staying away from sure locations throughout mud season makes them ready to enjoy this summer season. Have enjoyable out there!
For extra data, and other mud season hiking choices, try the Green Mountain Club’s information on Mud Season hiking.
Mud Season Hiking
Below is a list of great locations that we suggest usually for hiking during mud season, in addition to some more detailed details about this time of year.
The following trails are usually open midway via mud season:
Hiking Overview
Vermont State Parks supply all kinds of hiking alternatives. Whether you are looking for a simple, household pleasant hike or in search of excellent views from a summit hike, or one thing in between, there’s a trail nearby ready for you.
See our list of hiking trails for some concepts, then go get more information from certainly one of our maps or hiking guides. Grab your pack and a picnic lunch and hit the trail.
Hiking Trails
Click the buttons to view specific descriptions, together with trail length, difficulty, estimated hiking time, and kid-friendliness. Printable PDF trail maps are additionally provided.
Northwest:
Burton Island, Knight Island, Knight Point, Lake Carmi, Niquette Bay, Underhill, Woods Island
+ Show TrailsBurton Island State Park
Park map and guide (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyWest Shore Trail0.75One means or loop to different trailsEasy1 hourWoodland, LakesideNorth Shore Trail(PDF)0.50One way or loop with Eagle Bay TrailEasy30 minWoodland, LakesideEagle Bay Trail0.50One way or loop with North Shore TrailEasy30 minWoodland, LakesideIsland Farm Nature Trail(PDF)1.00LoopEasy1 hourWoodland, MeadowSouthern Tip Trail1.00One wayEasy1.5 hoursWoodland, Meadow, ViewKnight Island State Park
Park map and guide (PDF)Trail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyWest Trail1.00Loop when mixed with East or Cross TrailsEasy1 hourWoodland, LakesideEast Trail1.00Loop when combined with West or Cross TrailsEasy1 hourWoodland, Lakeside, ViewsCross Trail0.50Connector TrailEasy30 minWoodlandNiquette Bay State Park
Park map and information (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyMulhley Trail1.30One way or loop with different trailsModerate45 minsWoodland, ViewsBurns Trail1.00One way or loop with different trailsEasy20 minsWoodland, ViewsAllen Trail0.50One way or loop with other trailsEasy15 minsWoodlandLedges Trail0.90One means or loop with different trailsModerate30 minsWoodland, ViewsIsland View0.25LoopModerate15 minsWoodland, ViewsUnderhill State Park
Park hiking trails (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyCCC Road to Sunset Ridge1.00One wayEasy1 hourWoodlandCantilever Rock Trail0.90One wayModerate1 hourWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsSunset Ridge Trail to Chin2.30One wayDifficult2.5 hoursWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsLaura Cowles to Chin1.70One wayVery difficult2.5 hoursWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsHalfway House to Nose1.50One WayDifficult2 hoursWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsCCC Road to Maple Ridge Trail1.10One WayModerate1 hourWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsMaple Ridge to Nose2.10One WayDifficult3 hoursWoodland, Cliffs, ViewsLong Trail Nose to Chin1.20One WayModerate1.5 hoursCliffs, ViewsNortheast:
Brighton, Elmore, Kettle Pond, New Discovery, Ricker Pond, Little River, Seyon Lodge, Smugglers’ Notch, Waterbury Center
+ Show TrailsBrighton State Park
Northeast Kingdom Nature Trail (PDF)Trail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyRed Pine Trail0.33Loop with Main or Shore TrailEasy20 minWoodlandMain Trail0.50Loop with Red Pine or Shore TrailEasy45 minWoodlandLogger’s Loop0.25LoopEasy15 minWoodlandShore Trail0.40Loop with Red Pine or Main TrailEasy20 minWoodland, LakesideElmore State Park
Park map and information (PDF)Trail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyMountain Brook Nature Trail(PDF)0.50One WayEasy20 minWoodland, WetlandFire Tower Trail1.74Loop with Ridge TrailModerate to difficult1.5 hoursWoodland, Firetower, ViewsRidge Trail2.3Loop with Fire Tower TrailModerate to difficult2.25 hoursWoodland, Firetower, ViewsGroton Forest Trails – New Discovery State Park
Groton State Forest summer season trails map and guide (PDF) andGroton State Forest trails on Trailfinder Trail NameMileage Loop or One Way DifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-Friendly New Discovery to Osmore Pond 0.50 One Way Easy30 minWoodland, Lakeside Osmore Pond Hiking Loop 2.00 Loop Easy2 hoursWoodland, Lakeside Little Deer Trail zero.50 One Way Moderate30 minWoodland, Views Big Deer Mtn Trail 0.ninety One Way Moderate45 minWoodland, Views Hosmer Brook Trail 1.30 One Way Moderate1 hourWoodland, Stream Nature Trail zero.60 One Way Easy45 minWoodland Coldwater Brook 1.90 One Way Moderate2 hoursWoodland Owl’s Head 1.50 One Way Easy1 hourWoodland, Views Peacham Bog four.50 Loop Moderate3.5 hoursWoodland, Bog Silver Ledge Trail zero.60 One Way Moderate to difficult30 minWoodland, Views Peacham Bog Nordic Trail 5.00 One Way Moderate1.5 hoursWoodland, BogLittle River State Park
Little River trails information and map (PDF) Trail NameMileage Loop or One Way DifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-Friendly Nature Trail(PDF) 0.50 Loop Easy45 minWoodland, Stream Dalley Loop Trail three.fifty five Loop Moderate3 hoursWoodland, Stream Stevenson Brook Trail 2.50 One way or loop with other trails Moderate1.5 hoursWoodland, Stream Sawmill Trail 0.55 One Way Moderate to difficult45 minWoodland, Stream Hedgehog Hill Trail 1.30 One Way Moderate2 hoursWoodland Ricker Farm Trail 1.21 One Way Moderate1 hourWoodland Kelty Corners Trail zero.fifty six One Way Moderate45 minWoodland Foster’s Trail 1.4 One Way Moderate1 hourWoodland Cotton Brook Road Multi-Use 6.47 One Way Moderate7 hoursWoodland, StreamSmugglers’ Notch State Park
Smugglers’ Notch trail map and information (PDF) andSmugglers’ Notch trails on Trailfinder Trail NameMileage Loop or One Way DifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-Friendly Sterling Pond Trail1.1 One Way Moderate to difficult1 hourWoodland, Lakeside Hell Brook to Chin 1.eighty One Way Difficult2 hoursWoodland, Mountain Long Trail N. to Sterling Pond3.00 One Way Difficult2 hoursWoodland, Mountain Long Trail S. to Chin 2.7 One Way Difficult3 hoursWoodland, Mountain Long Trail Nose to Chin 1.20 One Way Moderate1 hourWoodland, Mountain, Views Haselton to Mt. Mansfield Nose2.3d One Way Moderate2 hoursWoodland, Mountain, Views Bingham Falls zero.3 One Way Easy1 hourWoodland, WaterfallSouthwest:
Bomoseen, Branbury, Button Bay, Emerald Lake, Half Moon Pond, Lake Shaftsbury, Lake St. Catherine, Mt. Philo, Woodford
+ Show TrailsBomoseen State Park
Park hiking trails (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyBomoseen Hiking Loop1.50LoopModerate1 hourWoodland, PondSlate History Trail0.75One WayEasy1 hourWoodland, SlateGlen Lake Trail4.50One WayModerate4 hoursWoodland, Lakeside, ViewsDaniel Coffey Memorial Trail0.75One WayEasy1 hourWoodland, PondBranbury State Park
Park hiking trails (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyNature Trail0.50LoopEasy45 minWoodlandRattlesnake Point1.50One WayModerate to difficult3-4 hoursWoodland, ViewsFalls of Lana1.00One WayEasy45 minWoodland, WaterfallsSilver Lake1.60LoopModerate2 hoursWoodland, LakesideMt. Moosalamoo Campground Trail6.80LoopModerate to difficult5-6 hoursWoodland, BrooksSoutheast:
Allis, Camp Plymouth, Fort Dummer, Gifford Woods, Jamaica, Lowell Lake, Molly Stark, Mt. Ascutney, Quechee, Townshend, Wilgus
+ Show TrailsGifford Woods State Park
Park map and information (PDF)Trail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyOld Growth Interpretive Trail0.10LoopEasy10-15 minWoodlandKent Brook Trail1.10LoopEasy to moderate45 minWoodlandAppalachian TrailModerate to difficultWoodlandPond and Waterfall Loop3.50LoopEasy2.5 hoursWoodland, Brooks, PoolsDeer Leap Overlook4.00Round TripModerate2.5 hoursWoodland, ViewsMt. Ascutney State Park
Park map and guide (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyBrownsville3.20One way to different parking areaModerate to difficult3 hoursWoodland, Mountain, ViewsFutures4.60One approach to other parking areaModerate to difficult4 hoursWoodland, Mountain, ViewsWeathersfield2.90One approach to other parking areaModerate to difficult3 hoursWoodland, Mountain, ViewsWindsor2.70One approach to different parking areaDifficult2-3 hoursWoodland, Mountain, ViewsSummit Trail1.40Round TripModerate2 hoursWoodland, Mountain, ViewsQuechee State Park
Park hiking trails (PDF) andpark trails on TrailfinderTrail NameMileageLoop or One WayDifficultyHiking TimeDescriptionKid-FriendlyQuechee Gorge Trail1.00Round journey from bridge to backside of gorgeModerate1 hourWoodland, Gorge1.50Round trip from Visitor Center to bottom of gorgeModerate1.5 hoursWoodland, Gorge1.50Round journey from bridge to Dewey’s PondModerate1 hourWoodland, Falls2.00Round journey from Visitor Center to Dewey’s PondModerate1.5 hoursWoodland, FallsTrail Recommendations
Vermont has many superior trails for hikers of all ages and talent levels. Here are just a few our recommendations.
Branbury State Park
Located on the shores of Lake Dunmore,Branbury State Parkabuts the 400,000 acre Green Mountain National Forest and the 20,000 acre Moosalamoo Recreation Area. There are over 70 miles of trails in this area of mountains and lakes traversing the western slopes of the Green Mountains.
Some in style trails are the “Falls of Lana” which outcomes in a series of cascading falls carved out of rock, “Rattlesnake Point”, which has breeding peregrine falcons and panoramic views of Lake Dunmore, and “Silver Lake”, a hike to a small, scenic mountain lake.
Camel’s Hump
Ready to go on the Monroe Trail at Camel’s Hump State ParkOn the Duxbury facet of Camel’s Hump State Park, the Monroe Trail is considerably difficult, however there’s also a universally-accessible loop with its personal parking area. This loop is 8/10 of a mile lengthy, is broad and flat, and has three viewing spots to the summit of Camel’s Hump – it is excellent for small youngsters and elders.
On the Huntington facet, the Burrows Trail is a bit shorter and attracts plenty of hikers. Always a good idea to get there early (8AM) on a great climate weekend day to get parked and on the trail.
All trails get extra rugged as they get closer to the summit.
Gifford Woods State Park
Gifford Woods State Parkis an necessary hiking crossroads the place two main hiking trails meet. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine, and the Long Trail, which runs the length of Vermont meet in the park. If you have been so inclined, you would literally hike from the park south to Georgia or north to Maine.
Nearby Green Mountain National Forest and Coolidge State Forest also offer numerous loop hikes. There are spectacular views from the Deer Leap Mountain trail and beautiful waterfalls along Thundering Brook Trail. The proximity to all these nice hiking opportunities make Gifford Woods State Park a well-liked pass through location for hikers.
Mt. Ascutney
We know at present that Mount Ascutney is a monadnock and isn’t related geologically to surrounding hills. Rather, it stands alone and shares a geological historical past more carefully with the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are 4 trails that run from the base of the mountain to the summit which are connected by a relatively degree trail that follows the ridgeline and crosses the summit. They are:
* The Weathersfield Trail. The trail runs 2.9 miles alongside the south face of the mountain, passing Cascade Falls, the largest waterfall on the mountain.
* The Windsor Trail. The trail runs 2.7 miles to the summit, passing a small waterfall and the stays of an old stone shelter.
* The Brownsville Trail. This trail is three.2 miles and follows an old logging street, passing an old granite quary and offering nice views from the north and west.
* The Futures Trail. This four.6 mile trail is the longest on Mt. Ascutney. It may be accessed at two points alongside the state park mountain road.
The Mt. Ascutney Parkway is a 3.7 mile paved street leading to the summit, revealing many glorious scenic views. Additionally, there’s a .7-mile aspect trail to an remark tower on the summit with a panoramic view of the encompassing countryside.
Mt. Mansfield East Side (Underhill State Park)
Underhill State Parkis a half of Vermont’s 34,000-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest. The park is on the western face of Mt. Mansfield, nearly half means up the state’s highest peak.Over the summit ridge is the Stowe Mountain Resort, one of North America’s original ski areas.
From Underhill State Park there are 4 hiking trails to the summit ridge of Mt. Mansfield. The Sunset Ridge trail (3.2 miles to the summit) is the most popular.
Vermont’s Long Trail traverses the summit ridge and, with a number of trails up each side of the mountain, many loops are attainable. The ridgeline is almost completely above tree line, so on clear days you have unobstructed views of the encompassing peaks and valleys, even to Lake Champlain within the distance, and New York’s Adirondack mountains far beyond.Mount Mansfield is certainly one of the two spots in Vermont the place you will discover true alpine tundra, a vegetative kind more common in arctic zones far to the north.
Mt. Mansfield West Side (Smugglers’ Notch State Park)
On the opposite aspect of Mount Mansfield from Underhill State Park, liesSmugglers’ Notch State Park. Smugglers’ Notch is a slim cross by way of the mountain with spectacular 1,000 foot cliffs on either side. The cross was as quickly as used as a smuggling route between Vermont and Canada. Today, it is a favourite haunt of nesting peregrine falcons, ice climbers and hikers.
The street is passable by autos only in summer season and is very slender and winding with many switchbacks and hairpin turns. The Notch can be a favorite of hikers.
The hottest trail up the mountain is the Long Trail, which could be accessed from the Notch. Heading north, the Long Trail leads past Elephant’s Head to Sterling Pond, an attractive and serene mountain lake.
Hiking with your Pet
Pets are permitted on trails until otherwise posted. Here are some primary rules:
* Dogs have to be on leash always on state park trails
* Pets are anticipated to have current rabies vaccination
* Please choose up after your pet
Hiking with Groups
If you’re hiking with 10 or extra people or charging fees, or publicizing the occasion, you’ll need to apply for a Special Use Permit.
Permit info >>Trail Running
Combining traditional long-distance running with the problem of hiking, trail operating permits the runner to move over variable, generally mountainous terrain whereas being immersed in nature. Vermont’s trail methods provide many opportunities to experience the game, from rail trails and park roads to summit trails.
Trail Runners Blog
Three pals were given the gift of the last word project by the Vermont State Parks Director: to trail run in as many stunning state parks as they could, write fascinating weblog entries about their experiences and take pictures of their glowing smiles whereas doing so!
Click on the links beneath to read their awesome tales.
Additional Hiking Resources