2 Hikes near Mt. Snow,VT

[4check]

I'll be at Mt. Snow for a week and am seeking advice for nearby hikes. I'd like to keep the drive to an hour or less. I'm looking for 2 different kinds:

1. Family hikes up to around 4 miles - doesn't have to be flat.

2. A 10 mile or so dayhike with some good mountain views. I have the Long Trail book and the Stratton Mountain/ponds loop seemed like it might be an option here.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[blackmountain]

a couple

the stratton pond loop (up to the summit, down to the pond, back out the l.t.) is a nice hike, but not close to 10 miles (i don't think). i used to do the loop, including some time out on the summit and at the pond, in 3 hours, at a good clip. just doing the walk into the pond could be good with the family. the loop could be extended by doing part of the trail around the pond.

another nice short hike, with a little vertical, is the trail from wilmington to the the peak of haystack. nice little used trail/ski trail continues to mt. snow.

down the road in brattleboro either black mountain, wantasticut, or madame sherri's make some nice family hikes to little peaks and ponds.

heading west on rt 9 from wilmington you could connect with the LT going north or south for nice day hikes.

 

[Maddy]

There is a network of trails at Grout Pond directly across the road from the LT Stratton Mountain. They are not difficult. One of them takes you to the North End of Somerset reservoir.
And there is http://www.equipesport.com/equipe_hikes.htm
You will be right there and can stop at their shop at Mt Snow and get the maps.
Also if you want to check out Harriman reservoir take route 100 going South out of Willmington. Rt 100S branches off to the right. Stay right.
Go 1-2 miles and you will see a sign for FLAMES riding stable on your right. Follow this road (turns to dirt) straight all the way to the end and you will be in the parking lot. It a wonderful place to swim (no lifeguards), nice visuals, and they have picnic tables and barbecue grills. You could even go there in the evening after hiking and have a great time. Dogs are welcome there.
There is just so much in that area of VT.
Have fun.

 

[jfb]

There's the short hike to the fire tower in Molly Stark State Park.

The Stratton Mt. loop is also a good one.

Mt. Greylock is just about an hour away, with a good variety of trails.

Mt. Equinox is also about an hour away.

There's also the Long Trail up Bromley (to a lookout tower) and the alpine slide at the base of the ski area is fun for kids of all ages.

 

[Toe Cozy]

I posted this a while back. I would highly recommend a hike up to Hamilton Falls.

After this kind of rain, I'm a fan of a hike along the easy path of an old railroad next to the west river in Jamaica, VT. Then turning up the trail to Hamilton Falls . There are rock ledges that jut out from the side of the hill where you can feel like you're hanging right out in the air above the falls. The whole walk is filled with the unending sound of rushing, surging water. So much so that by the time you're nearing the car you can't wait for the silence that comes after getting in and shutting the door. Sort of like getting out of the wind after being in it all day.

Also, I bet that Lye Brook Falls would be pretty great after all this rain. It was good in the early spring this year. You can do this as part of a backpack jaunt to the Stratton Pond Shelter on the LT.

Guess, what? It's still pouring!!!!

Or why not head up to Killington for your 10 mile-er? The LT up is a great hike and maybe you'll run into some AT thru-hikers just before they branch off from the LT and head over to NH.

Over in Wallingford (off of Rte 7) is White Rocks National Recreation Area. At the top of one of the trails is this crazy area where people have built all sorts of carins and rock sculptures out of the nearby stones. It's pretty wacky. That is also on the Long Trail. That's a fun place for kids too.

Griffith Lake and Baker Peak is a nice hike too.

If you want any more specific directions to these places PM me. I have my gazateer right here with me at work.

Have fun.

Also, in case it's warm enough you might want to check this link out too:
Swimming Holes

 

[bcskier]

Haystack Mt.

Here is the description for Haystack Mt. (3425 ft.) from an oldish edition of Dayhikes in VT:

From the partially wooded conical summit (see USGS Wilmington) there are local views of Haystack Pond and Mt. Pisgah (Mt. Snow) to the north; and Harriman Reservoir and Lake Sadawga to south. More distant views include Mt. Ascutney to the northeast, Mt. Monadnock to the southeast, Mt. Greylock to the south, and Glastenbury Mt. to the north. The USFS trail to the summit is unblazed but the route is well defined.

From Vt. 9, about 1.1 mi. west of the traffic light in Wilmington and 5.8 m. east of Vt. 8, turn north onto Haystack Rd. (0.0 m.), continue past a road to the left (0.3 m.), and then turn left onto Chimney Hill Rd. at a staggered four-way junction (1.3 m.). At the next junction (1.6 m.), turn right onto Binney Brook Rd. and begin a steep and winding climb past several intersecting roads of the Chimney Hills development to the trailhead (2.7 m.), which is marked with flourescent orange pain and a faded USFS trail arrow. Limited roadside parking is available in the vicinity.

From Binney Brook Rd. (0.0), the trail trends to the northwest on an old road. Ascending easily, the trail quickly ignores a fork to the right, passes through a chained gate, and follows the brook. After crossing the brook (0.6 m.) and passing a water main, the trail bears to the left off the road (0.7 m.) and begins an increasingly steep climb past limited views to the south and west (1.0 m.) before swinging sharply to the right and continuing to the summit (1.3 m.)

Summary: Road jct to summit, 1.3 m.; 980 ft ascent; 1 1/4 hr. (Rev. 3/4 hr.)

Personal note: You can increase the length of the hike considerably if you'd like by returning to the ridgeline from the summit (the spot mentioned in the above description where you "swing sharply to the right" and continuing north on the snowmobile trail which will take you first to the summit of Haystack Mt. ski area and then Mt. Snow further on. Spot a car at the base of either ski area to make it a one-way trip. Download a topo of this trip or get a map from the hardware store in Wilmington.

 

[4check]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I had a LONG time to read my Long Trail book while waiting at the doctor and I'm leaning toward Killington for the big one. Is there a best choice of the Long Trail route or the Sherburne Pass Trail (other than I believe there is an inn near the Sherburne Pass trailhead for a post hike beverage)? I'll have internet access so any more suggestions are welcome. My 5 year old son will flip when I tell him about the swimming holes.