Cross Rivendell Trail, Vershire Vt 11/23/12

[grouseking]

From Patterson Mtn

I don't tend to hike for a goal (like peakbagging)...I just want to see as many trails as possible. On Friday I completed hiking the Cross Rivendell Trail that goes from Flagpole Hill in Vershire, Vt, to the summit of Mt Cube in Orford, NH. I must say, the section of trail I hiked Friday was easily the most scenic, perhaps even better than the section on Mt Cube....so I'm glad I left the best for last.

I slept in a little bit late Fri morning, but soon found out that I wouldn't need a whole lot of time to hike this 6.8 mile section (about 8.0 if you count having to hike down the last summit). The trails in this section of VT are mellow, and easy on the feet. Off we go.

The trail immediately climbed up Chamberlin Hill, which one of three stiff climbs during the day. I could hear some gunshots in the distance, but nothing close by. The section consisted of treed in views.

Even a moose track

After crossing the first road, it was time to climb up Patterson Mtn. I was surprised by the quality of the views from this summit. It easily made the trip, and I plan on coming back to hike this short section.

Decorative clouds framing the view into western NH, with Smarts Mtn...front and center!

Zoom to Moosilauke

And if you really want to zoom, you can see Black Mtn, the Kinsmans, Franconia Ridge, and what appears to be the Presidentials (Mt Washington?)

One more for the road

A few feet down trail, I got the best view of Killington I could get.

Another 1/2 mile down trail, I found what I believe to be a snowshoe hare track, first of the year! If not snowshoe hare, then some sort of hippity hoppity animal.

Other sections of the trail resembled some trails further north, like this lowland spruce/fir bog and swamp.

taken just off trail

Continued in a minute.....

 

[grouseking]

Part two

I liked this beaver pond a lot...more decorative clouds added to the scene.

After hiking along an old woods road for awhile, I came to my last still climb of the day, Hawkins Mtn. There were no views from the summit, but it was still a pleasant area to explore. Plus, there was no hunting allowed here, which helped to keep me at ease a little.

Says, "violators will be eaten"

taken near the summit of Hawkins Mtn (about 2350 ft),a lot of ice up there, and a little bit of leftover snow in the shade.

There wasn't much "down" to the trail after the summit of Hawkins Mtn. It just led to a dirt road, and then I followed it for a minute to the final section of trail up Flagpole Hill. I expected at least a somewhat steep climb to the top, but there was only one very short section of "up" near the top. It took about 18 min to hike the 1.2 miles to the top.

Sure enough....a flagpole and flag at the top!

Views are growing in on the top, but I got a few zoomed in pics of distant peaks, somewhat similar to the top of Patterson Mtn.

First, a neat lenticular cloud...

Whites ahoy!

I arrived at the summit of Flagpole Hill about 2 hours ahead of schedule, so I had a long time to kill on the top. After awhile, the constant 20 mph wind chilled me to the bone (I was wearing shorts...don't judge!) so I made my way down to the road on some old woods trails/roads thanks to the spiffy Cross Rivendell Trail map. I really liked this last section of trail I completed. Next time I hike, I'd like to try it during peak foliage season, since at least 90 percent of the entire trail is deciduous forest.

I'll post a link to the rest of the photos at a later time...these are off my facebook page, but there are a few more when i post them to the photo webpage. Hope you liked!

grouseking

 

[Michelle]

Excellent! I bought the Cross-Rivendell trail map this year and hope to hike it next year as the 2 sections I've been on (Mt. Cube and up/over Sunday Mtn) were wonderful! Great pictures!

 

[Creag Nan Drochaid]

We hiked the Mt Cube section from Baker Rd yesterday, first time in several years. CRT is impressive on several counts:

1) Good layout, sensitive to the need to minimize our impacts, very few climbs straight up and down. I believe that is largely the work of Mr David Hooke, who got his start with the GMC, worked for the AT for some time, and settled in the Rivendell district.

2) Good-excellent blazing and signage, resulting in little to no confusion.

3) Hiring a crew of high school kids each summer to install rock fixtures and bog bridges, and a trailmaster to coordinate them and the section adopters. Trailmaster may be volunteer, I am not sure. But the fact CRT has this organization means most of the sections I have walked have better-than-average percentage of drains and steps where needed, especially for a locally-based group.

4) I saw places where more work is needed, and the drains need cleaning at present, but the fact they are there and still functioning even when leafed in shows that this trail gets the attention is needs.

5) Really stunning views. At the first view west through an openeing in the trees we saw heavy snow showers in VT headed our way. Thrilling!

Creag nan drochaid

 

[grouseking]

Excellent! I bought the Cross-Rivendell trail map this year and hope to hike it next year as the 2 sections I've been on (Mt. Cube and up/over Sunday Mtn) were wonderful! Great pictures!

Excellent! There is one section between The Cross Rivendell school and the trailhead for Sunday Mtn, that is a road walk/new trail sections that might not be on that map. Just make sure you have the map handy and keep your eyes open for the blazes!

We hiked the Mt Cube section from Baker Rd yesterday, first time in several years. CRT is impressive on several counts:

1) Good layout, sensitive to the need to minimize our impacts, very few climbs straight up and down. I believe that is largely the work of Mr David Hooke, who got his start with the GMC, worked for the AT for some time, and settled in the Rivendell district.

2) Good-excellent blazing and signage, resulting in little to no confusion.

3) Hiring a crew of high school kids each summer to install rock fixtures and bog bridges, and a trailmaster to coordinate them and the section adopters. Trailmaster may be volunteer, I am not sure. But the fact CRT has this organization means most of the sections I have walked have better-than-average percentage of drains and steps where needed, especially for a locally-based group.

4) I saw places where more work is needed, and the drains need cleaning at present, but the fact they are there and still functioning even when leafed in shows that this trail gets the attention is needs.

5) Really stunning views. At the first view west through an openeing in the trees we saw heavy snow showers in VT headed our way. Thrilling!

Creag nan drochaid

There are lots of great views along parts of the trail, plus the woods it travels through are so "New England." This trail has a lot of potential, and I am glad it was created.