Vermont: short hikes or wooded areas where hunting is prohibited or uncommon?

[griffin]

I'm going to be in the Stratton area next weekend, and I"m trying to find a short hike or two, preferably where we won't be around hunters.

Any suggestions where to look?

(I know anything that requires a decent climb would normally be an option, but one of my companions has funky knees)

 

[una_dogger]

Equinox just outside Manchester comes to mind.

Happy Hiking.

 

[Maddy]

I love the Grout Pond area(on the back of Stratton) that you can access off route 100 in Wardsboro by taking the Arlington-West Wardboro Road, often referred to as Kelly Stand Road.
There is a network of easy hiking trails there including a nice pond loop. There should be maps available at the parking area. Just take a left on the dirt road that points you to Grout Pond. I suspect there might be hunters in the area.
Also, there is a nice 8 mile round trip trail to Stratton Pond that you can access a short distance from the Grout Pond turn off on Kelly Stand Road. It will be on your right. I think it is blue blazed.
And of course, there is the AT/LT to the summit of Stratton but not so good for bad knees.

 

[griffin]

Is hunting prohibited there, or are those areas just not popular with hunters?

 

[Maddy]

I suspect there might be hunters in the area.

I would call the Manchester District Range and ask him his opinion.
Personally, I like to stay out of the woods at this time of year.
You might try the Merck Forest. http://www.merckforest.org/
It's pretty in there with miles of easy walking.
You might want to call to see if hunting in allowed.

 

[Maddy]

Sorry, I didn't have time to finish this earlier.
If you check the left column and click into Merck guidelines, the is a paragraph a ways down the page that describes their hunting policy.
http://www.merckforest.org/trailguide/default.asp#
There are trail maps available on the site as well.
I think it's more "supervised" than other places so it might be a little safer. From my experience, someone is always around.