Vermont Winter Hiking Info

[lumberzac]

I’d like to do some hiking in the Green's this winter. Almost all of my hiking experiences have been in the Adirondacks, so I don’t know much about the trails in Vermont. Does any one have any info on good routes up Camels Hump or Mansfield or general info about hiking in Vermont (any special regulations I should know about)?

 

[stoopid]

Next weekend myself and 2 friends (hiking buddies, you met one of them already I think) are heading up Kellystand Road to do some car camping. We may do a hike if you interested in just getting out and seeing what the Green's have to offer.

I personally love camping in Vermont as it's a lot less crowded and the locals are friendly. I haven't seen a ton (only been in the Greens maybe 10 times), but there are some nice vistas 15 minutes from the main/dirt roads. A lot of scenic and remote ponds too. Reminds me of the Catskills in wilderness beauty. I'm hoping to do some of the long trail next summer.

Prices on gas and other taxible items are cheaper to!

There are trail books available (contact the green mountain club?). EMS should have some too. I'll try to remember to check when I'm there tonight.

The regulations are similar but not as restricted as the ones in the high peaks. The trail guide should outline the regulations.

http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/

 

[stoopid]

Looks like Vermont's closed for the winter

http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/contact.htm

Called the recreation/Parks number and got voicemail.

 

[Waumbek]

I woke up this morning looking at the west side of Mansfield, which was entirely white after last night's snow fall. Gorgeous.

 

[alpinista]

There are several guides that have good info on hiking in VT: the Long Trail Guide and the Day Hiker's Guide to VT, plus an LT map, and you're pretty much good to go. You can order these publications/maps at the Green Mountain Club Web site: www.greenmountainclub.org

 

[Maddy]

Stoopid,
Where are you car camping on KellyStand Rd??? Will you be hauling your gear down to Grout area?
My friends and I are thinking of going up there in January but we were going to pull our pulks over to Grout. I know you can only drive in so far because it's closed in the winter.
Any snow there yet???
That is such a pretty place as you have the Somerset Reservoir and Statton Mountain or Stratton Pond right there. Easy access to both.

 

[stoopid]

Stoopid,
Where are you car camping on KellyStand Rd??? Will you be hauling your gear down to Grout area?
My friends and I are thinking of going up there in January but we were going to pull our pulks over to Grout. I know you can only drive in so far because it's closed in the winter.
Any snow there yet???
That is such a pretty place as you have the Somerset Reservoir and Statton Mountain or Stratton Pond right there. Easy access to both.

Unsure where the "grout" area is (probably been there, just unfamiliar with the term).

We were up there in the thick of winter this past year and got up to the spot where they stopped all road maintainence (even has a sign that says "the tow trucks are real expensive past this point" ). It's actually not all that far up the road before they call it quits (there's a big parking area on the left heading up, we'll probably pick one of those camps just down the hill form the parking area on the right along the stream).

So, we get to this point and one of our friends has this 4x4 he just got some decent tires on, so we head in, mostly kicking sideways towards the stream. Eventually the snow thickens and we're forced to turn around, but there were tracks heading further up. Must be a hell of a vehicle!

Snowmobiles are porbably common up there, we saw a lot of evidence.

This coming weekend is the overnighter, I'll report back with conditions then.

Zac, I checked EMS (Saratoga) and they had 2 Green Mountain Club guide books there.

 

[Rik]

lumberzac,
Looks like you got some good answers. I'll just add that if you're looking for someone to go with I have some interest in the Vermont 4ks in winter as well as some other Vermont peaks. Looks like we live pretty close so email me or pm if you want to get together.

 

[Maddy]

The "Grout Pond" road is across from the Kelly Stand parking area. It is a dirt road, closed to vehicles in the winter, and if you follow it all the way to the pond there will be a trail (stay on left of pond)near the pond that will take you to some leans-to's. That trail does circle the entire pond.
I took my 4 wheel drive truck down a closed road out there and was greeted by a ranger!
There is another road "rural #71" that is very long, closed to vehicles, and that would eventually take you out to Somerset reservoir. There is some decent camping along this road also.
If you are accessing Kelly Stand from Rt 100 these dirt roads will be on your left. Grout would be the first and then #71 approx 1mile futher down.
Have fun! It's one of my favorite spots.

 

[Louis]

Mansfield

My favorite looped hike on Mansfield is :up from the maple ridge trail and down the sunset ridge trail. That way you get to walk all along the ridge on Mansfield (can get very very windy)
Drive on the Underhill road as far as you can... follow the ccc trail all the way to maple ridge...

have fun

 

[Louis]

drive as far as possible...

hey..if you want to add some milleage to an 8 hours hike, start before the road ends, no problem, be my guest...
The 'as far as possible' means the road stops being plowed at one point so you have to stop...

 

[stoopid]

hey..if you want to add some milleage to an 8 hours hike, start before the road ends, no problem, be my guest...
The 'as far as possible' means the road stops being plowed at one point so you have to stop...

Hell, mind as well start in Albany while I'm at it... good 70 extra miles ought to get the ol' legs stretched.

 

[lumberzac]

Thanks for the input everyone. Hopefully I should be heading out to do this hike sometime in late Dec. or early Jan.

 

[stoopid]

Kellystand road was rather icy this weekend. Only a couple inches of snow on top of ice is slicker than you think.

Was cold Friday night (low teens). Found a ton of blowdown, so fire wood was not a problem. Roads are all clear/open.

Went down to Grout pond for the first time late Saturday in the dark (and light snow). Looks like a decent spot for some camping when it's not crowded.