It’s that time of year again. Time to get out and enjoy ever. last. second. of. sunshine. Here are a few spots to motivate you and your family to make the most of the fall hiking season!
Snake Mountain: A local favorite with a spectacular view. Plan on about 2 hrs of hiking time for adults, more with kids. It always takes us a try or two to find the trail head…for directions and details check here.
Ripton/Hancock area: If you’re headed up the mountain there are a few spots to check out including the Spirit in Nature Trails, the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail, and the Long Trail. If you drive to the top of the Middlebury gap (rt.125), park on the right and follow the Long Trail across the Snow Bowl and follow the path to Pleiad Lake. It’s actually a great kids hike; it’s relatively flat, short (about .5 mile to the lake), and there’s a few key entertaining elements…checking out the chair lifts and seeing the ‘naked’ ski slopes, plus a lake with great rock and stick throwing potential.
Lake Dunmore and Moosalamoo: Heading south around Lake Dunmore offers a few hiking options. Falls of Lana, Silver Lake and Rattesnake Cliffs all begin in the same parking lot. Depending on your little hikers you can make the trip as long or as short as you want.
Trail around Middlebury (TAM) is a great option for families with little ones in tow. There are many access points that allow for short ‘hikes’. Two favorites are Wright Park (enter either at the Belden Dam area north of the park or at the southern entrance off of Seymour St.) and Battell Woods (enter either on rt. 7s across from Shea Motors or on Seminary St. Exd.). Both offer relatively flat wooded trails with ample opportunities for exploration.
Mt. Philo: North of town, this is a great option if you have a little one because there is a stroller friendly path as well as a wooded trail. That said, expect a workout, those strollers get heavy going uphill!
And just one more friendly reminder…hunting season is coming! Check out the VT Fish & Wildlife Calendar for specific hunting dates.