Park events

Brighton State Park

Guide Name: John Predom, Green Mountain Club NEK Volunteer and Vermont State Parks Staff

To register or for more information: gmcnek@gmail.com

Meeting Time: 10:00 am

Meeting Location: Meet at the entrance gate to Brighton State Park campground, 102 State Park Road, Island Pond.

Hike Description: We are hiking Shoreline Trail to Pine Point. This is considered an easy 1 mile out and back. Depending on the snow depth we will either use snowshoes or micro-spikes. If everyone is having fun, we may explore some other trails as well.

Bomoseen State Park History Hike

Guide Name: Caitlin Gates, Vermont State Parks Volunteer

To register or for more information: caitlin.s.gates@gmail.com

Meeting time: 10:00 am

Meeting Location: Meet at the Bomoseen State Park Gate, 22 Cedar Mountain Rd., Castleton, VT 05743

Hike Description: Easy, one mile, family friendly hike that winds through some of the quarries, rubble piles and building ruins of the West Castleton Railroad and Slate Company. Traction aides and/or snowshoes required depending on conditions.

Big Deer Mountain, Groton State Forest

Guide Name: Danielle Schneider, Vermont State Parks Regional Operations Manager

To register or for more information: danielle.schneider@vermont.gov   

Meeting time: 9:30am

Meeting Location: New Discovery State Park winter parking area, 4239 VT RT 232, Marshfield, VT 05658

Hike Description: Moderate hike up Big Deer Mountain from New Discovery winter parking area. Two miles round trip, mostly level hike with steep ascent in final 200 yards. Depending on conditions, snow shoes and/or traction aides, and hiking poles recommended.

Bartlett Mountain Loop, Willoughby State Forest

Guide Names: Cathi Brooks and Sue Winsor, Green Mountain Club NEK Volunteers

To register or for more information: s.j.p.winsor@gmail.com

Meeting Location: Westmore Parking Lot, south of Lake Willoughby on Route 5A

Meeting time: 10:00 am

Hike description: This moderately challenging trail follows the CCC Road in Westmore for about 2.5 miles then we will turn on to the Bartlett Mountain Loop which is about 2 miles, returning on the CCC Road. Total miles is about 6.5. This is also a x-country ski trail and if the trail has been groomed SNOW SHOES WILL BE REQUIRED. Skiers are also welcomed. If there is only a little snow and the CCC Road is packed from previous traffic, micro spikes should be carried to be on hand if needed.

Allis State Park Hike

Guide Name: Rebecca Roy, Vermont State Parks Interpretive Program Manager

To register or for more information: Rebecca.roy@vermont.gov

Meeting Location: Allis State Park entrance gate: 284 Allis State Park Road, Randolph

Meeting Time: 10:00am

Hike Description: This is an easy two-mile hike from the entrance gate of Allis State Park, up the park road to the fire tower in the day use area, and then down through the campground. Snowshoes and/or traction aids may be required depending on conditions.

Finding the nine geocaches on Mt Ascutney and the three in the State Park Campground was a great summer challenge and a great deal of fun.  A few people from out of state returned to the State Park several times to meet the challenge to find them all. These are only a few of the many who combed the mountain to find the caches:

Stephanie Lawrensen            Chelmsford, MA

William Hamson                     West Tisbury, MA

Mikayla Rypkema                   Fairfax, VA

Ashley Dion                            Windsor, VT

Izzy Emmons                          Starksboro, VT

Ethan Sausville                       Vergennes, VT

Jim Congdon                           Brownsville, VT

Andrew Correia                       Brownsville, VT

Melyssa                                   Hudson, NH

Brian Rivard                            Hinesburg, VT

Owen Gagne                           Concord, MA

Kelly Kentigian                         Saco, ME

Margery Storey                        Rome, NY

Lauren Clough                         Greenfield, MA

Special congratulations to Ava age 6 and Sara age 8 who, with help from their parents, hiked to and found almost all of the caches.  Congratulations everyone!

Look for another geocaching challenge next summer, take the challenge, and join the fun!

Looking for those perfect shots of the changing leaves in the Quechee Gorge? Join the Park Interpreter on an off-the-beaten path hike down into the gorge.

Learn about the trees of Quechee State Park and indulge in their unique saps & syrups.

Meet at the Visitor Center.

Explore the Quechee Gorge with the Park Interpreter and learn about the history of the park & the gorge. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Get up close with extirpated animal furs and skulls, as well as examine common VT woodland creature tracks. Meet at the Visitor Center.