This is a Trip Report in pictures from our summer climbs and times in Vermont. All these peaks are in the Green Mountain Range of Northern Vermont. We did no overnight trips, but just went out early, and often spent all day in the mountains. We climbed a combined total of 7 peaks. Our friends Drew and Jane are inveterate mountaineers, who have joined me for trips in Alaska (where we first met in the early 80's), and New Zealand, and with Lizzie and our sons we have shared long backpacking trips into the Rockies, and of course, the Sierra. We finally got back to their homestead in far northern Vermont to join them in their own mountains. Our plans to explore further north into the Canadian Ranges were foiled by the sad circumstance of Drew's new cancer* treatment schedule, so this time with them was bittersweet.
*Metastatic prostate cancer- Damn!
The mountain climbs we did in the Green Mountains were fantastic! Those mountains could not be better named, you feel like you are climbing an incline forest. Often you are hauling on roots, tree trunks, and branches, and on some of the summits, you need to continue right up into the trees to get the views. Our routes sometimes took us on and off
The Long Trail, which runs for 272 miles along the spine of the Green Mts., from the Massachusetts state line to Canada. I read that it is the oldest continuous hiking trail in the U.S., and was the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail. We were fascinated by the green scenery, and the great variety of plant life and fungi. We had hopes of seeing Moose, and Black Bears on these hikes, but saw only their scat and one perfect Moose antler. Lizzie and Jane did see a big Bear very near their land, and later on, the Bears showed up again to help out with the pear and apple harvest! We saw Beaver on several occasions, and chipmunks and squirrels; frogs and snakes; and amazing birdlife. Okay, here it is in pictures:
The very green "Green Mountains."
Waterholes are great destinations after work, on steaming hot summer days.
Our friends homestead is 120 acres of
off the grid land, in way northern Vt. It is a third of a mile from the gravel road, and in winter, they either ski or snow shoe in, hauling supplies on sleds.
Check out their snow shoe collection, and their kid-sized skis.
Vermont really feels like a mountainous land. These peaks can climb up 2,000 feet from the valleys below.
Saw Beavers in this pond. The berry bushes are Winterberry.
Our first mountain hike was a long haul up first Big Jay, and then Jay Peak (3786' & 3865'). Jay Peak is just 6 miles from Canada and we're less than 10 miles from the Canada border at our friend's place.
Near the summit of Jay Peak, looking over to Big Jay, and on into Canada. It was a great day; we were experiencing totally different mountains.
The top of Jay Peak is nicely rocky, but since it is also a ski resort, there are a few buildings too.
Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.
