Ninth Annual Hiking Notice, 2021
Greetings, clompers –
If you don’t respond to this notice, I won’t bother you with more messages. If you do respond, you can indicate which hikes you are interested in, and I will contact you about a week before for just those, or you can say “all” and I will contact you for each hike. “Contact” means confirmation and directions. Do not show up for a hike without eventually signing up – changes often occur. And try to be on time – we wait only 5 minutes, but experience consternation if you are expected and not there. It’s good to give me your phone number if you think I don’t have it in case of a last-minute change, such as postponement due to bad weather. Please observe Corona precautions: masks as we gather, masks and maintain distance unless your companions agree not to.
I have heard from Betsy Howard, Nancy Lanoue, Jeff Pelton, Julie Schmitz, Sheryl Smith, Kathy Giurtino, Karen McGee, MikeJenzen, Julia Lloyd Wright, Linda Batchelder, Marianne Walsh, and Beth Tofel-Grehl, so they will hear from me as requested.
The hikes are being organized under the auspices of Weathersfield Parks and Recreation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. We expect a range of hiking speeds.
Are you new to hiking? Wear footwear that is broken in and appropriate for our uneven trails. Hikers join us at their own risk. Feel free to call Steve, organizer, at 263-5439, or contact him by replying to this notice. Experienced hikers, too, please ask questions or comment freely.
This list has 3 pages. Hikes continue into October. I have not listed Cardigan Mountain because it would be a mid-week hike, being too crowded on the weekends. As mountains go, it’s a moderate ascent, a 1,200 foot climb to the very open summit at 3,155’, three miles round trip. The drive from Ascutney takes about an hour. If interested, specify Cardigan.
The Hikes! …
Birding, Late May or early June:
Marianne Walsh is happy to lead a bird walk from the upper section of Bowen Hill Rd to the wetlands on the Springfield/Weathersfield town line on Skyline Drive. The walk would be during a weekday and would be early (6 AM ?). Marianne walks this section in spring, summer and fall. If interested, contact her at 802-885-9420 or mwalsh@vermontel.net.
Not confirmed but hoping: Old Roads in Weathersfield Bow
Jeff Pelton would lead this hike. His description: “Park at the Baptist Church parking lot in Weathersfield Bow. We'll walk north to the old Lyman Tavern, later the Danforth Tavern, thence west along Old Bow Road, thence south along the backside of the pond to the Old Springfield Road. We follow the OSR until we're cut off by the Interstate and then retrace our steps back. At some point we will bear off on a logging road and loop back to the village. As this is a Historical Society walk, your "side-hill cronchers" will have to bear some historical blather here and there – Jeff” (Respond to me – Steve – so I can let you know if this becomes a certain event.)
Saturday, May 15th, 10:30 AM Cooks Pond Beaver Walk & Talk (rain date May 22nd)
This is a Conservation Commission walk. No response to me needed. Meet at the Meeting House, top of the Center Road and park in the field. It’s about half a mile to the Beaver Pond.
Sunday, June 27th, 11:30 AM: To the Cabin
We follow Swift’s Logging Road up to the crest of Pikes Peak ridge. Then we follow a trail through the woods to Grace’s skiing trail, head down that, and finish on a woodsy trail to Steve’s cabin. There is a nice view there. We will linger – a bit of food provided. The distance to the cabin will feel like 2 miles, plus a short walk on the Center Road. Those who wish can do an extra walk to the well that held Herbert White’s body if we can find it – the well, that is.
Saturday, July 10th, 9:00 AM: Cathedral Rocks
This hike is on wood roads. Its length has not been calculated, but it descends to the River Road (Route 10) from Stokes Road, which is just short of Wellwood Orchard. We will spot cars at the end of the hike for a ride back to Stokes. There is a nice view near the top of the descent. The rocks are very big. Two hours? If wet, down and back up?
Saturday, July 17th, 2:00 PM: The Ancient Hemlocks
This route – notice I don’t say “trail” – is over fields and through the woods, up and down a logging road and over a rivulet or brook, including the headwaters of Mill Brook. You won’t have to remove footwear. There is some awkward footing and a walk through a field. The last half mile is up Little Canada Road, past the 1791 John Warren house. Dave Noake, the owner, enjoys giving a tour. The trees are about 500 years old. Your guide will use instinct to find his way through one section – he’s confident, despite an occasional debacle. Total distance 2 ½ M?
Saturday, July 31st, 9:00 AM: A Felchville Forest Walk
This hike heads through beautiful forest on well-maintained logging roads. The distance is about 3.5 miles on a loop trail on moderate terrain. The main attraction is the forest. The previous owner, Fred Hunt, now deceased, was and is famous locally for this forest. The current owners welcome walkers. The location is off Tyson Road.
Saturday, August 14th, 9:00 AM: Little Ascutney
We will walk up to the ledges – very nice view – on a trail that in part is strenuous. There is first a long steady climb, then a steep ascent, and then a steady climb. We will have gone from the parking lot at 900 feet to the summit of Little Ascutney at 1,709 feet, though our device says less. The hike probably will take over two hours. It feels like 2 miles up, though it’s less.
Saturday, August 28th, meet at Downers’ at 9:00 AM: Mt. Tom
Don’t tell Mt. Tom, but this is a hill, not a mountain. The climb is 907’ to reach the summit at 1,357’. That climb, a little steep at first, is on a smooth carriage trail all the way up, passing the Pogue (Scottish for pond) on the way. The view of Woodstock in the valley below and of the surrounding area is lovely. Round trip of 4.6 miles. We won’t lose anyone this year.
Saturday, September 4th, 4:00 PM: “Up on the Hill” on conserved land near Charlestown
We will walk on trails up the hill to a view of Ascutney, a short hike of only a mile and a half round trip. Some people last year added some of the forest walk to that excursion. I searched “Up on the Hill UVLT” and went to the website.
Sunday, September 19th, 4:00 PM: Ferry Road and the Connecticut River
This generally level route with one steep descent of about ten yards heads down shaded Ferry Road and into Skyline Nursery. Soon it follows the river, sometimes with views. At one point the remains of the huge Consul Jarvis sheep barn can be glimpsed. (Used to be – high corn last year!) The total length is about 2 miles. Carol Orth is the leader.
Saturday, September 25th 9:00 AM: Windmill Hill, the Pinnacle
Rated as a moderate climb, but a significant one, this well-maintained loop of 3.8 miles goes through a forest to an excellent view at the top. There are informational markers along the way. The car ride from Ascutney Park and Ride will take about 40 minutes.
Saturday, October 2nd, 8:00 AM: Ascutney Mountain
We will go to the fire tower and the Brownsville Overlook. We will go up the Weathersfield Trail, but people wanting a less strenuous hike (.7 miles up) could drive up and meet us at the top, we hope. I might join that shorter climb. We leave early because parking later is a problem.
Saturday, October 9th, 9:30 AM: Cooks Pond Loop
This is a route on wooded dirt roads more than on trail. There is a lovely framed view of Mt. Ascutney from the south end of Cooks Pond. Other mountain views occur at later points. Difficulty: easy to moderate, with one long incline and a shorter one. Distance: almost 3 miles.
Other days in October are open for rescheduling and maybe Mt. Cardigan