Vermont's very own Green Mountain Enduro

With over 50 riders, music and food, perfect fall weather, and the phenomenal trail network at Shaw Outdoor Center (part of Norwich University) in Northfield, the Green Mountain Enduro was a great success, particularly for a first-year event. The field was comprised of pros, sport riders, and beginners. Racers competed in three timed stages, for which the climbs were casual and non-timed, and riders then put it all on the line for the descent. Riders had a great time and everyone had a smile on their face. 

Many thanks to Liz at the Shaw Outdoor Center, the many Norwich University volunteers, the Town of Northfield, and Onion River Sports for putting on a great event.

Follow these links for race results and more photos.  

Tour de Foliage

Our recent Marshfield-Cabot-Danville-Peacham-Groton loop brought us to such great places as Cabot Creamery, Mack Mountain Road, the beautiful and quaint New England village of Peacham, and Groton State Forest. Many of the loop's 50 miles were on dirt roads, and about 12 of the miles were on the car-less Cross Vermont Trail. The tour brought us through pages 41, 42, 47, and 48 of the Vermont Gazetteer. More importantly, it brought us past rural artisans like potters and Birdman Woodcarving, and definitely bring cash for the many farm stands and farmers markets you will pass.

This was a good one; here's the route: Hollister Hill Road (Marshfield) to Ducharme Road to Route 215 (Cabot) to Danville Hill (Danville - this is a long climb!) to Route 2 then Mack Mountain Road to Main Street (Peacham) to County/North County Road (this one is very rugged, so seek an alternate route on South Main Street), to Route 302 (Groton) to Route 232. Note that the route linked above does not show the Cross Vermont Trail, which was our actual journey. To get on this dirt path (it's fairly smooth with 3%-grade climbs or less) take a right at the parking area about one mile into the Route 232 leg of this trip.

The Couching Lion

Winter Headlamp Run Series

This past Sunday we got a group of eight together for a headlamp run and dinner. We're working on getting a crew together to head out weekly or bi-weekly into the late fall, winter, and early spring nights to recreate together: running, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, or skiing, followed by a group dinner and to be hosted at locations around the central VT area. This is a great way to stay active and social throughout the dark months, instead of sitting at home and hibernating. All you need is a good head lamp!

Fall Back [Spring Forward]

As the weather reports roll in warning of the inches of snow that could accumulate overnight (eeeee!!!), I am warming up by the fire after a brisk walk with the dog looking back through pictures from some of our Fall adventures. Fall is a great time to reflect, to look back; Spring energizes us into forward motion (towards the garden, out the door, go, go, go). This contemplative feel to the season may be why I enjoy hiking in the Fall so much. It's a slower pace activity and it gives you time to mull, clear the head, get inspired. And, with the snow on the way, what better reason to go head up into the hills: To see the mountain-top winter wonderland! While that is on the agenda for tomorrow, today I will share some photos from a favorite fall hike: Hunger Mountain. For extra adventure, running the entire ridge is an amazing hike; but for those not up for the 12 miler day, even an side adventure over to Hogback Mountain or down to White Rock is a treat. The latter is exactly what we did with friends on a recent October outing. Enjoy! And Happy Trails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween: It's time to ride your bike and your skis!

Mountain Biking in National Forest - pretty cool!

We recently got a tour of the new trails in the Moosalamoo/Silver Lake area in southern/central Vermont. What a treat! Patrick Kell himself (of Vermont Mountain Bike Association fame) led a group of 20 or so from Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New York. It was great to see the new trails and all the hard work that went into making them, and even better to make new friends while we were out there. Take a look at some of the snapshots we got throughout the day!

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Philo: Hurray for Vermont State Parks!

Tristan and I recently spent a few days in Burlington with the Vermont Sports tent at the Nor'Easter Festival. We decided to make a trip of it and stay there, and we picked a campground that offered a walking distance commute to the festival each day. I'm not going to name names, but the campground rhymed with Morth Meach Mampground. So there's a hint for you. Anyways, this campground was not my cup of tea - there was a cart that drove around at all hours, our site was about 10 square feet, there were no trees, and there was nothing appealing about having a campfire practically in the road. It was crowded, loud, bright, and sounded like the city. And we were wedged in between the intersection of two roads. Not fun.

So we abandoned our [very expensive] site at said unnamed campground and headed to Mt. Philo - we had heard this was a good one. And was it ever! Vermont State Parks never disappoint.

We drove up and up and up to the top of the mountain in the dark, where we met Nick the caretaker.  The sites - only seven of them - are actually on the way back down the mountain (it's a one-way road that winds up and back down) on a little saddle of Mt. Philo. We pulled into our site, stepped out of our car in to the blackness, and heard only crickets. Perfect!

That first night we started a fire, set up camp, imbibed, played checkers, and made chicken fajitas on the grill over the fire (the recipe's super easy - see below!). What a great night, and what a great weekend. We have always been fans of the Vermont State Park system - Smuggler's Notch Campground is a favorite of ours, as is Underhill State Park. We're sorry we didn't just go there in the first place! If you are ever in the Burlington area, of just south of that area, we highly recommend Mt. Philo for camping, and we hear the hiking is nice too!


Chicken Fajitas Over the Fire (feeds 2+)
2 chicken breasts
3 bell peppers
1 red onion
fajita seasoning
salsa verde
tortillas
tin foil

Wrap the chicken breasts (whole) in foil along with the fajita seasoning and some of the salsa verde. Slice the peppers and onions and wrap these in a foil packet. (To make a foil packet: Place the food on top of a large square of foil. Fold the foil up, bringing the two edges together, then roll the edges of foil together and keep rolling down until you form a snug wrapping around the food. Fold in the opposite edges on top of the first fold, making a little packet.) The tortillas can also be wrapped in foil and warmed over the fire. The chicken took about 20 minutes over a good bed of coals; the peppers and onions were on for about 10 minutes. The tortillas were only on for 5 minutes or less. To make the fajitas, cut the chicken into strips, put the chicken onto a tortilla, top with peppers and onions and some of the left over salsa verde. Then enjoy! Yummm!

Hiking to a Secret Orchard

We've discovered a "secret" apple orchard that is within hiking distance from our front door. When we found it, we had nothing but sweatshirts to use as makeshift bags to carry out our loot. We made a wonderful sauce, apple crisp with vanilla ice cream, and these are some of the best eating apples we have tasted in a long time. Last night we headed out to our spot again, this time armed with packs and moving at a blurry-fast pace through fading light and a thickening fog settling into the fields. It felt like a renegade mission. Or a very secret operation. These orchards are all over the old woods of Vermont, particularly in overgrown homesteads. We can't say enough about the taste of these apples, the sauce that's filling our freezer for cold wintry nights, and the fun of discovering this treasure.

Does It Get Any Better Than This? Biking Through Fall in Vermont.

Here are some pics from a recent dirt road ride. One of the best things to do is pick up the Vermont Gazeteer, maybe rip out the page(s) of interest, stick them in your jersey pocket, and head out on your bike onto the endless dirt roads. You're bound to find adventure in the way of beautiful scenery, farm stands, tucked away bakeries and general stores, or roads that appear on the map to go somewhere but instead bring you to the most beautiful field (and dead end) that you have ever seen. Head back home just as the light is dim enough that you can't quite make out the potholes any longer: extra adventure points.

Happy Trails and Dirt Roads!

A Perfect Fall Hike: Spruce Mountain

One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is hike. It's a nice time to take in the scenery with the foliage, and the crisp air makes for more enjoyable hiking weather. In the end of September and early October, many of the days are clear and sunny, and the nights are crystal clear with bright stars and big moons - perfect for night hiking.

Perhaps the most iconic hike in central Vermont is Spruce Mountain in the Groton State Forest (Plainfield, VT) - a favorite of many. This hike is relatively short (2.1 miles each way) and fairly gently graded, with only a few steep sections near the top. And the summit rewards you with beautiful views to the east from a rock outcropping, from which the White Mountains can be seen on a clear, or even partly clear, day. For those with a higher sense of adventure, the rickety old fire tower offers 360 degree views - absolutely stunning when fall foliage is at its peak.

A recent Friday off from work had me heading to the summit of Spruce with four friends (two people and two dogs), and while the foliage was not yet turning, the views were still well worth the effort.

For those in good hiking shape, the hike takes only an hour-and-a-half to two hours round trip (not including time spent taking in the scenery or eating lunch at the top). For more information on this hike and directions to the trailhead, see the most recent edition of the Green Mountain Club's Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont, which can be purchased at Onion River Sports in Montpelier or at your local outdoor gear shop.

Happy Trails!