Around Bolton

Winter is having trouble getting going this year. This weekend was below freezing at night at least and there was 2 inches of snow on Sat night. It was warm enough the past week though that there is no base.
I spent both weekend days wandering around in the Bolton area. Hiking since there isn't enough snow to ski. The Bolton x-country ski trails are extensive and they connect to trails that go to Waterbury, Stowe, and connect with the long trail. On Sat I took some of my favorite x-country ski trails. Where I usually get on Telemark to go down I took a right onto Fox Hollow and then to Goat Path. There is a trail off of Goat Path that goes up to the Long Trail. I took the LT North to Harington lookout. You could see Bolton downhill trails from there and Mansfield. You could see Bolton would not be opening any time soon. On the way to Harington view I saw a Moose! The moose was coming in the opposite direction on the trail. When she saw me she ambled into the woods. No pictures since my camera was in my pack and I was busy watching and it all happened fast.
The next day I went with the GMC (Green Mountain Club) up the new LT heading North from the Winooski river. When the trail gets to the top of a switch back climb and flattens out we bush wacked right up onto a ridge that went to the summit of Stimson Mtn. This has a tower on it that used to have electricity and had lights used as a beacon for planes. The tower has a ladder on the outside to get to the top. We did not go up the ladder although it is doable. After going back to the LT I continued North back to the x-country ski trails at Bolton. This is a nice part of the trail with some views and mostly walking on a wide ridge. The day was mostly spent on new trails so comfortable walking on trails that were not eroded.

Bolton downhill trails from Harington view

Top of Stimson Mtn. Ladder on outside of tower to top.

Close to home

Base of Camels Hump and Shelburne Bay.

Smugglers Notch 12/11/15

I didn't have any grand expectations for skiing today. No snow at my house and the forecast called for 50 degrees today. I went to Smugglers Notch and it was a great day! There were only 4 trails but the man made snow was good and it was Spring skiing conditions. No ice and warm temperatures. They had one steeper trail open (Smugglers Alley) and that had bumps and was a lot of fun. I ran into Paul and Kris and skied a number of runs with them. It was their first day out as well. A fun first day of skiing for the season!

Pretty clear where the snow making is on this trail!

Richmond

Part way up Camels Hump via Long Trail South. Visit to Huntington gorge on way back.

Huntington Gorge

Driftwood

Mt Ellen to Mt Abraham

Up Mt Ellen (Sugarbush North) ski trails to Long Trail. Over Sugarbush South to Mt Abraham. Mt Ellen was closed. Lincoln Peak (Sugarbush South) was open.

Looking at Sugarbush South trails from Long Trail

Plane crash just North of Mt Abe summit

On June 28, 1973, a pilot on his way from Twin Mountain, Vermont to Newburgh, New York was trying to navigate through a thick cloud and struck some trees at roughly 3,500 feet elevation on Mount Abraham. He survived the plane crash, but parts of the place still exist on the mountain today. 
Plane info: Cessna 182N Registration Number N92431. 

Mt Abe summit

Top of Heavens Gate lift - Sugarbush South

End of Nov

Last day of sailing for the season 11/22/15:
Pictures by Jill

Sailing is done but skiing isn't ready yet. Some mtns are open with man made snow but no natural snow to speak of.

Bolton: man made snow

Bolton: 2 inches natural snow at the top

Hiking on Long Trail South from Middlebury Gap. Went past Skylight lodge to Bread Loaf Mountain.

Skylight lodge

Skylight pond?

Middlebury snow bowl ski trails (pretty gray)

Camel on Rt 7

Texas Falls

Moss Glen Falls

Moss Glen Falls

Up Bolton ski area to Heavenly Highway (x-country trail) to Ravens Wind to Long Trail North. Over Bolton mountain and ended at Mt Mayo. Nice stretch of the Long trail:

Not a lot of traffic on this trail!

Still green somewhere

Mansfield on way to Mayo from Bolton

Colchester Causeway (bike path):

Lots of ducks