Better Outside Than In: May 2015

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Burnt Rock Mountain

Since it was memorial day weekend I was looking for something outside the usual hikes. I knew Burnt mountain was somewhere up there. I had been up Ethan Allen Mtn earlier in the week. Going South from Camels Hump there is Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, and then Burnt Rock. I had other things going on and didn't get to the trail head until 3PM. Based on no knowledge I figured Burnt Rock should be a 6 mile round trip hike. It turns out it is 12! Pulling into the parking area at Carse road there was one other car. I saw two people during the hike. The trail doesn't get much traffic so it is in good shape. A nice quiet hike through the woods heading past Huntington Gap where I ski a lot in the winter. Burnt Rock is interesting. It is below tree line but is open and there are views in all directions from different areas. I could see two lines of snow on Killington far to the South. Maybe they are still open?

Looking South to Sugarbush

Camels hump left, Ira Allen middle, and Ethan Allen to the right.

Lake Champlain driving home

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Biking North

I spent some time this Spring trying to find a nice bike loop North of Shelburne that stays away from roads as much as possible. I kept exploring and trying to reduce roads with traffic by finding side roads, dirt roads, and bike paths. This loop is 27 miles long with probably 3 miles of roads with traffic, 5 miles of side roads, and 19 miles of paths or dirt roads with no cars.

The route goes a short distance on Shelburne road and up Allen road. Before Allen hits Spear I turn left into some neighborhoods and work my way over to the bike path. The bike path goes to UVM where I cut through campus and come out on North Prospect street. Following North Prospect to the end I cross over onto the Intervale road. There are paths from there to Ethan Allen Park. When you come out of Ethan Allen park you need to spend a little time, less than a mile, on North Ave. At that point you cut left down to the bike path. Follow the bike path along the lake past Burlington to Oakledge park and then follow the bike path and cross Shelburne road back onto more bike paths.

A very nice ride with river front, lake front, and some woods. Pretty surprising you can do this going from Shelburne to Burlington and stay mostly off road.