Smugglers Notch - end of season

Smugglers Notch is closing this coming Sunday. Today will be my last day. It was the worst winter I can remember for skiing. With that said I made it to Smugglers Notch 8 times and all of the days were good ones. This was no exception. There was about 3 inches of new snow up high. Not a lot of trails open but FIS to docs was good all day. I also had some Spring skiing in the afternoon off the Sterling lift. Nice blue sky day with good views. You could see Mt Washington from the top of Madonna.

What remains for this winter is hiking and skiing the closed mountains. Bolton is an option now. Stowe is still open so that will be an option later on in April and early May.

Sterling trails in foreground. Mansfield in background.

Looking up FIS

Mansfield from top of Madonna

Riding the lift

Looking down FIS

This one and next two are Docs

Mt Abe

Very little snow left in the mountains. It was sunny, blue sky, and somewhat cold for this winter (~30 deg). Very little wind which made it seem warmer and no jacket was needed until the very top. A nice day to be outside and felt like Spring due to the intense sun.

Went skiing the previous Wed and it was 50+ degrees at the mountain. Spring skiing on trails that had snow making. Trails with no snow making are done.

Down on the farm

It is mid March but feels like late April. Temps in the 50's and a sunny weekend spent in Lincoln VT. Sat was a trip to Whiting, South 45 minutes from Lincoln, to pick up some hay. After loading the hay, conversation with the farmers turned to a variety of topics including how much lime to put on a field, spreader implements, and fishing. Interesting to see people take the time to chat after getting the work done. We noticed that the pond we skated on the previous weekend was open water.

After unloading the hay we went to see the Starline Rhythm Boys in downtown Lincoln. They were playing at the town hall. Close by and easy to get to. A lot of good local dancers and a fun band. They know how to put on a performance. Particularly the stand up base player. At some points he had the base down on the stage and was playing it like a guitar. Someone came out of the audience to play a piano that was next to the stage for one of the songs. He fit right in!

The next day I walked down S Lincoln road for maybe 2 miles to forest road 201. After going down forest rd 201 there is a parking lot for the Cooley Glen and Emily Proctor trails. I went on the Cooley Glen trail which follows the New Haven river for a while. I turned around before the trail headed up onto the ridge and the long trail. The Emily Proctor trail also goes to the long trail further South. Both trails are about 3.5 miles long. I also noticed that the Catamount Trail crosses S Lincoln road about a 1/2 mile before FR201. Nice day and comfortable walking temperatures.

Other time was spent checking out the New Haven river closer to Lincoln center. Some nice waterfalls and places that look like good swimming holes in the summer.

The house of Jess

Field and barn

Next 5 pictures are the New Haven river

Feila, Buttercup, Jess, Ruby, Tiger Lilly

Near catamount trail entrance

Near catamount trail entrance

Mt Abe from S Lincoln rd

Starline Rhythm Boys

Skating one week earlier below: